Tall Trees Trail in Brockenhurst is a 1.5-mile circular walk home to the New Forest’s largest trees. It’s an easy walk leading from the car park and suitable for most fitness levels.
I spent a couple of hours here wandering around, and trying to get some nice photos.
Video of the Tall Trees Trail Brockenhurst
Tall Trees Trail Brockenhurst Information
Length of Walk
1.5m, can extend to 2.1m
Elevation
60m
Type
Circular
My Thoughts
An easy walk, generally flat, with firm ground although heavily trafficked places may be prone to get boggy.
Family-friendly, although close to a road so take care with little ones or dogs
Arrival
The car park for the Tall Trees Trail is located on Rhinefield Ornamental Drive. This is accessed via the main A35 that runs through the New Forest. Take care when crossing the cattle grid from the main road. This usually means there will be wild animals roaming around.
If you come in this way, there is a car park on the right called Brock Hill car park.
Just under a mile further up the road is the main Blackwater car park. The car park is a decent size, but it can fill up quickly on weekends and in the summer. Bear that in mind when planning a visit.
Here you’ll find plenty of signs telling you about the area. This is one of the few car parks in the New Forest with a toilet block. The trail starts right by the car park, but take care as you do have to cross the road.
Blackwater Arboretum
The Tall Trees trail starts just as you cross. The road is 1.5 miles in length but you can also head up to the arboretum, which will extend the walk to just over two miles.
My aim on this visit is to walk around and enjoy the New Forest while seeing what sort of photos I can get.
There are many different pieces, and you may find on some of the trees, a small plaque listing the type of tree.
And even though it’s not a very long trail, there are lots of seats dotted around.
Perfect if you need to take a break, sit down, and enjoy the trees and the scenery.
The path around the arboretum part is largely gravel and compact, so you shouldn’t have too many problems, even in the wet weather.
When I walked it, we had had a lot of rain, but the path was firm underfoot, with just a couple of places that had turned a bit boggy.
The arboretum loop can be walked in about 15 minutes if you don’t stop too many times.
Heading to the Tall Trees Walk
Heading back out the gate where I came it is a short walk back to the road, where you can join the start of the main Trail.
The whole trail could probably be done in 30 minutes, but you will want to stop and check out the trees.
I did the walk on a Tuesday, while the schools were in, so it was quiet. Be prepared, as coming in the summer, at the weekend or during the holidays, and it does get busy.
Car parks are busy and it can be a challenge, so that is worth considering.
As mentioned, the trail runs on either side of the road, which sees regular traffic. So important to keep an eye on young children and dogs, just in case.
As you wander around, be sure to look out for these wooden boards with facts and knowledge about what is nearby.
The biggest trees in the New Forest
The Tall Trees Walk in Brockenhurst is home to the New Forest’s biggest trees.
They are estimated to weigh 105 tonnes, and are still growing!
I paced around the foot of a tree, and it took me 21 large steps to get around the trunk, so it is quite a beast!
The trail twists and turns through the trees, and it was fun to stop, look around, and get some photographs as I went.
Before long, I had reached the end of this side of the trail, and the main crossing for the trail is near the other car park.
If the other one is full this one isn’t quite as big, so you have to get here probably quite early if you want to get a space or to be prepared to wait for people to come and go.
The other side of the trail isn’t quite as impressive, but there are still some cool things to see, so well worth doing.
Heading Back to the Car Park
If you are wondering if you are on the right track, there are some wooden markers, with a white painted line around the top. If you are seeing these as you walk, then you can be sure you are on the correct trail.
Just follow the posts with the white markers on, and they’ll take you all the way back to the car park.
And there we go. That is the Tall Trees Walk in Brockenhurst. An easy, family-friendly walk suitable for most ages.
Check out the official New Forest Website for more information, and also head over to Alltrails to see the route there. I also have another post you may like about another great New Forest location
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