When the crisp, cold weather settles in, there are some walks and views in The New Forest that fit the mood perfectly.

Due to the lack of roads and built-up areas, there’s an endless possibility of walks in The New Forest. The Forestry Commission have also made it very easy by creating their sign-posted gravel tracks.

We’ve whittled down 5 of our favourite walks to try out during the winter in The New Forest National Park:

5) Wilverley Inclosure
The Wilverley Inclosure walk is certainly the easiest to follow. There are also plenty of benches along the way so it’s perfect if you’re not an avid power walker.

Towards the end of the walk, you’ll find the Old Station Tea house. Why not stop off there for a hot beverage and a scone?

In its entirety, the walk will take about an hour and a half to complete. (If you don’t stop for a cup of tea that is!

4) Acres Down Walk
The Acres Down walk is one of the shortest and should take about an hour to complete.

Close in proximity to the charming hamlet of Minstead, you’ll easily find the beginning of the walk from the car park.

Located in a beautiful setting, this walk is mostly flat. The path is frequently visited by the forest locals; pigs and ponies!

Towards the end of the walk, make sure that you look out for the Highland Water Inclosure – there are some fantastic views.

3) Burley Walk
Similarly to the Acres Down walk, the Burley walk is quite short and should take about an hour to complete.

The walk comprises of both views of the New Forest heathland and wetland areas. You’ll also get to see where the old railway tracks used to be!

2) Matley Walk
Close to Lyndhurst, the Matley walk is located on the road to Beaulieu. This is one of the slightly longer walks and could take about two hours to complete.

This particular walk is fantastic in that it almost gives you a feel for the entirety of The New Forest.

The walk comprises of all of The New Forest’s habitats – ancient & ornamental woodland, pine inclosures, large grassy areas and open heathland.

1) Whitefield Moor
The Whitefield Moor walk gets the top spot, purely because there’s just something magical about it in the winter months.
There are two routes on the walk; a red route and a yellow route. The yellow route should take about an hour. The red route is considerably longer and could take an hour and a half/two hours to complete.

Along the way you will see the picturesque Rhinefield House Hotel in the distance, visible through the trees across the heathland.

Because the location of the walk is on a hill, the views are incredible – especially when taking a romantic walk in the sunset.

The last part of the walk looks like something out of a fairytale. Make sure you look out for the wooden bridge across Ober Water.