Epping Forest Centenary Walk

Essex, Gtr London

The route was published in 1978 to mark the centenary of the Epping Forest Act of 1878, which preserved this remnant of the Great Forest of Waltham from development. From Manor Park on the urban fringe, the walk heads north through a narrow strip of forest to Leytonstone, Highams Park, and the outskirts of Chingford. From here the route becomes more undulating and tree-covered as it passes Connaught Water and High Beach Conservation Centre to reach Epping.

The Centenary Walk can be combined with the Essex Way at Epping to make a 96-mile traverse of Essex into Greater London. From Epping the Centenary Walk provides a link to the Forest Way and then heads into suburban east London, mostly on green corridors.

There is an up-to-date (2019) description of a very similar walk included in the Cicerone guidebook listed below. This route includes variations on the original Centenary Walk described by Peter Aylmer, some reflecting changes to the Forest itself. It is covered as a Path Variant to this route named as the Epping Forest Traverse Walk on the link below.

The original Centenary Walk route was developed by Fred Matthews and Harry Bitten and published in 1978, with an updated edition in 1992. Matthews and Bitten, then members of West Essex Ramblers, between them created much of the LDP network in Essex. While the original publication may still be obtainable as a download and is interesting historically, walkers may prefer to follow an up-to-date description, albeit with some variations.

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Details:

Path Type:	Paths Marked on OS mapping
Attributes:	Average Gradients Forest/Woodland Urban
Start:	TQ419857 - Manor Park Station, Gtr London
Finish:	TL461015 - Epping Station, Essex
Open Date:	1978
Web Sites:	Annierak - Centenary Walk (Essex) [blog]

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Publications, Badges and Certificates:

Guidebook

Walking in Essex: 25 walks and a 96 mile 'across Essex' route  (Cicerone Press  - 2019 )

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