The Tall Trees Trail and Blackwater Arboretum, Rhinefield

From Blackwater car park on Rhinefield Ornamental Drive the walk goes under the wooden archway and across the road on to the Tall Trees Trail. A gravel path runs between Douglas firs and redwoods planted in Queen Victoria's reign, among them the giant redwoods, the biggest trees in the New Forest. The route follows the trail north to Brock Hill, comes back on the forest tracks beside the Ornamental Drive and finishes through Blackwater Arboretum, a collection of trees from around the world with a trail of sculptures.

It is 3.2 km round with 6 m of ascent; allow about an hour. The grade is Easy: the paths are flat and mostly gravel, and the Tall Trees Trail has no gates.

New Forest ponies roam freely and the Ornamental Drive carries traffic: the trail crosses the road at chicane barriers, so take care with children. Barbecues and outdoor cooking are banned in the New Forest, to prevent wildfires.

Blackwater car park is a Forestry England pay car park, charged by length of stay, payable by RingGo with no cash; parking is allowed from 4am to 11pm, and there are toilets. The nearest station is Brockenhurst, about 4 km away.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.