# New Forest Walking Festival 2026

![Walkers in the New Forest in autumn](https://new-forest.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/6a33ad5f-a5c2-447a-933f-0718d58b4f8f.jpg)

Saturday 17 October to Sunday 1 November 2026. You are very welcome to walk with New Forest Ramblers as part of the National Park's 14th Walking Festival. Our walks are led by volunteers. Expect company, a chat, and people who know the Forest.

## Two ways to join in

#### The National Park festival

The New Forest National Park Authority runs the two-week programme: ranger walks, family sessions in half-term, Halloween wildlife explorers, fungi, birds, night walks and more.

Book those events on the [National Park Walking Festival site](https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/walkingfestival).

#### Our Ramblers walks

Our usual volunteer-led programme continues through the fortnight, and some of our walks are listed as part of the festival.

See start points, maps and leader contacts on our [walks programme](https://new-forest.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/walks).

## Booking a Ramblers walk

#### Numbers are limited

Book in advance by text to the walk leader. Include how many places you need. The mobile number is on each walk on the [programme](https://new-forest.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/walks).

#### Phoning the leader

Leaders will do their best to answer, but there is no mobile reception in some parts of the Forest. Once they have left home they will not pick up a landline.

In heavy continuous rain, phone to check the walk is still on. Walks take place at the leader's discretion.

## On the day

#### Arrive and kit

Walks leave promptly, usually at 10:00. Please arrive 15 minutes early so you can change into boots (for example 09:45 for a 10:00 start).

Forest paths are uneven and often muddy. Wear walking boots and bring a waterproof. Most start points have no public toilets.

#### Food, cars and dogs

There is a drinks stop on every walk; bring a drink. Longer walks (Wednesdays and Sundays) have a lunch stop, so bring a picnic.

Most starts are Forestry England car parks with [parking charges](https://www.forestryengland.uk/new-forest/parking-information). Lock the car and do not leave valuables.

Keep dogs under close control when the leader asks, and not under walkers' feet.

### Find a walk

[See our walks programme](https://new-forest.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/walks)

[Book National Park festival events](https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/walkingfestival)

Walk leaders take reasonable care, but neither they nor Ramblers can accept responsibility for injury to people or damage to property on a walk.