Local Walks

Click on this map to see the various tracks throughout the forest along with some markers showing places of interest. You might find this map useful for planning your own forays into the forest. Blooms Gorse Cottage is on the eastern edge of the forest (see marker ‘A’). The quickest way onto one of the main trails in the forest is the go through the gate behind the kennels at the rear of the cottage. Bear right through the forest for about 50 yards and you will join a section of gravelled path shared by both the Adventure Cycle Trail (Blue Route) and the Family Cycle Route (Green Route). It is a 15 minute cycle ride or 30 minute walk from here to the Sherwood Pines Visitor Centre on the north side of the forest where many of the activities are sited. Go further south and the forest becomes quieter, particularly at its remote south-western corner. When on the unmarked tracks, do keep aware of your surroundings as it is easy to get lost among the labyrinth of paths. Sherwood Pines has 3 marked trails. They all start at the Sherwood Pines Visitor Centre but you can join them at any point on the route. This map shows how to join these trails from the cottage. Dragonfly trail – 1 mile (+ ¾ mile walk from the cottage to join the trail): Follow the white markers. An easy all weather surfaced trail, suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. This walk takes in some of the oldest trees in the forest with seating and a picnic bench beside the trail and at the Dragonfly Pond. All the play areas are found along this trail. Nightjar trail – 3 miles (+ ½ mile walk from the cottage to join the trail):  Follow the pink markers. An easy to moderate unsurfaced trail follows the Dragonfly Trail to begin with and then takes you through a variety of the habitats within the forest, ranging from mature pine to lowland heath land.

Rangers path – 4.5 miles (+ ¼ mile walk from the cottage to join the trail): Follow the brown markers. The longest walking trail, exploring the forest landscape from pine and broadleaf woodland and heathland. See how Sherwood Pines operates as a working forest. The walk offers a real chance to get some woodland solitude amongst the rich historical and natural features of the area.

Walks Outside the Forest Below are a couple of walks which start off in the forest but also take in other local landmarks. To join these walks, go down the drive from Blooms Gorse Cottage and turn left. Follow the track 500m and join the walks at the bottom of the hill at the picnic benches. An 8 mile walk that takes in Edwinstowe, the Major Oak and King’s Clipstone before bringing you back through Sherwood Pines, past Robin Hood’s Whetstone and along the 18th Century coach road. 14 Mile Five Parks Walk which takes you to Rufford Country Park, Old Ollerton, over Sherwood Heath, through Sherwood Forest Country Park and the Major Oak, through Kings Clipstone and then the Vicar Water Country Park before returning back through Sherwood Pines. For a shorter walk of around 5 miles, follow the route of the Five Parks Walk (above) into Rufford Country Park where you can take the path around the lake and visit the Abbey. To return, leave Rufford Park by the main entrance onto the A614. Turn left and walk on the pavement alongside the A614 for around 300m to the bottom of the hill. When you come to the entrance to Manor Farm you will see a track into the forest on the opposite side of the road. Cross the A614 and follow the track. You will join the entrance road to Centre Parcs which you walked along earlier on your way out of the forest. Here is a selection of other local walks outside the forest.