GPS Cycle and Walking Routescycle iconwalk icon

Swinley Forest Mtb and Walking

6.84 miles (11 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This forest in Bracknell has miles of good walking trails and some good mtb trails as well.
This circular route starts at the look out centre just to the south of Bracknell. From here you can follow trails heading south toward Bagshott Heath on the edge of Camberley. More trails then lead north past Rapley Lake and the Mill Pond before returning to the car park.

In the park you will find the excellent Swinley Bike Hub which hires bikes and gives full details of the trails in the park. These include a Green Trail, Red Trail and Blue Trail. The trails are suitable for riders of all levels, from beginners to advanced.
The forest is also a great place for wildlife with woodland birds including Nightjar, Dartford Warbler and Woodlark.

Postcode

RG45 7EX - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Swinley Forest OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Swinley Forest Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The Look Out centre has a nice cafe where you can enjoy refreshments after your exercise. There's picnic tables outside if the weather is good.

Dog Walking

The expansive forest is great for dog walking so you will probably see plenty of pets with their owners on a fine day.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The Three Castles Path passes through the forest and offers an opportunity to extend the walk. You could follow the trail north east to Englemere Pond or south west towards Crowthorne, Sandhurst and the lovely Tri Lakes Country Park. The longer Bracknell Circular Walk uses part of the trail to create a 25 mile loop around the forest.
The Wokingham Way passes through the area and the pretty Bramshill Forest is also not far away. Here you can explore the RSPB's Hazeley Heath and look out for red kites, dartford warblers and deer. In nearby Hook there's also some pleasant trails along the River Whitewater in the pretty Bassets Mead park on the eastern side of the town.
The Ascot Walk visits the forest from the train station in the nearby town. Here you can also visit the famous racecourse, home to Royal Ascot.
Just to the south you could pick up the Bagshot Park Walk. This takes you past the noteworthy royal residence to the pretty Rapley Lake. The Grade II listed house has been country home of Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex since their 1999 wedding.
The Three Castles Path passes through the forest. This historically themed long distance trail will take you from Windsor Castle to Winchester Castle, visiting the ruined Odiham Castle on the way.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Berkshire Walks page.

Photos

Hut Hill, Swinley Forest - geograph.org.uk - 115303

Two cyclists on Hut Hill, Swinley Forest. Looking down the hill to the small car park next to the A3095

Rapley Lake - geograph.org.uk - 1100592

Rapley Lake

Englemere Pond - geograph.org.uk - 106942

Englemere Pond. Most of the pond is occupied by reed beds.

Bracknell mill pond - geograph.org.uk - 938058

Bracknell mill pond

Wickham Bushes, Swinley Forest - geograph.org.uk - 114967

Wickham Bushes. A cleared area with a broad-leaved tree left to stand.

Windsor Ride, Swinley Forest - geograph.org.uk - 729327

The track on the right is Windsor Ride

Lake Ride, Swinley Forest - geograph.org.uk - 115304

Lake Ride. Looking east along this track which links Rapley Lake and Lower Star Post.

Picnic and play area, Swinley Forest, Bracknell - geograph.org.uk - 729308

Picnic and play area. This is by The Look Out visitor and discovery centre.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Swinley Forest.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Swinley Forest.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)