Haldon Forest Park - Forestry England

Whether you want a gentle stroll or an exhilarating mountain biking experience, there’s something for everyone at Haldon Forest Park. Open 364 days of the year, there is something for every interest to connect you with the great outdoors.

If you’re looking to entertain the family, get active, rediscover your connection with nature, or just make unforgettable memories, look no further than Haldon Forest Park.

Haldon Forest Park offers endless activities and miles of different trails. Ideal for families, runners, walkers, and cyclists of any age and ability. The Forest Park is set in the heart of beautiful Devon with some amazing views of the surrounding countryside. Discover easy going trails and a choice of stunning picnic spots, or head deeper into the forest for a more challenging hiking adventure. For thrill seekers, choose from cycling trails and activity areas, tree top adventures, Segway tours, the south west’s largest orienteering course, and more. With easy parking, toilets, and an on-site cafe, there is no excuse not to explore the forest at any time of year!

Things to do at Haldon Forest Park

Entertaining the kids

If 3,500 acres of forest to explore isn’t enough, don’t worry – we’ve got plenty to keep kids of all ages entertained. For little explorers, head out onto the Discovery Trail to discover play equipment dotted throughout the wood. Slightly older adventurers will enjoy challenging themselves with our Gruffalo orienteering course as they navigate their way between control points. Maps are available from the Info Pod for £1.50.

To burn off some energy, bring their bikes (or hire them on-site) to work up a sweat on our cycling and mountain biking trails. For those with a head for heights, check out the Go Ape Treetop Adventure, which will leave everyone with a sense of achievement.

Walking

Whether you’re looking for play and adventure or a bit of peace and quiet to observe the wildlife, Haldon Forest Park has the perfect walking trail for you. The Discovery Trail is shared between walkers and beginner cyclists, with plenty of seating stops and stunning views. For a more immersive forest walk, choose from the waymarked Raptor trail or Butterfly trail, or make up your own route. Visitors with reduced mobility can explore the forest with one of our off-road mobility vehicles, available to hire via the Countryside Mobility scheme. Our easy-to-use scooters can tackle forest terrain come rain or shine.

For a walk with a fitness boost, why not try Nordic walking? Bring your poles, or hire ours from the Info Pod, and stride out onto our waymarked Nordic walking routes.

Dogs at Haldon Forest Park

Dogs love Haldon Forest with exciting sights smells to explore and plenty of shade on hot summer days. There is always fresh doggy drinking water in the forest visitor hub, and some of our picnic tables have tie rings to keep four-legged family members secure while you eat.

Spend some special bonding time with your pooch with our exclusive activity: Forest Walkies with Wallace & Gromit. Take on Gromit’s challenges along the trail and solve Wallace’s crossword for a chance to win a dog-friendly holiday!

For happy times and waggy tails, please check out our guide for dogs in the forest.

​​​​​Cycling and mountain biking

Whether you’ve just bought your first bike, or you’re happy shredding through rock gardens, Haldon Forest Park offers fantastic natural cycling. Practise your technique in the skills area and find your flow on the pump loop, then choose from graded trails that wind through the forest.

Haven’t brought your bike? Our on-site cycle hire specialists are here to help with mountain bikes for all ages, electrically-assisted bikes, tag-a-longs and child seats, recumbent cycles, and trikes. All cycle hire is heavily discounted for over 55s.

Running

Lace up your trainers and head into the forest for a run like no other. Choose from our 1-5km waymarked running routes or make up your own route. Trail running is not just good for your fitness. Tune into the colours and sounds of the forest for a mindful experience to leave you feeling refreshed.

Go Ape at Haldon Forest Park

Scale the heights of the treetops with daring crossings, wobbly bridges, and zip wires. Choose from the Treetop Adventure for younger thrill seekers or the Treetop Challenge for older adrenalin-junkies. Pre-booking is essential to avoid disappointment.

Orienteering

For a walk with an added challenge, test your map navigational skills against Haldon Forest Park’s orienteering course. We have graded routes for everyone from complete beginner (white) to advanced (brown). Purchase your maps from the Info Pod (£1.50) or download them for free before you visit.

For younger explorers, try our Gruffalo Orienteering course with special Gruffalo-themed controls hidden along the Discovery Trail. Maps are available from the Info Pod for £1.50.

White, yellow, orange, and Gruffalo orienteering courses are accessible for off-road mobility vehicles.

Accessible Haldon Forest Park

For any help planning your visit to Haldon Forest Park, please contact us via haldon.rangers@forestryengland.uk or 0300 067 5826. Haldon Forest Park is a sunflower-friendly destination and our friendly team has complete disability awareness training. Our off-road mobility scooters are available to anyone aged 14+ who requires mobility support – you do not need to be registered disabled. To enquire about adaptive bikes, please contact the expert team at Forest Cycle Hire on info@forestcyclehire.co.uk or 01392 833768.

Eating and drinking

After your forest adventure, refuel at the Ridge Cafe. You’ll be spoiled for choice with delicious homemade light bites, locally-made cakes, and hot and cold drinks. Or bring your own picnic to enjoy in your favourite spot. There are picnic benches dotted throughout the forest, or pick a peaceful spot among the trees. Top up your water bottles with our free refill station next to the toilet block. To help us prevent wild fires, please never light a BBQ or fire in the forest.