More than 350 people joined expert-led guided walks for the 13th annual New Forest Walking Festival, celebrating the National Park in its 20th anniversary year. 

The 2025 Festival took place between 18 October and 2 November showcasing the New Forest’s stunning autumn landscapes, colours, and wildlife, and highlighting the wellbeing benefits of nature connections and activities. 

Dozens of organisers hosted events with around a third of the fortnight’s 47 walks sold out or having registrations closed, and numerous others close to being full.

People had the opportunity to join rangers and keepers from the New Forest NPA, Forestry England, and Lepe Country Park to pull back the curtain for a behind-the-scenes experience of the Forest. 

Attendees could learn first-hand about the National Park’s internationally important habitats, rare wildlife, and the importance of the New Forest code while enjoying time with various wildlife and fungi experts. 

Highlights of the 2025 Walking Festival included a heritage walk on the Breamore Railway Line with the project leaders working on improvements, a series of Ranger-led walks, a Young Commoner-led session, and multiple fungi identification events. 

Accessible and family-friendly sessions with Halloween, folklore, and woodland themes also proved popular. 

New Forest National Park Authority lead access and volunteering officer, Adam Vasey, said: 

‘2025 has been another fantastic year for the New Forest Walking Festival and it was lovely to see such enthusiasm in the National Park’s 20th anniversary year. 

‘The Festival is a real opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to experience the Forest and to meet some of those working hard to protect it, while discovering ways we can all help. 

‘A huge thank you to all the organisers and everybody who attended an event to take the chance to discover the wonderful New Forest.’ 

• Keep an eye on the Walking Festival webpage for news on future events. 
• Discover walking routes for yourself on the New Forest NPA website or by downloading the New Forest National Park Walks app.