Hackfall Wood

Follow in the footsteps of artists and find great birds

This ancient woodland is cared for by both the Hackfall Trust and the Woodland Trust on a 99-year lease. It’s a Site of Special Scientific Interest and listed as Grade 1 on the historic parks and gardens’ register.

There’s something about the wild splendour of Hackfall Woods that simply inspires creativity. Nineteenth century writers hailed it as one of the most beautiful woodlands in the country, while romantic landscape artist Turner painted in the woods. What it must have looked like before clear felling in 1933 is now left to the imagination, but it still has original features such as grottos and glades, rustic temples and waterfalls, as well as carpets of Bluebell in spring and an impressive number of woodland birds. Natural regeneration of Ash, Sycamore Alder and Wych Elm has taken place and there is one area of ‘hanging’ oak woodland which must have missed the axe.

The first thing you notice is the steep paths down into the wood. There is a mixture of woodland birds – tits including Marsh Tit, Nuthatch and Treecreeper as well as both Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker. Older records show Lesser Spotted

Woodpecker and this bird may still be in the valley. Best to look for it in winter amongst mixed tit flocks. Both Pied Flycatcher and Redstart are possible in spring. The birds of prey include Buzzard, Red Kite and Sparrowhawk. Ospreys have been seen passing over in the summer. The river offers a mixed bag from Dipper, Grey Wagtail to Goosander. Winter thrushes can be found in the surrounding area while Blackcaps enjoy the Ivy berries in the spring with both Garden and Willow Warbler present along with Chiffchaff. The Ripon Rowel

medium distance circular path is 50 miles long and passes through the wood.