#walk1000miles partner focus
A walk in the forest does you good. And Forestry England - new challenge partners - have some of the most varied, rewarding and restorative miles to contribute to your total...
Why forests will make some of the most memorable miles this year.
FORESTRY ENGLAND MANAGE over 1500 of the nation’s forests across England and their mission is to connect everyone to them. Most people in England live within an hour’s drive of a Forestry England forest, so if you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to discover your local forest.
As soon as you step into a forest or woodland you’ve entered a unique world with its own ecosystem, moods and charms. And while it would be easy to clock up your 1000 miles, head down, until you’re out the other side, doing so would mean missing out on so many beautiful experiences that forest walking can provide.
Forests are about so much more than producing timber and providing homes for a range of wildlife. And for walkers, there are more than 1800 miles of trails to explore (almost two years’ worth!).
GREAT VARIETY
Forestry England’s trails range from short easy access loops to more challenging longer trails that get the heart rate up a little more. With stunning viewpoints, an array of wildlife to see and the backdrop of changing seasons, forest walks are never boring.
There are some trails that have special features to see too, such as sculpture trails with hidden art among the trees, as well as popular children’s trails and exciting finds like archaeological features.
Some of the bigger forests have a great range of facilities such as visitor centres, cafés, toilets and picnic benches. However, if it’s solitude you’re after, or perhaps something off the beaten track, it’s not difficult to find your own patch of wilderness in the whopping 250,000 hectares
(an area larger than the Lake District) cared for by Forestry England.
VITAL HABITAT
They are great places to take your binoculars to see a range of birds and other wildlife. With such a diverse range of environments – including moorland and heathland – some of Forestry England’s sites feature rare and exciting wildlife.
These include red squirrels in the likes of Parkhurst Forest on the Isle of Wight and Kielder Forest in Northumberland; pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies in Great Plantation, south Devon; and the reintroduction of beavers to Cropton Forest in Yorkshire and Greathough Brook in Gloucestershire’s Forest of Dean.
SUSTAINABILITY
While encouraging wildlife to thrive for future generations is one of Forestry England’s key goals, so too is ensuring enough timber is produced sustainably for all the vital products that we use daily. All their forests are managed sustainably and so to keep up with the demand of selling 1.4 million tonnes of wood annually, they grow no fewer than 18 million saplings in their nurseries to be planted each year.
WHY EXPLORE FORESTS?
As anyone taking part in #walk1000 miles already knows, getting outside is a great way to relieve stress, meet new people and keep in shape. But forests and woodland provide an abundance of sounds, smells and ever-changing surroundings that few other environments can compete with.
Even if you visit the same forest every time there will always be some new part of the forest to explore. Each season will draw new moods and new experiences, making every visit feel different. It may be snow balancing on the drooping conifer branches in January or a carpet of bluebells in May.
Being amongst the trees offers escape and allows you to immerse yourself in nature. They’re also ideal for walking in all seasons – sheltering us from the harshest rays of sun during the summer, the bitterest winds of winter, and the heaviest rain... at any time of year!
It's not difficult to find your own patch of wilderness