Hemsted Forest is a region located within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the south of England. It features a diverse landscape of coniferous and broadleaf woodlands, characterized by gently undulating hills that offer continuous climbs and descents. This varied terrain provides a suitable environment for several sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, jogging, and more. The forest's network of paths includes both hard-surfaced roads and numerous unsurfaced tracks, catering to different activity preferences.
106
Routes
4.3
(126)
Average rating
1312
People visited

4.5
(14)
49
hikers
15.7km
04:07
130m
130m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(2)
13
hikers
1.78km
00:28
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(5)
134
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(11)
108
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(4)
157
riders
35.3km
02:39
330m
330m
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.0
(1)
6
riders
42.5km
02:26
150m
150m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
5
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
riders
8.12km
00:37
70m
70m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(9)
60
riders
20.0km
01:29
200m
200m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
12.5km
00:56
170m
170m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
4
riders
22.3km
01:33
320m
320m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(3)
29
riders
11.0km
00:54
110m
110m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

14
riders
12.7km
01:02
170m
170m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

3
riders
28.5km
02:02
400m
400m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

3.3
(3)
5
riders
14.2km
01:14
140m
140m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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22
riders
88.5km
04:10
1,020m
1,020m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.8
(4)
16
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.0
(1)
7
riders
30.6km
01:16
170m
170m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

10
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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14
runners
13.7km
01:38
130m
130m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Hemsted Forest offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, jogging, and mountain biking. The forest features a network of paths with both hard-surfaced roads and unsurfaced tracks. More than 20,000 visitors have explored the area, contributing to an average rating of 4.39 out of 5 stars on komoot.
Hemsted Forest provides a range of hiking trails through mixed coniferous and broadleaf woodlands. The terrain includes gently undulating hills with continuous climbs and descents. Trails vary from hard-surfaced roads to unsurfaced tracks, some of which can become muddy. For more details, refer to the Hiking in Hemsted Forest guide.
Yes, Hemsted Forest offers easy and family-friendly hiking options. Shorter loops like the 4.0-mile (6.4 km) Hemsted Forest Trails loop from Roger's Wood are available. Specific guides for these types of routes include Easy hikes in Hemsted Forest and Family-friendly hikes in Hemsted Forest.
Hemsted Forest is popular with cyclists, offering approximately five miles (8 km) of hard-surfaced roads and an extensive network of unsurfaced tracks. Popular touring routes include the Benenden Community Shop & Café – St George's Church, Benenden loop, and the Louisa Lake loop. Guides like Cycling in Hemsted Forest and Road Cycling Routes in Hemsted Forest provide more information.
Yes, Hemsted Forest offers traffic-free cycling options. The extensive network of unsurfaced tracks and some hard-surfaced roads provide environments away from vehicle traffic. Guides such as Traffic-free bike rides in Hemsted Forest can assist in finding suitable routes.
Hemsted Forest features a diverse landscape of coniferous and broadleaf woodlands, characterized by gently undulating hills. It is also home to historical sites, including the ruins of a medieval castle and other historical buildings. The forest supports a variety of bird species and is a known habitat for dormice.
Hemsted Forest can be accessed via public transport. There are specific guides available to help plan routes starting from bus stations. For detailed information on such routes, consult the Hikes from bus stations in Hemsted Forest guide.
The provided information does not explicitly state rules regarding dogs on trails. However, as a working woodland managed by Forestry England, it is generally advisable to keep dogs under control, especially around wildlife and other visitors. Visitors should check the official Forestry England website for specific regulations.
Komoot offers several guides for Hemsted Forest, covering various activities and interests. These include Family-friendly hikes, Easy hikes, Cycling, Running Trails, and MTB Trails.
Hemsted Forest is managed by Forestry England. The official website for Hemsted Forest is part of the Forestry England website. For general inquiries, the contact number for Forestry England is 0300 067 4500.
Hemsted Forest offers a varied and picturesque environment throughout the seasons due to its mix of coniferous and broadleaf woodlands. The terrain is characterized by gently undulating hills, providing interest for activities year-round. Some unsurfaced sections can become muddy, particularly after rain.
Yes, Hemsted Forest provides opportunities for mountain biking. The extensive network of unsurfaced tracks and undulating terrain are suitable for this activity. The MTB Trails in Hemsted Forest guide offers specific routes.
Routes in Hemsted Forest have an average rating of 4.39 out of 5 stars on komoot. This rating is based on feedback from more than 1,900 users who have shared their experiences in the area. Over 20,000 visitors have explored the forest.

