South Hanningfield, a region in the Chelmsford district of Essex, England, is characterized by its expansive Hanningfield Reservoir and surrounding woodlands. The area features a diverse landscape, ranging from flat sections to gentle undulations, making it suitable for a variety of outdoor pursuits. This natural setting provides opportunities for several sports like road cycling, touring cycling, jogging, hiking, and more. The Hanningfield Reservoir, an 870-acre body of water, is encircled by 250 acres of woodlands and is recognized for its…
92
Routes
4.5
(92)
Average rating
1655
People visited

5.0
(1)
7
riders
72.3km
04:27
480m
480m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5.0
(6)
29
riders
32.8km
02:00
260m
260m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(5)
27
riders
20.0km
01:16
150m
150m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
20
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.7
(3)
8
runners
4.89km
00:30
20m
20m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

48
runners
14.6km
01:32
120m
120m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

28
runners
8.39km
00:53
70m
70m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
runners
15.0km
01:35
140m
140m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(5)
175
riders
44.8km
02:12
290m
290m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.6
(10)
130
riders
32.4km
01:36
200m
210m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
75
riders
73.7km
03:24
530m
530m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
59
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

3.0
(4)
23
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(6)
29
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1.0
(1)
20
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
7
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(2)
6
riders
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
4
riders
31.3km
02:14
270m
270m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
44.6km
02:31
320m
320m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
South Hanningfield offers a variety of outdoor activities including Road cycling, Touring cycling, Jogging, Hiking, and Mountain biking. The region features 32 routes across these sports, with an average rating of 4.63 out of 5 stars from more than 1,200 ratings.
The Hanningfield Reservoir is an 870-acre body of water in South Hanningfield, encircled by 250 acres of woodlands. It is recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its nationally important populations of wildfowl. The reservoir is a central feature for many outdoor activities and offers scenic views.
Road cycling routes are available in South Hanningfield, utilizing quiet country lanes and offering scenic views. A guide for these routes can be found at Road Cycling Routes around South Hanningfield. One popular route is the "Hanningfield Reservoir – Stock Pub loop from Rettendon," which is approximately 20.4 miles (32.8 km) long.
South Hanningfield features numerous hiking trails, particularly within the Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Reserve and its surrounding woodlands. These trails offer opportunities for exploring natural landscapes and observing wildlife. More information is available in the guide Hiking around South Hanningfield.
Jogging routes are available in South Hanningfield, often utilizing the nature trails and woodland paths around the Hanningfield Reservoir. These routes provide diverse terrain for runners. A dedicated guide can be found at Running Trails around South Hanningfield.
Mountain biking trails are present in South Hanningfield, offering off-road cycling opportunities. For detailed information on these routes, consult the guide MTB Trails around South Hanningfield.
South Hanningfield is considered family-friendly, with activities suitable for various ages. The Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Discovery Park offers nature trails and bird hides. Easy hikes are also available, as detailed in the guide Easy hikes around South Hanningfield.
Dogs are permitted on many of the walking paths and trails in South Hanningfield, including some around the Hanningfield Reservoir. Specific rules may apply in certain protected areas like the immediate nature reserve, so checking local signage is advisable.
Amenities such as the Café on the Water are available near the Hanningfield Reservoir. Additionally, local pubs can be found in the surrounding villages, providing refreshment options for visitors after outdoor activities.
South Hanningfield features the Hanningfield Reservoir, extensive woodlands with ancient oak trees, and the Hanningfield Nature Reserve. The area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, known for its wildfowl populations and spring bluebell displays. Other nearby nature reserves include Crowsheath Wood and Thrift Wood.
South Hanningfield is a popular destination for outdoor activities, with more than 26,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The region's routes have an average rating of 4.63 out of 5 stars from over 1,200 ratings.
Yes, komoot offers several guides for South Hanningfield, covering various sports. These include guides for Road Cycling, Touring Cycling, Running, Hiking, and MTB Trails.
The South Hanningfield Parish Council can be contacted for official information. Their official website is southhanningfield-pc.gov.uk. The Parish Clerk can also be reached by phone at +44 1268 710820.
Parking facilities are available for visitors to South Hanningfield. Bike parking is specifically provided at the Visitor Centre near the Hanningfield Reservoir. Additional parking options may be available depending on the specific activity starting point.

