Blackwater Accessible Trail

Summary

AI generated summary
A short, accessible walking guide for the Blackwater Arboretum Trail in the New Forest. The route is a 0.7 mile (1.1 km) circular woodland walk on fairly smooth gravel paths, taking under an hour. It starts and finishes at Blackwater car park (grid reference SU 268 047; what3words: taxi.submit.formation), which has accessible parking, accessible toilets, picnic tables, bike racks, and an information point. Walkers pass through two oak archways, cross Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, and then follow the loop in either direction before returning the same way. The trail features notable conifers, including some of Britain’s oldest Douglas firs planted in the 1850s to create Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, and tactile sculptures inspired by tree seeds. The route is mostly level with frequent resting places and one gentle slope near the start.

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New Forest Walking Guides

Blackwater Arboretum Accessible Trail

This 0.7 mile woodland walk uses gravel paths.

Key

  • Trail Starting Point
  • Trail
  • Point of Interest
  • Car Park
  • Public Toilets
  • Picnic Bench
  • 1 Trail steps

Directions

1) Arrival

Blackwater Arboretum car park has accessible parking and accessible toilet facilities in addition to an information point and picnic tables. Please take all your rubbish home and follow the New Forest Code whilst out and about

2) Under Oak Archway

To start your stroll along the Arboretum Trail go under the first oak archway, cross over the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive and continue up the gravel track for a short distance to a second oak archway where the trail begins. You can go either left or right to walk in a large circle enjoying the variety of beautiful trees growing here

3) The Tall Trees Trail

To head back simply retrace your steps back through the two oak archways back to the car park. Longer walks are available from this location such as the Tall Trees Trail.

Blackwater Arboretum Trail

This walk takes you past majestic conifers planted in the 1850s, some of the oldest Douglas fir trees in Britain. Blackwater has some of the oldest and most striking firs in all of the New Forest. These impressive trees were planted in the 1850s to create Rhinefield Ornamental Drive.

Experience the New Forest through touching tactile sculptures and discover the wellbeing benefits of time spent in this special area. Located around the short, circular route sculptures depict the seeds from a sycamore, oak, Douglas fir and redwood, inspired by the splendid ancient and ornamental woodlands along Rhinefield Ornamental Drive.

Trail Overview

Start/finish:
Blackwater car park.
Grid reference
SU 268 047
what3words
what3words.com/taxi.submit.formation
Ordnance Survey map:
Explorer OL 22 New Forest.
Distance:
0.7 miles (1.1 km) – Under 1 hour.
Local facilities:
Blackwater car park has two disabled bays. Disabled access toilets, picnic tables, bike racks and an information point.
Accessibility:
This short circular trail has a fairly smooth gravelled surface with one very gentle slope from the car park to the start of the trail. The remainder of the trail is level with frequent resting places and is accessed via a gate which has a low, soft catch. The narrowest width along the route is 1.1m at the entrance gate to the Arboretum; this is also the only gate along the route.

Keep your distance from the animals and don't feed or pet them - you may be fined.

Keep your distance from the animals and don't feed or pet them - you may be fined.

Keep your distance from the animals and don't feed or pet them - you may be fined.

Keep your distance from the animals and don't feed or pet them - you may be fined.