Ringwood forest. A longer walk.

Beautiful walk in Ringwood forest today. Starting at Stephens castle and walking up the main top track, then across to the pylons. From here I turned left and right to ascend the large burial mound. Across the top where there are a number of smaller burial mounds and turning right onto the track into Plumley wood. Now down to the Somerley track and turn right once more here to continue down the hill. A little way down the hill there is a left turn (it's fairly near the top). Walk along this track (it can be muddy after rain on this one as it's not stony). At the house go past and turn left then right onto the main track. Continue on this track until you reach a small right turn with lovely distant views. Turn right here and go down the hill to join another main track. Turn left onto this one and right onto the next which will bring you to the Ebblake North car park. Now take the small path beside the gate that goes left towards Ringwood. It crosses the road after a short distance to reach the Ebblake North Car Park. Now take the main track to the first right turn which will take you to the Ebblake Estate on a small bridleway.. After crossing the bridge turn left and follow the road to reach a small playground. Now turn right onto the little bridleway behind this and then turn left crossing the bridge. After the bridge turn right and keep to the path leading through Potterne Wood to reach the river and Potterne park. Don't cross the next bridge but take the small path to your right through the wood. At the road, turn left straight away to follow the footpath around the houses to reach a nature area beside the river. Now turn left by the ponds (there are herons here). Soon you will come to the Verwood Road. I turn right and left down the footpath to How lane then into the little Springfield woods, but if you don't mind staying on the pavement you can reach the village centre by continuing. Takes about 2 hours 30m. Very nice.