Uncover the paths and woods of Boldre on this lovely 6.85 mile New Forest walk, which starts at the picturesque Setley Pond. 

Walking boots and picnic materials are needed for this one, which starts with an anti-clockwise stroll around the pond. 

The gravel track leads to a more substantial track beyond the pond (0.35 miles). Take the left fork towards a house and on reaching it bear left to pass through a barrier. Keep to the Forest edge on the right to locate a stile in the corner ahead (0.45).

Cross it to go along a path between hedges which leads to the Brockenhurst to Lymington Road (0.67). Cross it with care and go left passing a building that has in the past been a pub and a tea room. Just beyond it go right through a kissing gate and along an enclosed path.

Cross a stile into a field (0.92) and continue in the same direction keeping to the right-hand side of the field to descend into a valley. Cross a stile in the far-right corner (1.00) and onto an enclosed path. Cross a footbridge over a stream and climb up to Lower Sandy Down Road (1.11).

(Image: Richard Kenchington) Go straight across the road and on to another path initially across a rough field then through a kissing gate onto a path between hedges. Go straight across Sandy Down Road (1.23) and continue on a wide track. On reaching a field gate (1.36) go right just before it onto an enclosed bridleway. On reaching Royden Lane (1.67) turn right along it.

At a cross roads (1.78) go left down Church Lane heading for Boldre Church. Cross the Lymington River and then the road climbs. Ignore Rodlease Lane off to the right (2.07) and keep climbing.

Continue along the road, it goes right, it crosses a stream and then climbs. When it levels out ignore tracks to the left and right and go just beyond to go through a kissing gate next to the second field gate on the left (2.37).

Continue on a wide enclosed footpath. Go through another kissing gate next to a field gate (2.50) into the field beyond. Continue keeping to the hedge on the left. On reaching a belt of trees go through a kissing gate (2.72) and enter the field visible ahead. Now bear right across the field towards the far-right corner.

Find the fence with the open Forest beyond and go right along it until reaching and crossing a stile into the Forest heathland (2.87). Follow the remains of a field boundary. When it goes right go straight on 40 metres and turn left to find a track through the gorse (3.03). Find a track keeping parallel with the woods off to the left where the stile was located. Between the track and the woods is a line of poles supporting overhead cables and the track after winding through a boggy section meets the line of cables (3.38).

(Image: Richard Kenchington) Now there is a field off to the left, keep outside of it following the line of cables and on the edge of the Forest heathland. Just after the point where the cables go underground (3.57) go left to pass to the left of a pond continuing to follow the edge of the Forest heathland. Go right after a barn and on reaching a farmhouse off to the left (3.69) bear right slightly to go around a paddock on the edge of the heathland. Find a way across a small stream and then beyond the paddock bear left again keeping to the edge of the open heathland.

Now look for a gate onto a wide gravel track leading away from the heathland (3.89). Keep to the track as it bears left at a house. Through a gate and straight on (4.06). After a second gate go right onto another bridleway (4.20). In 50 metres fork left. Follow the track as it goes clockwise around Dilton Gardens and enters Royden Woods Nature Reserve (4.40).

After the house the track keeps just inside the woods with fields off to the right. On reaching a T-junction with another bridleway (4.86) go left. Descend to cross a footbridge over the Lymington River (5.09) with Royden Manor House off to the right. At a T-junction with another track go right (5.23). Bear left by a house (5.36). After a short climb fork left (5.43) and then keep to the track all the way to the Lymington to Brockenhurst Road (6.15).

Go across the road and cattle grid and then turn left to keep parallel with the main road. Just after passing a sign on the main road advertising a weight limit on the B3056 (6.32) you can see ahead a line of trees. The aim now is to keep to the heath and go around them to the right so fork 40 degrees right onto a path which will pass close to the right of the trees onto a road very close to the entrance to the Setley Pond Car Park (6.74). Walk down the gravel track to the car park (6.85).

(Image: Richard Kenchington) View a map of the route at explore.osmaps.com/route/25342612 

If you like exploring the New Forest, consider joining the New Forest Ramblers. 

Written for the Daily Echo by Richard Kenchington, Hampshire Area Walking Environment Officer of the Ramblers’ Association.