A short stroll around Hightown
A short walk around our smallest heathland site in the New Forest – great if you don't have much time but still want to experience the mosaic of habitats the New Forest has to offer. Walk across grazed lawns, through dark ancient woods and wander off route to discover some hidden wetlands, all in under 30 minutes.
Near to
New Forest Northern CommonsStart point
Hightown National Trust car park, grid ref: SU179054.Trail information
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
Hightown National Trust car park, grid ref: SU179054.
Stage 1
From the car park head north onto the common, heading past a concrete bench on your left across a grazed lawn and into a break in the gorse buses, heading towards the A31.
Stage 2
Reaching a tree-lined gulley at the boundary to the A31, take a well trodden path to your left. Follow this path, keeping the A31 on your right.
Stage 3
As you are nearing the western boundary, take another path to the left that eventually hugs the edge of the common under tree cover.
Stage 4
Continue to follow the path that hugs the boundary of the common. Please be careful here, as this is used by vehicles accessing properties.
Stage 5
Reaching the road ahead, cross over to pick up another path almost directly in front of you. Follow this path round to the left as you continue to hug the boundary of the common.
Stage 6
When reaching the gated entrance to a property, take the gravel track to the left that heads steadily back up hill. As the ground levels out, continue to hug the boundary of the common under tree cover.
Stage 7
The common opens out with stunning views south of the open Forest. Pass a wooden bench on your left, and turn left at the gravel track to make your way back up towards the road and car park.
End point
Hightown National Trust car park, grid ref: SU179054.
Trail map
Hightown Common, New Forest, Hampshire | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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