Epping to Chipping Ongar walk

This is the third of the NE Central Line walks which enables a continuous route from Leytonstone in Travel Zone 3 to Ongar in deepest Essex. The other two walks are:

• SWC Walk 241 Leytonstone to Loughton -12.8km (8m)
• SWC Walk 197 Loughton to Epping - 13.4km (8.4m)

This walk is best done in the summer or autumn (May to October). Although the short distance means it could be done in winter it is not recommended for then because some woodland sections - particularly through Gernon Bushes an SSSI- would be very boggy and muddy). About 40% of the walk is through woodland.

The route follows the well sign-posted Essex Way. It celebrates and broadly follows the former Epping to Ongar tube line which closed in 1994. By then the line was carrying just 80 passengers a day. A heritage railway group now operates a very limited service with tickets that can be booked on-line.

You can extend the walk by 1km to view the 11^th century St Martins Parish Church (Grade 1 listed building) and the remains of a Norman castle. You will then use the bus stop outside Ongar station opposite Love Lane.

To make a long Essex summer walk you could start at Loughton underground station and use the directions for SWC 197 and then the directions for this walk to make a long walk from Loughton to Ongar of 25.9km (16.2m ); Toughness 6/10. You would need to start walking around 10.15 am with a pub lunch in Epping.

See pdf for further details about the walks features, refreshments and travel arrangements.