Blackwater Accessible 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 information

Start/finish: Blackwater car park. Grid reference SU 268 047, what3words.com/taxi.submit.formation
Ordnance Survey map: Explorer OL 22 New Forest.
Distance:7 miles (1.1 km) – 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.

Directions

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

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

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.