Ober Water - Tall Trees Trail: Complete Guide
Vast open heathland, enchanting woodland, charming bridges crossing peaceful streams, magnificent redwoods and majestic ponies are all waiting to be discovered on the Ober Water – Tall Trees Trail. Continue reading our guide for everything you need to know.
Making up an area of 566 kilometres, The New Forest National Park is a place full of history, wildlife and incredible natural beauty.
Vast colourful heaths, ancient woodlands, gentle valley mires, friendly ponies, impressive redwoods, quaint bridges, rivers and pretty towns are just itching to be discovered and meandering their way around them are endless kilometres of walking trails.
The Ober Water and Tall Trees Trail is one of the best walks in the New Forest encompassing many of these landscapes.
Starting at the magnificent Tall Trees near Blackwater, then to the open grassland at Holm Hill before coming back next to peaceful Ober Water, this circular walk soaks up some incredible scenery!
In this guide to the Ober Water and Tall Trees Trail, we’ll start off with a step-by-step detailed guide before moving on to the logistics and everything else you need to know. Feel free to use the contents as needed.
If this hike is part of a longer trip to the New Forest, make sure you check out our guide to the best things to do in the New Forest.
Contents
Ober Water and Tall Trees Trail Detailed Guide
Park at the Blackwater Car Park on Rhinefield Drive.
Head out of the car park under the carved oak archway and cross the road. The Tall Trees Trail starts just a little further along, however, continue straight and you’ll begin with a quick (less than half a kilometre) loop of the Blackwater Arboretum.
The Blackwater Arboretum is an idyllic setting with a small but nationally important collection of over a hundred beautiful trees from around the world.
Along the trail you’ll find information boards with interesting facts about the different species of trees, or, if you’d prefer, take some time to sit on one of the benches and enjoy the quiet.
When you’re ready, head back out of the Arboretum the way you came towards the car park. Before you get back to the road, you’ll see the start of the Tall Trees Trail on your left.
The Tall Trees Trail is gorgeous and very impressive!
Along this trail, you’ll discover the remarkable Douglas firs and magnificent redwoods that were planted in the 1850s to create the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive.
You’ll encounter the tallest trees in the New Forest National Park and two giant sequoias – also known as Wellingtonia. These trees can grow to be the largest living thing on earth!
Photos don’t begin to do these beauties justice!
The Tall Trees Trail loops back on itself on the other side of the road and makes a 2.5-kilometre circular loop great for families or those short on time.
However, for this route, you’re going to turn left a little before you reach Brock Hill Car Park and walk through the opening in the trees.
A short way on, you’ll reach a gravel path. Turn left and continue on this route for a couple of kilometres.
You’ll cross a peaceful stream, named Fletchers Water and further on you’ll reach Rhinefield Sandy’s Inclosure.
The inclosure has a metal fence around it to your right which the path follows, however, you can continue on through the trees (you’ll see a path as others have done this) and you’ll meet up with the path again a short way ahead.
Turn left and continue along the path. Up ahead you’ll see a building, the back of Rhinefield House, turn right just before that and keep it to your left as you follow the trail through the gate and into the next field.
Continue through the woods and the path will head slightly downhill until you hit a stream nestled amongst the trees.
You’ll stumble upon quite a lot of streams like this around the New Forest; they’re absolutely beautiful and so peaceful!
Just after the stream, make your way straight ahead and up the slight incline to the top of Holm Hill where you’ll be rewarded with a wonderful view across open heathlands.
Keep your eyes peeled for some of the renowned New Forest Ponies here!
The top of Holm Hill is an ideal spot for some lunch or at least some water as you gaze across the landscape.
Once you’ve reached the junction at the top of Holm Hill, turn left and follow the path.
You’re now making your way to the main road. This is actually Rhinefield Road, where you parked but a bit further along.
The path winds its way around and you’ll cross a little bridge over Silver Stream.
When you reach the main road, cross over and there’s a little path to follow on your left.
Cross Puttles Bridge to the other side of the stream, this is Ober Water.
When you reach the car park, the trail is on your right and there’s a sign for some Ober Water trails in red and yellow.
Follow these paths with more tall trees looming above you. You’ll soon come out at a gorgeous stretch of path with the stream to your right. Stop here for a bit of a break and take some photos.
You’ll see a bridge on your right, don’t go over it but follow the path straight and keep the stream to your right.
At the second bridge, turn left and continue along the trail. There are a few paths that veer off in different directions but the coloured markers will point you in the direction you want to go.
You’ll reach a house and behind it, beautiful wide-open fields. Continue straight through the fields until you reach a stream. Cross the bridge and the trail bears round to the left.
Continue straight ahead, crossing another bridge and slightly further on you’ll come to a fork in the path.
Follow the trail and you’ll join onto another path. Keep left and at the T-junction, turn left and continue along this road until you return to Blackwater Car Park.
Everything You Need to Know About the Ober Water-Tall Trees Trail
How long is the Ober Water-Tall Trees Trail?
The trail is 12 kilometres and will take approximately 3 hours depending on how often you stop.
Can I bring my pooch?
Yes, your furry friends are very welcome but keep them closeby as there are a lot of ponies in the New Forest.
Are there toilets?
There are public toilets at Blackwater Car Park.
Are there shops on the trail?
No there are no shops on the Ober Water Tall Trees Trail so bring plenty of food and water with you.
Our Top Tip: head to one of the New Forest’s country pubs for some hearty food after your walk. The Waterloo Arms in Lyndhurst is a quaint, cosy and welcoming pub serving your favourite hearty pub classics.
Where can I park?
You can park in Blackwater Car Park on Rhinefield Ornamental Road. Parking is free but it gets very busy because of the Tall Trees Trail; one of the most popular places to visit in the New Forest.
Arrive early to guarantee a parking space.
Where should I stay in the New Forest?
Deciding where to stay in the New Forest depends on what experience you’re looking for and if you want to get out and about without a car.
In terms of overall location, the forest isn’t as big as other national parks such as the Peak District so anywhere is a good base without needing a long drive to where you want to go.
If you want to get out and about in the evenings, we’d recommend Lyndhurst, the capital of the New Forest with a fairly central location in the park.
The Forest Lodge Hotel is charming, historical and cosy with a 5-minute walk to the centre of Lyndhurst. It overlooks a field of ponies and is surrounded by countryside and walks in every direction.
The included breakfast is delicious and really sets you up for the day and the indoor pool is perfect after a day of exploring.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to stay on the coast and be within easy reach of shops, bars and restaurants, Lymington is the perfect option.
If you’re open to location and want to find a more secluded hotel immersed in the beauty and tranquillity of the New Forest, take a look at the map below.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to the Ober Water Tall Trees Trail, if you have any questions, leave a comment or get in contact on social media 🙂