Standing Hat Loop

Standing Hat Loop is a 3.1-mile (5 km) circuit from Standing Hat Inclosure Car Park through Pignal Inclosure on forest tracks. Allow about 1½ hours. It is a moderate woodland walk, not a summit climb, and the loop returns to the same car park.

From the entrance, the route heads north into the trees, then follows a succession of forest tracks before bending east and south to Standing Hat. Most of the line follows broad gravel tracks, with short connectors whose surface is not marked. The map gives several left and right turns, so use its numbered directions at each branch; longer walks carrying the same Standing Hat name take different routes. The low woodland circuit is gently undulating, and the main challenge is keeping to the intended loop through intersecting tracks.

Standing Hat Inclosure Car Park sits at the end of Tilery Road. It has 20 spaces, no accessible bays or toilets, and seasonal opening from Easter to October. New Forest car parking is chargeable. Dogs are allowed on the loop. The 3.1 miles starts at Standing Hat; starting elsewhere adds an access walk.