Whitefield Moor Short Loop

Whitefield Moor Short Loop is a one-mile circuit from Whitefield Moor car park, following Ober Water before returning through heath and open lawn. Allow about 25 to 30 minutes at an unhurried pace. It suits a quick New Forest walk through several habitats rather than a strenuous hike or a viewpoint outing. The path drops to the stream and climbs back out, so it is not level throughout.

From the information board, take the gravel track toward the woodland. Cross the wooden bridge, turn right past Puttles Bridge car park, and continue with Ober Water on your right. This first stretch stays beside the river under trees; waymarkers help you skirt the muddier ground. As the woods open near a river crossing, take the right-hand bridge onto the heath for the short yellow loop. The longer red route continues to a second bridge, so follow the yellow markers to keep to this shorter circuit.

The path crosses heather-and-gorse heath toward a line of trees, then emerges onto the flat grassy lawns. Turn right at the marker post and follow the lawn back; the car park comes into view on the horizon. That last open stretch is a clear change from the shaded stream corridor. The bridge beside Ober Water is a good place to watch for kingfishers, while red deer may be seen on the heath; neither sighting is guaranteed. The ponies and cattle grazing here are part of the New Forest’s commoning tradition, whose rights date back to 1069.

Begin at Whitefield Moor car park; toilets are at the car park. Parking is paid. Keep vehicles inside the car park rather than on the access road, verges or gateways. Dogs are allowed. The descent to the river and climb back are moderate; riverside ground can be muddy after rain, bridge surfaces can develop small lips as they erode, and resting places are limited.