Best Essex walks for hot weather

Shaded, sheltered walks - often with water access - to help keep dogs cool and comfortable on warmer days. Always walk early or late and carry water in the heat.

★ Dogs of Essex Pick Our top walk for hot weather
Epping Forest
Woodland

Epping Forest

Covering thousands of acres, Epping Forest is one of the most iconic dog walking destinations in the UK. With ancient woodland, open glades and countless trails to explore, it's a place where no two walks ever feel quite the same.

Reactive Dogs ★★★★
Puppies ★★★★
Senior Dogs ★★★★
Pushchairs ★★☆☆☆
Swimming ★★★☆☆
Off Lead ★★★★★
Shade ★★★★★
Mud ★★☆☆☆

More walks for hot weather

Hatfield Forest

Hatfield Forest

1.8-5.1 miles • 50 mins-2hrs 25 mins • Mud: Moderate

WoodlandLakeNational Trust
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Tiptree Heath Nature Reserve

Tiptree Heath Nature Reserve

1.5 miles • 30 mins • Mud: Moderate

WoodlandCircularQuiet
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Langdon Hills Country Park - One Tree Hill

Langdon Hills Country Park - One Tree Hill

1.6 miles • 35 mins • Mud: Moderate

WoodlandViewsQuiet
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Hainault Forest Country Park

Hainault Forest Country Park

2.6 miles • 1hr 15 mins • Mud: Moderate

WoodlandLakeOff Lead
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Crowsheath Wood Nature Reserve

Crowsheath Wood Nature Reserve

0.8-1.5 miles • 20-40 mins • Mud: Moderate

WoodlandGrasslandPonds
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Danbury Country Park

Danbury Country Park

0.6-1.6 miles • 15 mins-40 mins • Mud: Medium (higher after rain on woodland trails)

WoodlandLakes
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Langdon Nature Discovery Park

Langdon Nature Discovery Park

1.6 miles • 30 mins • Mud: Moderate

WildlifeWoodlandQuiet
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Langdon Hills Country Park - Westley Heights

Langdon Hills Country Park - Westley Heights

1.5-2.8 miles • 1hr-2hrs • Mud: Moderate

WoodlandOff LeadNature
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High Woods Country Park

High Woods Country Park

2.5-3.5 miles • 55 mins-1hr 15 mins • Mud: Moderate

WoodlandLakeOff Lead
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Chigborough Lakes Nature Reserve

Chigborough Lakes Nature Reserve

1.4 miles • 30 mins • Mud: High

WoodlandCircularQuiet
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Thames Chase Forest Centre

Thames Chase Forest Centre

3.1 miles • 1hr 10 mins • Mud: Moderate

WoodlandAccessibleCountryside
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Danbury Ridge Nature Reserves

Danbury Ridge Nature Reserves

2.4 miles • 55 mins • Mud: Moderate

Ancient treesBirdwatchingGetting away from it all
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Danbury Common

Danbury Common

0.6-2.2 miles • 15 mins-55 mins • Mud: Moderate

WoodlandHeathQuiet
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Dedham Vale

Dedham Vale

1.8-6 miles • 1 hr-3hrs 20 mins • Mud: Moderate

RiversideCountrysideOff Lead
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Wrabness Nature Reserve

Wrabness Nature Reserve

1.5 miles • 35 mins • Mud: Moderate

EstuaryWildlifeScenic
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Heybridge Basin

Heybridge Basin

2.6-6.1 miles • 50 mins-2 hrs • Mud: Moderate

EstuaryViewsCanal
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Great Notley Country Park

Great Notley Country Park

2.3 miles • 50 mins • Mud: Low

Off LeadAccessibleFamily Friendly
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Maldon Promenade

Maldon Promenade

1.4-2.5 miles • 30 mins-55 mins • Mud: Low

WatersideAccessibleFamily Friendly
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Hylands Park

Hylands Park

0.75-4 miles • 30 mins-2hrs 30 mins • Mud: Low

WoodlandLakeGardens
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Hadleigh Country Park

Hadleigh Country Park

3.1-7.5 miles • 1hr 30 mins-3hrs 30 mins • Mud: Moderate

ViewsOff LeadCoastal
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Thameside Nature Discovery Park

Thameside Nature Discovery Park

0.3-1.2 miles • 10 mins-30 mins • Mud: Low

EstuaryWildlifeViews
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West Mersea

West Mersea

1.5-3.5 miles • Mud: Low

BeachSandyPebbles
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