Haldon Forest Park’s interactive family trail features all sorts of party-themed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you…
Whether you want a gentle stroll or an exhilarating mountain biking experience, there’s something for everyone at Haldon Forest Park. Open 364 days of the year, there is something for every interest to connect you with the great outdoors.
If you’re looking to entertain the family, get active, rediscover your connection with nature, or just make unforgettable memories, look no further than Haldon Forest Park.
Haldon Forest Park offers endless activities and miles of different trails. Ideal for families, runners, walkers, and cyclists of any age and ability. The Forest Park is set in the heart of beautiful Devon with some amazing views of the surrounding countryside. Discover easy going trails and a choice of stunning picnic spots, or head deeper into the forest for a more challenging hiking adventure. For thrill seekers, choose from cycling trails and activity areas, tree top adventures, Segway tours, the south west’s largest orienteering course, and more. With easy parking, mobility hire, toilets, and an on-site cafe, there is no excuse not to explore the forest at any time of year!
Things to do at Haldon Forest Park
Entertaining the kids
If 3,500 acres of forest to explore isn’t enough, don’t worry – we’ve got plenty to keep kids of all ages entertained. For little explorers, head out onto the Gruffalo party trail to collect the missing party items for Gruffalo’s 25th birthday. Activity packs are available from the Info Pod for £4. Slightly older adventurers will enjoy challenging themselves with our Gruffalo orienteering course as they navigate their way between control points. Maps are available from the Info Pod for £1.50.
To burn off some energy, bring their bikes (or hire them on-site) to work up a sweat on our cycling and mountain biking trails. For those with a head for heights, check out the Go Ape Treetop Adventure, which will leave everyone with a sense of achievement.
Walking
Whether you’re looking for play and adventure or a bit of peace and quiet to observe the wildlife, Haldon Forest Park has the perfect walking trail for you. The Discovery Trail is shared between walkers and beginner cyclists, with plenty of seating stops and stunning views. It is also home to our Zog activity trail, taking families on an adventure to learn some important lessons with the loveable dragon. For a more immersive forest walk, choose from the waymarked Raptor trail or Butterfly trail, or make up your own route. Visitors with reduced mobility can explore the forest with one of our off-road mobility vehicles, available to hire via the Countryside Mobility scheme. Our easy-to-use scooters can tackle forest terrain come rain or shine.
For a walk with a fitness boost, why not try Nordic walking? Bring your poles, or hire ours from the Info Pod, and stride out onto our waymarked Nordic walking routes.
Cycling and mountain biking
Whether you’ve just bought your first bike, or you’re happy shredding through rock gardens, Haldon Forest Park offers fantastic natural cycling. Practise your technique in the skills area and find your flow on the pump loop, then choose from graded trails that wind through the forest.
Haven’t brought your bike? Our on-site cycle hire specialists are here to help with mountain bikes for all ages, electrically-assisted bikes, tag-a-longs and child seats, recumbent cycles, and trikes. All cycle hire is heavily discounted for over 55s.
Running
Lace up your trainers and head into the forest for a run like no other. Choose from our 1-5km waymarked running routes or make up your own route. Trail running is not just good for your fitness. Tune into the colours and sounds of the forest for a mindful experience to leave you feeling refreshed.
Go Ape at Haldon Forest Park
Scale the heights of the treetops with daring crossings, wobbly bridges, and zip wires. Choose from the Treetop Adventure for younger thrill seekers or the Treetop Challenge for older adrenalin-junkies. Pre-booking is essential to avoid disappointment.
Orienteering
For a walk with an added challenge, test your map navigational skills against Haldon Forest Park’s orienteering course. We have graded routes for everyone from complete beginner (white) to advanced (brown). Purchase your maps from the Info Pod (£1.50) or download them for free before you visit.
For younger explorers, try our Gruffalo Orienteering course with special Gruffalo-themed controls hidden along the Discovery Trail. Maps are available from the Info Pod for £1.50.
White, yellow, orange, and Gruffalo orienteering courses are accessible for off-road mobility vehicles.
Eating and drinking
After your forest adventure, refuel at the Ridge Cafe. You’ll be spoiled for choice with delicious homemade light bites, locally-made cakes, and hot and cold drinks. Or bring your own picnic to enjoy in your favourite spot. There are picnic benches dotted throughout the forest, or pick a peaceful spot among the trees. Top up your water bottles with our free refill station next to the toilet block. To help us prevent wild fires, please never light a BBQ or fire in the forest.
Dogs at Haldon Forest Park
Dogs love Haldon Forest with exciting sights smells to explore and plenty of shade on hot summer days. There is always fresh doggy drinking water in the forest visitor hub, and some of our picnic tables have tie rings to keep four-legged family members secure while you eat.
Spend some special bonding time with your pooch with our exclusive activity: Forest Walkies with Wallace & Gromit. Take on Gromit’s challenges along the trail and solve Wallace’s crossword for a chance to win a dog-friendly holiday!
For happy times and waggy tails, please check out our guidance for dogs in the forest.
What's on at Haldon Forest Park
Offers at Haldon Forest Park
Haldon Forest Park members park for free
Become a member and support Haldon Forest Park while you enjoy unlimited parking for just £40 per year. Simply display your pass in your vehicle without queuing for a ticket. Parking charges and memberships help us to look after Haldon Forest Park for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Haldon Forest Park located
Haldon Forest Park is 1 mile from the A38 just 15 minutes from Exeter and Newton Abbot.
Do you have to pay to visit Haldon Forest Park?
The forest is free to visit but charges apply for the car park.
How disability friendly is Haldon Forest Park?
Our staff have undertaken disability awareness training and we pride ourselves on providing a great day out for everyone. Haldon Forest Park is a sunflower-friendly destination. Our trails cater for all abilities with plenty of seating along the Discovery (green) walking trail. Visitors with limited mobility can hire one of our off-road mobility scooters via the Countryside Mobility Scheme, and our on-site cycle hire offers a range of disability bikes, including recumbent cycles and trikes. We are continually working to improve our accessibility and have published a full guide.
What is there for kids to do?
Kids are never bored at Haldon Forest Park. The Superworm activity trail takes children on an adventure to discover the minibeast heroes of the forest. Our Gruffalo orienteering challenge encourages map reading and exploration. The Discovery Trail is perfect for balance bikes and building cycling confidence, while Go Ape’s Tree Top Adventure is suitable for the whole family. If that isn’t enough, we have play areas and 3,500 acres of forest to explore!
Where is Go Ape in Devon?
Go Ape in Devon is located within Haldon Forest Park. Activities must be pre-booked and parking charges apply.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are welcome at Haldon Forest Park and we always provide fresh drinking water in the main visitor hub. For happy times and waggy tails for everyone, please read our guidance on dogs in the forest.
Can I hire bikes at Haldon Forest Park?
Yes! Our cycle hire specialists, Forest Cycle Hire, are open seven days a week. They can supply adults’ and kids’ mountain bikes, electrically-assisted bikes, tag-a-longs and child seats, as well as recumbent cycles and trikes. Cycle hire is discounted for over 55s.
Can I bring a BBQ?
No. To help us prevent wild fires, please never light a BBQ or fire in the forest. There are benches dotted around the forest for you to enjoy a picnic, and the Ridge Cafe is open daily serving freshly made light bites.
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