Best walks to or from Bracknell

Bracknell Station to Maidenhead Station

A rural route on a mixture of footpaths, byways, bridleways and quiet country lanes, with gates but no steps. It skirts Bracknell via parks and an underpass, runs through woodland and across fields and finishes through Braywick Park Nature Reserve. Footpaths through woods can be narrow and lined with thorny bushes. Passes Frost Folly wildlife park and Braywick Park Nature Reserve. The route lacks a pub at its mid-point, but there are pubs in Warfield and Holyport.

15km. Gentle ascents.

A short stretch of fast-traffic road (Drift Road) with uneven grass verges, though the route turns off it quickly. Narrow woodland paths with thorny bushes — a jacket helps. Few benches outside the towns.

Lunch: Two pubs off the attractive Holyport village green.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bracknell Station to Camberley Station

A direct route mainly on pleasant, wide, traffic-free wooded tracks and heathland through Swinley Forest and the MOD training area and with pavements in the urban sections at each end. The forest tracks are gravel and can be muddy with areas of waterlogging; no stairs. Passes close to the Bronze Age barrow at Bill Hill and the Lookout Discovery Centre and South Hill Park Arts Centre (both with cafés and toilets). Small detours possible to Caesar's Camp Iron Age hill fort and Surrey Heath Museum.

Easy: 10km, moderate ascents.

The central forest section can be muddy with areas of waterlogging.

Lunch: Cafés and toilets at the Lookout Discovery Centre and South Hill Park Arts Centre near the route; town-centre shops and cafés at both ends.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bracknell Station to Ascot Station

A fairly direct route mostly on paved roads and pavements, with some nicer paths and byways (notably Sandy Lane and the highlight) avoiding roadside walking. Mostly shaded by trees. The Bracknell end is noisier with road traffic; Ascot roads are mostly quiet. Marked 'Ramblers Route' on quiet roads and byways. The Chestnuts footpath includes chestnut trees and ends at Edmunds Green with wood sculptures; the route passes through the Lexicon shopping centre in Bracknell.

7km.

One potentially less safe crossing where walkers get from Sandy Lane to Long Hill Road, with poor visibility and traffic from three directions. The A329 roundabout stretch near the Ascot end is unpleasant due to traffic but unavoidable.

Lunch: A convenience store on a parade along Fernbank Road.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Twyford Station to Bracknell Station

A largely off-road walk across Berkshire farmland, using town green spaces, byways, country lanes and field paths, with several stretches of unavoidable road walking. The field and woodland paths can be narrow and uneven and very muddy after rain.

14km. Gentle ascents.

Mud is a real problem here, even after dry spells. Some road and verge walking is unavoidable, including a stretch alongside Maidenhead Road if the private Billingbear Park crossings are blocked. Footpaths can be narrow and lined with thorny bushes.

Lunch stops: the Shurlock Inn, or the Stag and Hounds.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Wokingham Station to Bracknell Station

A very urban and direct route that stays north of the railway, with a lot of walking alongside major roads but with pavements throughout and easy major crossings. Some relief via Luckley Path, Beehive Lane and a recreation area and plus a nicer footpath approaching Bracknell.

7km.

Follows busy roads in both Bracknell and Wokingham for significant distances, including a long walk alongside the London Road and a crossing of the A329.

Lunch: A number of pubs on the main roads; public toilets and plenty of coffee and food options in Wokingham.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route