ITS TOPOGRAPHY.
45
Route J, cross the heathery plateau at the top of it
to the high trees of Monk Wood. A north-easterly
direction will lead the visitor the whole length of
the wood. This is considered by many to be the
choicest bit of the Forest. Nowhere is there
so wide an extent of well-grown trees, alternating
with wild rushy plains, and intersected by deep
picturesque dells. Cross the Loughton and Epping
Road by the keeper's cottage, and descend the hill
to the bottom of the next hollow, called "Hangboy"
Slade. Follow this up the stream. The valley runs
north at first and then bends round slightly to the
north-east. Where the open glade appears to come
to an end, an arrow has been cut as a director in the
smooth bark of a pollard beech. Here turn to the
right through the grove of beech-trees and up a little
mossy hollow, until the Theydon Road is reached.
On the farther side of this is an open heathery
plain nearly bare of trees, owing to forest fires.
After crossing the road, keep along near the thicket
on the right hand side. The tall firs on the left
show the position of Copped Hall Wood. Our
route lies at right angles to this direction. At
the northern apex of the plain a well-defined track
is found. This keeps along the side of the hill
which slopes down to the left to a little stream, on
the opposite side of which stand the fine beeches of
" Epping Thicks "—probably the best grown trees
in the Forest. At the point at which some villas
on Piercing Hill come fully into view, 300 yards
ahead, turn to the left, down a little hollow, and
crossing the intervening stream into the " Thicks"
rise the opposite slope to the wide Green Ride.
Follow this ride to Epping.
I am aware that my directions for this walk are