36
EPPING FOREST
hollow known as Debden Slade, a corruption of
Dead-man's Slade. Crossing the head of this,
the track mounts the opposite hill diagonally to
the old British camp and skirts round its south
and east sides. From this point a group of tall
elms at High Beach are visible and serve as a
landmark. Continue along the crest of the hill in
a north-westerly direction, so as to keep in sight
the beautiful view to the south. From the point
at which the Epping Road is crossed at right
angles, a green roadway leads to the " King's Oak "
at High Beach. This is one of the most beautiful
walks in the Forest, but the following variation
of it is even more charming, and will serve for
the return journey, unless a more extended walk
is desired, in which case return to Chingford by
one of the routes already described, or to Epping
or Theydon.
ROUTE K
HIGH BEACH TO LOUGHTON
3 miles
From a point on the High Beach road, about
a mile north of the " King's Oak," strike due east
across the thicket. This will lead to Wake Valley,
sometimes called Dick Turpin's pond, an irregular
sheet of water in a hollow by the Epping Road;
cross the road and descend the valley through
Monk Wood, keeping the left bank of the stream.
Where this leaves Monk Wood and passes under
the Green Ride [from this point a pretty track
leads north-east up the hill to Golding's Bill
ponds] cross the latter to some cleared spaces
beyond. Continue to follow the left bank of the
stream downwards till Baldwin's Hill pond is
reached. From this point the driest and best
track is on its right bank, until it flows in about
half a mile into Staples pond, whence Route J
started. Both these walks are fairly dry even in
winter and after rainy weather.