ITS TOPOGRAPHY 37
ROUTE L
BUCKHURST HILL OR LOUGHTON TO EPPING
From Buckhurst Hill, 7 miles; from Loughton, 5 miles
From Buckhurst Hill Station enter Lord's
Bushes at its north-east corner, and, keeping
near its northern boundary, leave it at the north-
west corner. Follow the Loughton high road
past Buckhurst Hill Church, and, 300 yards
beyond this, diverge to the left across the cricket
ground. A due northerly course will lead to
Warren Hill. Leaving the Warren House, the
residence of the Forest Superintendent, on the left,
continue the northerly course across some cleared
spaces, formerly cultivated—Strawberry Hill pond
occupying the site of an old gravel pit is passed
on the left—and by the green ride along the west
side of Paul's nursery. This leads at right angles
into the road from Loughton to High Beach,
known as Earl's Path. A corresponding green
ride on the other side of the road descends the
hill to Debden Slade, a rushy valley, the head of
which must be crossed. Ascend the opposite hill
to the British Camp, described on p. 47. (To
take this walk from Loughton, follow the directions
given in Route J as far as the camp.) From this
point, instead of following the hang of the hill, as
in 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, turn
to the right through the grove of beech-trees and