The Forest Way is a linear Country park providing walking, cycling, horse riding and the quiet enjoyment of the countryside. It runs for around 16 km from East Grinstead to Groombridge.  The Forest Way lies within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the heart of the picturesque East Sussex countryside with the Ashdown Forest lying to the south. It takes the route of a disused railway line and now provides an important habitat for wildlife forming a ‘green corridor’ through the upper valley of the River Medway. The route runs from East Grinstead, via Forest Row, Hartfield, and Withyham to Groombridge.

East Grinstead to Groombridge

Saturday 22 April 2006 - 10 Miles (16Km) - 2 Hours

Okay, I know I bang on about the horror of abandoned railways, and the enduring caveat that they should always be resurrected if possible, but at least the formation is (almost) fully intact and not sold off piecemeal, which means that it can still be of use as a linear route.  The ride was interesting (the main reason for old railway riding for me is industrial archeology) and was commenced and ended with a trip on the Spa Valley Railway (Tunbridge Wells to Groombridge).  At least East Grinstead will soon see the Bluebell reconnected.

East Grinstead - opposite Beeching Way (Don't Ask!)

Embankment - East Grinstead

Bridge just out of East Grinstead

Brambletye Crossing

Pig's Ear made of trackbed - Forest Row

Milemarker - 4 3/4 Miles - distance to Birchden Junction

Grim

Withyham Station and crossing

Muppets ripped out bridge over the B2110

Regaining trackbed

'Horse riders beware of approaching trains' - this is where the extant (but truncated) Oxted - Uckfield Line appears on the left, near Groombridge.

The Forest Way has to leave the trackbed - Uckfield line on right, looking back towards East Grinstead direction at Groombridge

Just before end of trail, a sign and sustran 'totem'