Chapel Wood, Breakheart Hill, High Flyer's Hill, Virginia Water and Obelisk Pond Loop

This easy loop of around 11 km (6.8 miles) explores one of the most varied parts of Windsor Great Park, linking broad woodland tracks, open parkland, ornamental water, and a handful of low rises including Breakheart Hill and High Flyer’s Hill. Although the route passes over named hills, the overall climbing is very gentle for the distance, so hikers can expect a mostly level outing with only mild undulations rather than any sustained ascent. For planning purposes, treat elevation gain as negligible to very low overall. The walk is well suited to relaxed half-day hiking, families with older children, and anyone who wants a scenic route without technical terrain. The area around Virginia Water and Obelisk Pond is one of the best-known walking landscapes in the park, with surfaced and unsurfaced paths, visitor facilities, and a dense concentration of historic features. (windsorgreatpark.co.uk)

The most practical trailhead to use is The Savill Garden Visitor Centre, Wick Lane, Englefield Green, Egham TW20 0UJ, which is the nearest clearly identified access point for this loop area and gives direct access toward Obelisk Lawn, Obelisk Pond, and the paths leading on toward Virginia Water. Another useful access point is the Virginia Water car park, London Road, Virginia Water GU25 4QF, which sits beside the lake and gives easy access to the Cascade and Leptis Magna ruins. Official park information lists both locations, along with facilities such as toilets and refreshments. (windsorgreatpark.co.uk)

If arriving by public transport, Virginia Water railway station is the most obvious rail gateway for the lake side of the walk, with onward access on foot into Windsor Great Park. If starting from The Savill Garden side, hikers should expect either a longer approach walk from the station or a short taxi ride. By car, The Savill Garden car park is usually the simplest choice for this route because it places you close to Obelisk Pond and the connecting paths across the park. Official parking guidance also notes that the Virginia Water car park is popular and provides direct access to the lake circuit. It is worth checking Windsor Great Park visitor updates before setting out, as footpath or facility closures do occasionally affect the area. (southwesternrailway.com)

What the route feels like

From the Savill side, the opening section is typically calm and spacious, with wide estate paths and open views across managed parkland before the route draws closer to the water. Obelisk Pond gives the walk an immediate sense of scale, with lawns, mature trees, and long sightlines that make navigation straightforward in clear weather. The terrain here is generally forgiving underfoot, often on firm paths or estate tracks, though after wet weather some side paths through woodland can become muddy. Because this is a popular visitor landscape rather than a remote backcountry trail, the route tends to feel accessible and legible, especially when followed with HiiKER. (windsorgreatpark.co.uk)

As the loop continues toward Virginia Water, the character shifts from open ornamental landscape to a mix of lakeside walking and wooded stretches. Virginia Water itself is the dominant landmark: a large 18th-century lake set within designed royal parkland. The official lake circuit alone is about 6.9 km (4.2 miles), so this 11 km loop effectively combines part of that waterside experience with the adjoining park and pond landscape. Expect a blend of broad gravel or compacted paths, occasional tarmac sections, and some softer earth tracks depending on the exact line taken around Chapel Wood, Breakheart Hill, and High Flyer’s Hill. (windsorgreatpark.co.uk)

Breakheart Hill and High Flyer’s Hill sound more dramatic than they hike. They add shape and variety to the route, but not serious exertion. These slightly raised sections can offer a subtle change in perspective over the surrounding woods and water