A walking event based on life's story

The next UK event is in Epping Forest near London on

Sat 9th June 2018

Stop press : USA Trail now set for 28th April 2018 in New York State. See international page.

The Ancestor's Trail is made up of several trails of varying lengths (from 3 to12 miles) guided by volunteers and starting at a train or tube station. Simply pick a distance that suits you best - one trail is suitable for (and regularly used by) wheelchair users. All the trails merge in time and, conveniently enough, finish at Cheshunt YHA which is right next to the train station with easy connection to central London.

The Ancestor's Trail is open to people of all backgrounds and age groups. It aims to support wildlife conservation and celebrate our belonging in nature.

This website allows you to book your place on the walk. There's also an evening event afterwards with entertainment. The following morning we host various natural history lectures - all based at Cheshunt YHA.

What to expect:

Sharing a walk with around 100 others through forest glades and along quiet country lanes

Quality time with friends and family - children welcome - meet interesting people.

Well behaved dogs welcome.

Bring a picnic

Enjoy live music, storytelling and learn about our origins in nature

Meet wildlife experts - including a live bug show

'Congratulations on this great thing you've created'.
Tim Minchin

'A biological pilgrimage in Epping. Quite interesting!'
Stephen Fry

Register & Book

A new version of Richard Dawkins' and Dr Yan Wong's book The Ancestor's Tale, is now available. The book,on which our trail is based, takes us on a journey back through time meeting up with our increasingly distant common ancestors.

The One Zoom allows you to explore the tree of life in a completely new way: like a map, everything is on one page, all you have to do is zoom in and out.