[1] Leaving the car park, head to Visitor Centre complex entrance. At the "Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve" sign turn left and then left again on the red waymarked 'Birklands Ramble'. Keep straight on along this wide main path through varied forest with many fine old oaks (A). Follow the red waymarks past the turning signed to the 'Major Oak' and then bear right at the metal barrier beyond.
Sherwood is one of the best remaining medieval hunting forests in Britain, a mixture of oak and birch woodland, open heath, glades, farmland and villages. Many of the ancient oaks are over 500 years old. Many of the dead ones are still standing.
At the next major junction, keep to the left of the bird table and join the 'Robin Hood Way' (B), still following the red waymarks. A parallel natural path provides better walking to the hard track.
The Robin Hood Way is a 107 mile (172 km) walk visiting the great estates of The Dukeries and the remaining pockets of forest associated with the legend of Robin Hood.
[2] At the next main junction, turn right at the seat and pass through a gate. Keep straight on, following the red waymarks. You again encounter many dead oaks on this off the beaten track path. On meeting some wooden railings turn left through a gate, and at the junction, turn right to rejoining the Robin Hood Way.
[3] Turn right just before a metal barrier, at a junction sign posted to the 'Visitor Centre'. Take the left-hand path with the red waymarks and follow this for about a kilometre. Turn right on the signed public bridleway at the cross-path where the wire fence on the right ends. Note the huge old oak stump on the left with several mature trees growing from it and the bracket fungi on the birch pole a little further on.
[4] Turn left at the cross-path just beyond a fancy waymark sculpture and leave the red waymarked trail. Walk alongside the grassland heath (C) on your right and turn right into this at the end of the fence. Follow the narrow grassy path to the end and turn right along the track. Go straight on at the junction and follow the signs to the 'Major Oak'.
There are information panels, picnic tables and seats at the famous tree, which is thought to be over 800 years old.
Pass with the Major Oak on your left and continue alongside the wooden fence following the 'Robin Hood Way' and blue waymark. Turn left at the junction signed to the 'Visitor Centre' (E), where there are toilets, refreshments, shops and information.