A “biological pilgrimage” will retrace the steps of evolution through Epping Forest this summer, symbolically returning to the start of life on Earth.

On August 15, the Ancestor’s Trail will follow eight separate routes through the forest, each designed to guide walkers through a history of evolution.

The free event, which is named after and inspired by Richard Dawkins’ The Ancestor’s Tale, will feature guided walks such as the amphibian trail from Epping and the gazelle trail from Loughton, with marshals giving information about the evolutionary steps along the way for different animals.

The longest route will be the human trail running from Chingford, with each route converging through the forest and ending in Cheshunt and the “dawn of evolution”.

Organised by the British Humanist Association, the event aims to “celebrate 'our place' within the biodiversity machine we call evolution”.

For more information or to register to join, visit the website.