Coleford Area Walking Festival

1. Saturday 7th May 2022 09:30

To mark Coleford gaining Walkers are Welcome status, this linear walk starts at another Walkers are Welcome town and follows the Gloucestershire Way back into the heart of the Forest. It follows paths, tracks and quiet country lanes through woodland and farmland and gives extensive views of the River Severn  and the Cotswold scarp. Park at the Nagshead Nature Reserve Car Park GR606084 to be driven to Chepstow, then enjoy the walk back.

13 miles approx – Strenuous

Saturday 7th May 2022 11:00 £5

Join Greg Daniel at The Dog House Coleford for a trail- a moderate walk ap 6miles- around some of the area’s finest pubs including Newland, Clearwell and Sling.

Suitable for dogs but probably not children!

The first pint is on us!

Saturday 7th May 2022 14:00

This walk traverses the Blaisdon Fault, part of the major Malvern Fault system, forming the western edge of the Severn Vale and the eastern, upturned edge of the Forest coalfield. Multiple movements on the fault over hundreds of millions of years have severely deformed the rocks.  Park near the old Sunday School in Flaxley SO693151.

2 miles approx- Moderate

Meeting in the Railway Drive Car Park in Coleford, join the Forest of Dean Ramblers for this pleasant walk through our local countryside taking in Broadwell, Dark Hill and Ellwood.

8 miles- moderate 

Sunday 8th May 2022 10:30 £5

This a fairly long but gentle walk that follows the bank of the River Severn as it meanders between Westbury on Severn and Bollow, giving the opportunity to see at close range what lies on the opposite bank. It then returns via field paths and country lanes to Westbury Church. Park in the layby on the A48 at Westbury Court Gardens GR718139

8.5 miles approx – Moderate

Sunday 8th May 2022 14:00 £5

Meeting at the car park for Dark Hill Ironworks this walk covers elements of the local area’s history whilst looking for signs of reptiles along the way.  A knowledgeable walk leader from the Foresters’ Forest project will be able to talk about their varied work throughout the area and hopefully point out signs of reptile life.

2 miles – Easy-Moderate

Monday 9th May 2022 10:00 £5

This circular walk passes through woodland and farmland to reach the Devil’s Pulpit which overlooks the Wye Valley and Tintern Abbey. It then returns to Hewelsfield via Oakhill Wood and Cows Hill. Park near Hewelsfield Church GR567021

7 miles approx – Moderate/Strenuous

Monday 9th May 2022 14:00 £5

This walk takes place when the bluebells are at their best in a part of the Forest that has some of the best bluebells, so expect their heady scent.  The walk is through open woodlands with some gentle climbs on good forest tracks.  There are good views of the Severn, and the Cotswolds beyond, from Blakeney Hill.  Please meet at the car park at Wenchford Forestry site.

4 miles approx – Moderate

Tuesday 10th May 2022 10:00 £5

A well known and challenging trail with several steep ascents and descents. It passes the Buckstone, Suckstone and Near Hearkening Rock before crossing the River Wye  at The Biblins. It visits King Arthur’s Cave and recrosses the river using a chain ferry [charges apply]. The route returns to Christchurch via Yat Rock.  Park in Bracelands Drive, Christchurch near the entrance to Forest Holidays GR568129.

11 miles approx – Strenuous

Tuesday 10th May 2022 14:30 £3

Where better to see the Queens Green Canopy than the Speech House woods and the Royal Plantings. Starting in Speech House Woodlands car park, H M Verderer Ian Standing will lead the stroll along under the Cathedral Window past Kensley Lodge and return via the King Edward the V11 Yews and the Royal plantings including a group of Birches planted to celebrate the Silver Jubilee. Finish in the Speech House and a view of the Queens spade in the Verderers Court (conditional on the room being free).

1 mile – Easy

Wednesday 11th May 2022 10:00 £5

This walk has been designed to visit plaques to commemorate 2 local heroes from WWI taking in the villages of Clearwell and Sling.   A mixture of surfaces can be expected incorporating approx 800 feet of climbing enjoying vistas off to the distant Black Mountains. Meet at the Clock Tower with parking in the main town car park (fees apply).

6.5 miles approx – Moderate

Wednesday 11th May  14:30 – Free

A free accessible circular walk, looking above and wondering what’s below.  There will be drawing and some music.  Bring a notebook, pens and perhaps a picnic to share. Meet at the cafe building.

Approx 1 mile – Accessible

Thursday 12 May 2022 10:00 £5

Explore some of the industrial history of Soudley using what is still visible in the landscape before walking up to the Blaize Bailey viewpoint  and returning via Soudley Ponds. The walk contains one fairly steep climb and then a long gradual ascent. Park at Soudley Village Hall GR658103

5.5 miles approx – Moderate

Thursday 12th May 2022 15:00 £5

Join local resident and renowned tour guide Bob Turner for a stroll around Lydney Docks, learning about the once busy industrial port and its surrounding area.  Meet outside the cafe.

1 miles approx – Easy

Thursday 12th May 2022 18:00 £5

This circular walk from Coleford takes in some of Tom Cousin’s works of Public Art. He will accompany us and explain his inspirations and methods. Starting in Coleford we go to Whitecliff then follow Rock Lane and the Golf Course to Coalway, through the trees to Broadwell and return down fields with views across Coleford. Meet at the Clock Tower.

5 miles approx – Moderate

Friday 13th May 2022 10:30 £5

Join a Forestry England Community Ranger on a walk to learn about woodland management practices and how the Forest of Dean is managed for people, wildlife and timber in an ever-changing world. And how, with careful planning and implementation, we are working towards our shared forest objectives ensuring we have a woodland that will thrive for generations to come.  The exact location of this walk will be confirmed nearer the time.

2 miles approx – Moderate

Friday 13th May 2022 14:00 £5

The walk will cover an area that Will Harvey knew so well. We will meet in Parkend, then be taken to Yorkley by minibus.  We will then walk the pavements and quiet roads of Yorkley and Pillowell before making our way back to Parkend through woodland. Along the way we will hear some poems appropriate to the locations.

2.6 miles – Moderate 

Friday 13th May 2022 18:00 £5

An early evening walk. Learn something about the brewery. Then take  a short walk around Chestnut’s Hill and Pope’s Hill before returning to the brewery where you can quench your thirst. Park and meet at Bespoke Brewery in Littledean. GR671134

3.5 miles approx – Moderate

Saturday 14th May 2022 10:30 £5

The first of two walks today celebrating the Mushet’s strong connection with our town.  This walk will take in Whitecliff Furnace, Dark Hill Iron Works and other pertinent sites along the way.  Meet at Coleford Clock Tower.

  5 miles approx – Moderate  

Saturday 14th May 2022 – 14:00 £5

Much has been made of Coleford’s most famous residents, David and Robert Mushet. The large local deposits of Iron Ore provided the materials for their experimental smelting. Walk through ancient scowles, past mine entrances, Clearwell Caves, along transport routes, colour works offices and an engine house. Your knowledgeable guide will explain all along this circular walk.  Meet at Coleford Clock Tower.

4.5 miles – Moderate

Sunday 15th May 09:30 £5  

To mark Coleford gaining Walkers are Welcome status, this linear walk links Coleford with a neighbouring Walkers are Welcome town. The route largely follows the Wye Valley Walk through woodland and farmland to Kerne Bridge and then passes both Welsh and English Bicknor before returning to Coleford via Christchurch. Meet at Coleford Tourist Information Centre to be driven to Ross and enjoy the walk back.

 14 miles approx – Strenuous

Sunday 15th May 15:00 £3

Starting at the chapel in Clements End the walk follows lanes, tracks and footpaths taking in the Oakwood Valley, Clements Tump and Little Drybrook.

3 miles approx – Easy – Moderate