12 Easy Walks

Our guide to 12 easy walks in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley gives you a gentle introduction to the region and some simple routes to get you started exploring. These 12 walks are all circular and are mainly on clearly defined, wellworn paths, tracks and lanes which should be easy to locate. There are route maps provided indicating the starting points, car parks and any gates. We have indicated points of historic and natural interest, as well as stunning viewpoints. The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference of the start is included with each map. The distance is made clear too, allowing you to judge whether this walk is suitable for you and to help plan your day. Some of the walks have optional shortcuts highlighted and of course all can be extended if a longer walk is wanted.

All 12 routes are intended as manageable strolls for anyone who wants to spend a relatively short time walking without a great deal of effort. You will not need specialised clothing or state-of the-art GPSs. You will not be expected to do acrobatics, leaping over stile after stile, to scramble up rough, steep inclines to see glorious views or to walk for hours before seeing anything interesting! They are ideal for older walkers, those with young families and inexperienced walkers, especially those who don't want to download apps or learn to map read.

You can download the complete 12 Easy Walks PDF here or download the individual walks by clicking the links below.

You can see from the map that the walks cover a representative spread of both the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley. Nevertheless, with a little planning, you can easily combine two or three walks to give you a full day’s enjoyment. Although the area is densely packed with things to do and see, the distances are not at all vast. The individual walks are:

1. Brockweir and along the Wye
2. Whitestone Viewpoint and Cleddon Falls*
3. Trellech Beacon*
4. Craig-y-Dorth Hill
5. Lydney Docks
6. Bream Village
7. Clearwell Village
8. Dark Hill
9. Cannop Ponds*
10. Speech House Woods
11. Symonds Yat East and Biblins Bridge*
12. Ross-on-Wye Town

Notes and updates:

These walks were compiled several years ago and in some cases there have been some changes since then. We will endeavour to update them as best as possible but please be aware of the following:

*Walk 2: We have been informed that there is now a stile on this walk.

*Walk 3: We have had reports that some of the way markers are no longer visible and some of the tracks may have changed since this walk was prepared. One walker reported not finding the kissing gate at 5. We will review this route but meanwhile, please exercise caution.

*Walk 9: Forestry England have recently redeveloped the car park and charges now apply. The stones indicated as the starting point for this walk at point 1 have been removed. If you cannot find the appropriate track in order to begin this walk we suggest that the walk be followed in reverse - walk down the main path along the pond to point 5, and after completing the loop of 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 then return to point 5 and walk to point 4, 3, 2 where although point 1 is missing it will be obvious where the car park is.

*Walk 11: Unfortunately due to COVID-19 the hand ferries are no longer in operation and so a circular walk is not possible. We recommend beginning at 1, and instead following the route to 9, 8 and 7 where you can continue along the river as long as you wish before turning around and following the same route back.

Walking with dogs: Most of these walks are suitable for dogs and none cross land where livestock is kept. Information on stiles and gates may be outdated. Some dogs do not like the boat crossing or the "wobbly" bridge on walk 11. We recommend too that you read our page on dog walking which gives details of dog friendly walks and staying safe with a dog.

Map reading: See our beginner's guide to reading maps here and our guide to navigation here.