GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Coleford Walks

5 miles (8.8 km)

The village of Coleford is in an ideal place for exploring the wonderful Forest of Dean.
This circular walk uses part of the Gloucestershire Way to visit Cannop Ponds, located just to the east of the village.
The walk starts from the car park at Milkwall, just to the south of Coleford. From here you can pick up the Coleford Milkwall and Parkend railway path and follow it east to Bostonbury Hill. Near here you pock up the waymarked Gloucestershire Way which you can follow north to the ponds. There's a nice trail heading around the ponds where you can look out for lots of wildlife on the water.
After rounding the ponds you can follow woodland trails through the RSPB's wildlife rich Nagshead Nature Reserve back to the car park.
Just to the south of the village you will find the delightful Puzzlewood. It's an unusual place with ancient trees, rope bridges, interesting rock formations, secret caves and overhanging boulders.
Other worthy nearby options include the Forest of Dean Family Route, the delightful Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, the Speech House Walk and Mallards Pike Lake. A little further afield, but still well worth a visit, is Symonds Yat Rock. It's located a few miles to the north east and includes a climb to a wonderful view point overlooking the Wye Valley.

Coleford OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Coleford Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Coleford

  • Cannop Ponds - These two large ponds in the Forest of Dean are a lovely spot for an easy afternoon stroll
  • Forest of Dean Family Cycle Trail - A fine Family Cycle ride around the beautiful Forest of Dean - submitted by David Curtis.
    This circular route takes you along National Cycle route 42 and the Wye Valley path through the delightful Forest of Dean
  • Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail - This delightful walking trail takes you to a unique collection of high-quality, contemporary sculptures, within the Forest of Dean
  • Gloucestershire Way - Travel from Chepstow in Wales to Tewkesbury in Gloucestshire and visit the Forest of Dean, the Severn Plain and the Cotswolds on this beautiful and varied walk
  • Puzzlewood - Try the delightful family trail in these magical woods near Coleford in the Forest of Dean.
    In the woods you will find ancient trees, rope bridges, interesting rock formations, secret caves and overhanging boulders
  • Coleford Milkwall and Parkend Railway Path - This short cycling and walking path follows the disused Coleford Milkwall and Parkend railway from Coleford to Parkend
  • Mallards Pike Lake - Enjoy an easy stroll around this pretty lake in the Forest of Dean
  • Symonds Yat Rock - Enjoy wonderful views over the Wye Valley from this well known viewpoint on the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire border
  • Speech House Walk - This walk explores the woodland and lakes surrounding the Speech House Hotel in the Forest of Dean.
  • Nagshead Nature Reserve - This walk visits the Nagshead Nature Reserve in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire.
  • Parkend - This pretty village is located in the Forest of Dean in West Gloucestershire.

Photos

Cannop Ponds - geograph.org.uk - 1319166

Here the start of the second and smaller of the two Cannop Ponds can be seen through the trees.

Cannop Pond - geograph.org.uk - 743632

Looking across the more northerly of the two ponds.

Coleford Market Place - geograph.org.uk - 743937 - edit

The town centre with the clock tower - Coleford

Edge of Puzzle Wood - geograph.org.uk - 841835

Edge of Puzzle Wood Puzzle Wood, in the Forest of Dean, contains 14 acres of Pre-Roman open cast iron ore mines. 200 years ago, pathways were laid to form an unusual maze.

Peckett 0-4-0ST 1893 of 1936 & goods shed, Great Western Railway Museum, Coleford 30.10.1994 Scans012 (10873725825)

Great Western Railway Museum, Coleford

Glimpse into Coleford - geograph.org.uk - 5692281

Glimpse into Coleford

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Coleford.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Coleford.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)