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Walks From Parkend Forest Of Dean

3.73 miles (6 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This pretty village is located in the Forest of Dean in West Gloucestershire.
Parkend is situated right next to miles of woodland trails and fine local walks including the popular Cannop Ponds and the wildlife rich RSPB Nagshead Nature Reserve. In the village you can also pick up the Dean Forest Railway and enjoy a ride on one of the splendid heritage steams trains.
This circular walk from Parkend train station follows a section of the Gloucestershire Way long distance footpath north to the Nagshead Reserve and Cannop Ponds which lie just to the north. You can then follow a shared cyling and walking trail along the Forest of Dean Family Route back to the village.
Just east of Cannop Ponds you could take a small detour to visit the splendid New Fancy Viewpoint. Set on the site of the old coal mine the viewpoint is a fine place to watch birds of prey soaring through the skies above. There's also the 'Roll of Honour' sculpture and the Geomap - a map you can walk on showing the underlying geology of the forest. A car park and picnic area add to this pleasant local attraction which is located only a mile or so north east of Parkend.

Postcode

GL15 4JF - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Parkend OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Parkend Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Parkend

  • Coleford Milkwall and Parkend Railway Path - This short cycling and walking path follows the disused Coleford Milkwall and Parkend railway from Coleford to Parkend
  • 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
  • Coleford - 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
  • Cannop Ponds - These two large ponds in the Forest of Dean are a lovely spot for an easy afternoon stroll
  • Speech House Walk - This walk explores the woodland and lakes surrounding the Speech House Hotel in 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
  • Nagshead Nature Reserve - This walk visits the Nagshead Nature Reserve in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire.

Pubs/Cafes

The Woodman is a good option for post walk refreshment. They serve high quality locally source dishes, cooked by high level trained chefs. There's an attractive interior and a lovely courtyard area outside for warmer days. You can find them just east of the reserve car park at postcode GL15 4JF.
There's also The Fountain Inn. The inn was built over 200 years ago and then extended when the Severn and Wye Railway reached the village in 1875. There's some interesting local items on display in this historic pub.

Photos

Parkend village

Parkend village

Nagshead Lower Hide

View of Lower Hide at Nagshead woodland reserve, located on the western edge of Parkend. More than 30 different butterflies and 20 dragonflies and damselflies have been seen at Nagshead. 8 of Britain's 12 reptiles and amphibians breed here; common lizard, slowworm, adder, grass snake, common frog, common toad, smooth newt and palmate newt.

The Woodman, Parkend - geograph.org.uk - 2187070

The Woodman, Parkend

Dean Forest Railway, Parkend - geograph.org.uk - 2518711

Dean Forest Railway, Parkend

Cannop Ponds - geograph.org.uk - 2798535

Cannop Ponds

Forest Footpath - geograph.org.uk - 1318611

Forest Footpath. This track winds its way up York Hill,to the Nagshead RSPB Nature Reserve.

Bluebells - geograph.org.uk - 117889

Bluebells. A common sight in the Forest of Dean during late spring/early summer. These bluebells are pictured under the oaks of Nagshead Plantation.

River Lyd in Parkend - May 2012 - panoramio

River Lyd in Parkend

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Parkend.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)