Explore the Forest of Dean with this collection of 15 carefully chosen short walks covering ancient woodland, dramatic viewpoints, wildlife-rich nature reserves and fascinating industrial heritage. Ranging from 4 to 9km and all completable in under three hours, these routes feature no challenging terrain or complicated navigation, making them ideal for families, casual walkers and visitors keen to make the most of their time in this unique corner of England.

• Each of the 15 short walks features clear, easy-to-read Ordnance Survey maps tied to numbered route descriptions, making navigation straightforward and confidence-boosting, perfect for beginners and those new to walking
• Practical information is included for every route, with details on parking, facilities and refreshment stops, helping you plan stress-free days out
• Walks showcase some of the Forest of Dean's most memorable highlights, including the Dean Sculpture Trail, Tidenham Chase and the Devil's Pulpit, Nagshead Nature Reserve, May Hill and the dramatic Wye Valley gorge
• Routes feature extraordinary rock formations such as Near Hearkening Rock and the Buckstone, spectacular viewpoints, sections of Offa's Dyke Path and the Wysis Way, fascinating industrial archaeology including blast furnaces and tramways, and wildlife-friendly lakes at Woorgreens and Cannop Ponds
• Key centres including Chepstow, Monmouth, Coleford and Cinderford provide easy access to the walks, with bases and travel information included to help you plan your visit

Part of Cicerone's trusted Short Walks series, this Forest of Dean guidebook brings together everything you need for an enjoyable, low-stress day out. Whether visiting for a day or staying longer to explore this ancient royal hunting forest on the border of England and Wales, it is an ideal companion for discovering the Forest of Dean's woodland scenery.

15 Short Walks in the Forest of Dean - Quick Facts

Walks: 15 short walks   
Distance range: 4 to 9km   
Duration: All under three hours   
Difficulty: Easy to moderate; no challenging terrain or complicated navigation   
Perfect for: Beginner walkers, families and weekend breaks  
Key centres: Coleford and Cinderford (within the Forest); Chepstow, Monmouth, Lydney and Gloucester (access points)   
Walk highlights: Tidenham Chase and the Devil's Pulpit, Dean Sculpture Trail, Nagshead Nature Reserve, May Hill, Near Hearkening Rock and the Buckstone, Crabtree Hill and Woorgreens Lake, Soudley Valley Rural Geology Trail   
Notable features: Ancient woodland, dramatic viewpoints, Wye Valley gorge, Offa's Dyke Path, Wysis Way, industrial archaeology including blast furnaces and tramways, Woorgreens and Cannop Ponds   
Mapping: Ordnance Survey maps included for each walk, with numbered points tied to route descriptions   
Digital navigation: GPX files available to download   
Practical information: Parking, facilities and refreshment stops are listed for every walk   
Best season: Year-round; autumn woodland colours particularly exceptional

Author Highlight

“Despite its compact size, sandwiched between the Severn and the Wye, the Forest of Dean offers a magical blend of outstanding scenery, industrial history and richly varied wildlife. It is very much a walker’s paradise, with a plethora of paths, tracks and forest roads providing endless possibilities. There are almost too many options – but the signposting is generally good, the selected routes are easy to follow, and all the walks are circular.”

- Mike Dunn, author of 15 Short Walks in the Forest of Dean

Using this guide
Route summary table
Map key
Introduction
Walking in the Forest of Dean
Special things to see
Bases and places to stay
Travel
The walks
Walk 1 Tidenham Chase and the Devil’s Pulpit
Walk 2 The Hudnalls and the Wye
Walk 3 Redbrook and Newland
Walk 4 The Kymin from Wyesham
Walk 5 Near Hearkening Rock and the Buckstone
Walk 6 Brierley and Ruardean Hill
Walk 7 Bixslade and Cannop
Walk 8 The Dean Sculpture Trail
Walk 9 Nagshead Nature Reserve
Walk 10 Crabtree Hill and Woorgreens Lake
Walk 11 Soudley Valley Rural Geology Trail
Walk 12 Blaize Bailey from Soudley Ponds
Walk 13 May Hill
Walk 14 St Anthony’s Well and Welshbury Hill
Walk 15 Newnham and Haie Hill
Useful information

Seasons

Every walk can be enjoyed throughout the year, but the woodland colours in Autumn, from bright yellow through orange to deep red, are exceptional.

Centres

Chepstow, Monmouth, Lydney and Gloucester provide access; Coleford and Cinderford are the main centres within the Forest.

Difficulty

None of the walks should pose difficulties for competent walkers, although the sheer number of woodland paths means that care is needed in places to ensure that the correct route is selected.

Must See

The area features extraordinary rock formations such as Near Hearkening Rock, spectacular viewpoints including May Hill and the Devil’s Pulpit, sections of long-distance routes such as Offa’s Dyke Path and the Wysis Way, fascinating industrial archaeology including blast furnaces and tramways, and wildlife-friendly lakes such as Woorgreens and Cannop Ponds.

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