Forest of Dean Ramblers publishes a book of walks which is available either in hardcopy or as downloads of individual chapters from this website. We also publish a number of walks leaflets, all of which are available as a free download from this website or in hardcopy from selected local outlets. (Click on an image on this page to see the associated Start Point Map).
Exploring Historic Dean
Our publication Exploring Historic Dean has to be your handbook to explore this great area. Tucked between the Rivers Severn and Wye, the Forest of Dean is undoubtedly one of Britain's most beautiful areas and includes some of the most attractive woodland in the country, as well as providing superb views over the Welsh Hills, Malverns, and Cotswolds. Such a landscape offers almost unlimited opportunities for walking, but, it may come as a surprise to learn that the area was once a busy industrial centre, with mines, quarries, ironworks, and others. This publication will guide you on some of the best walking in the area and will give you an insight into its' fascinating history going back several thousand years.
Printed copies of Exploring Historic Dean are available at a number of local outlets which are listed below. The introduction, which includes a list of the walks in the book, and a location map with the start points, is available as a free download here. The remaining chapters, detailing the walks in the book along with descriptions of the route and points of interest along it, are available individually.
Walk Leaflets
The following walks leaflets are available for Download only from this website:
The Beechenhurst Trail is an 8 mile circular walk in the east of the Forest of Dean through some of the oldest and most varied woodland. A moderate walk starting from the Parking Area at Beechenhurst Lodge (Pay and Display).
The Highmeadow Trail is an 11 mile circular walk in the west of the Forest of Dean with stunning views, a ferry crossing and a footbridge over the River Wye. This is a demanding but rewarding walk with steep assents and descents, starting at Symonds Yat Rock car park. Included in the details are two variants of the route: a 13 mile route that does not use the ferry, and a 9 mile route that does not cross the river.
Note: The GPX file for this walk includes all 3 routes.
The Soudley Circles Walks are three circular walks of approximately 3 miles each in the vicinity of Upper Soudley.
All three routes include uphill sections and are not wheelchair friendly.
Publication downloads are in PDF format.
Exploring Historic Dean-Introduction Download
Exploring Historic Dean-Walk 1
Little Doward, Symonds Yat, and the Wye Gorge (5 miles/8 km) Download GPX
Norchard, Oldcroft, and Pillowell (5½ miles/9 km) Download GPX
Soudley, Staple Edge, and Bradley Hill (5½ miles/9 km) Download GPX
Gatcombe, Purton, and Blakeney (6 miles/9½ km) Download GPX
Beechenhurst, Trafalgar, and Speech House (6½ miles/10½ km) Download GPX
St Briavels, Mork, and Hudnalls Wood (6½ miles/10½ km) Download GPX
Cannop, Nagshead, and Parkend (6½ miles/10½ km) Download GPX
Lydbrook, Joy's Green, and Ruardean (6½ miles/10½ km) Download GPX
Clearwell, Whitecliff, and Newland (7 miles/11 km) Download GPX
Exploring Historic Dean-Walk 10
Plump Hill, Flaxley, and Abenhall (7½ or 5 miles/12 or 8 km) Download GPX
Hope Mansell, Lea Bailey, and Wigpool (7½ or 5 miles/12 or 8 km) Download GPX
Newnham, Bullo Pill, and Blaize Bailey (8 miles/13 km) Download GPX
Redbrook, The Kymin, and Staunton Stones (8 or 7 miles/13 or 11 km) Download GPX
Tidenham Chase, Hewelsfield, and Offa's Dyke (10 or 8 miles/16 or 13 km) Download GPX
The Beechenhurst Trail (8 miles/13 km) Download GPX
The Highmeadow Trail (11 miles/18 km) Download GPX
The Soudley Circles Walks (3 x 3 miles/5 km) Download GPX
Local Outlets
Copies of Exploring Historic Dean are available at the following local outlets:
Apex Outdoors, Five Acres, Coleford, GL16 8QQ 01594 835160 Website Map
Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley, GL14 2UB 01594 822170 Website Map
Norchard Steam Centre, Lydney, GL15 4ET Map
Brockweir Community Shop, Brockweir, NP16 7NW 01291 689995 Website Map
Rossiters Bookshop, Monmouth, NP25 3BX Map
Rossiters Bookshop, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 5HL Map
Copies of Our Walk Leaflets are available at the following local outlets:
Beechenhurst Lodge, Coleford, GL16 7EJ Map