Author: Pip

FoD COMMUNITY WALKS

Special Walks Spring 2026

This year there will be this Spring programme, and a later Summer programme to be published in June. The walks are mainly circular and feature points of interest. Distances vary between 1.5 and 7 miles and will take between 1 and 3.5 hours. These are in addition to our normal programme of regular walks.

Date	Time	Name	Miles	Level
April 10th	10.30	COPPET HILL WALK	6.6	5
April 24th	2.00	LYDNEY HARBOUR AND WILDFLOWERS	2	2
May 5th	2.00	AROUND SOUDLEY PONDS	1.5	1
May 14th	1.00	SLADE BROOK SSSI AND TUFA DAMS	3	4
June 4th	10.30	WENCHFORD TO MALLARDS PIKE AND RETURN	3.75	3
June 18th	10.30	BREAM—LITTLE DRYBROOK CIRCULAR	3.5	3

PLEASE NOTE: On all walks, walkers participate at their own risk.
If you are unsure whether the walk will be right for you, please contact the person leading the walk.

Friday / April 10TH / at 10.30 am	COPPET HILL WALK	Leader - Anna / 07980 820103
6.6 miles 4 hours Level 5 (length, mud, ascent, descent)	Park and meet at Goodrich Primary School HR9 6HY eyeliner.houseboat.somewhere	BRING LUNCH AND A DRINK. Refreshments afterwards at Flanesford Priory, Kerne Bridge

The route starts with a walk down the road to Kerne Bridge. Next, the lovely riverside path for about 2.7 miles, which of course could be muddy. The route now starts the climb through the old deer park (possible cows) towards and around the historic Courtfield and then it levels out. At about 4 miles there is a fairly steep climb into the woods and the top of the hill before a pleasant stroll back down to Goodrich. The sights of the Wye valley and open fields are capped off by the wonderful views from Coppet Hill.

NB. Public toilets at Lower Lydbrook

Friday / APRIL 24TH / at 2 oclock	LYDNEY HARBOUR AND WILDFLOWERS	Leader - Barbara / 07814 462308
2 miles, 1 hour / Level 2	Meet at the end of Harbour Road by the industrial area. GL15 4ER stalemate.become.glitters	Refreshments at / Hips Harbour Cafe
The route takes us towards the river and the Harbour where steps take us up to the wildflower wood alongside the Severn. The return route is past Naas House. / NB The woodland path is narrow with exposed tree roots and it may be muddy in places, otherwise surfaces are fairly good.

Tuesday / May 5TH / at 2.00pm	AROUND SOUDLEY PONDS	Leader - Pip 07421368745
1.5 miles, / 1 hour / Level 1	Free parking and meet at Dean Heritage Centre GL14 2UB passwords.loaded.baffle	Refreshments at the Heritage Coffee Shop
A gentle walk around the ponds to see the ducks and perhaps there will be wild flowers in bloom too. Once round the ponds and back to the café in time for tea (maybe a scone too?)

Thursday / May 14TH / at 1.00pm	SLADE BROOK SSSI AND TUFA DAMS	Leader - John 07517 777202
3 miles, 2 hours Level 4 (tricky descent)	Meet and park at St Briavels Church GL15 6RG icicles.ascendant.issue	Refreshments at the Assembly Rooms Cafe
The first three quarters of a mile section of the walk is a descent of 400 feet down an uneven/rough track to Slade Brook. Next comes the much more gentle climb through an attractive woodland and along the brook to see the tufa dams. Expect some mud. The last section is across farmland with, perhaps, frolicking lambs.

Thursday / JUNE 4th / at 10.30	WENCHFORD TO MALLARDS PIKE AND RETURN	Leader—Peter / 07500 723931
3.75 miles Level 3 2hr 30mins including time for refreshments	Meet at Wenchford Car Park GL15 4DH wobbling.chops.wiggles / Charges apply so car sharing suggested. Check messages about this on our Facebook two weeks before the walk.	Refereshments at / Mallards Pike Cafe

A “there and back” walk stopping for refreshments at Mallards Pike. It is a walk through the woodland above Blackpool Brook. It starts with a gradual climb and then levels out until reaching Mallards Pike down a short steepish slope.

Thursday / JUNE 18TH / at 10.30	BREAM—LITTLE DRYBROOK CIRCULAR	Leader—Ann / 07818 891760
3.5 miles 2 hours Level 4 length/ascent	Park and meet at West Dean Centre / High Street Bream GL15 6JW resolved.arriving.named	Refereshments at / Bream Cafe

The walk heads off down Hang Hill and Dark Wood to the Flour Mill. The next mile is a gradual climb and then a drop down to Little Drybrook. Perhaps a quick look round the nursery there. The return route, skirting Shutcaste Hill, leads to the bottom of Mill Hill. From there it is a bit of a climb back up to Bream.

Level of walk difficulty
Level 1 – Easy walking on mainly flat surfaces. Level 2 – Walks may have some rough surfaces and gentle slopes. Level 3 – Longer walks with some uneven, sloping or rough paths. Level 4 – More difficult than a Level 3—reason to be explained Level 5— Challenging—reason to be explained