Cotswold Challenge

26 mile route

Abbreviations

CB = Compass Bearing; AH = Ahead; R = Right; L = Left; TL = Turn Left; FP = Footpath; TR = Turn Right; XTK = Cross Tracks; BW = Bridleway; CW = Cotswold Way; SP = Signpost; WMK = Waymark; FR = Fork Right; BR = Bear Right; FL = Fork Left; RD = Road; BL = Bear Left TK = Track; KG = Kissing Gate; ST = Stile; Thru = through

Notes

·         Certain roads are very busy and extreme care is needed

·         The route crosses extensive farmland: please shut & fasten all gates, keep dogs on leads and respect crops, livestock and farming operations

·         5 minutes before starting time please assemble outside village hall and await starter’s instructions

 

1.       From Birdlip Village Hall AH on TK for 30 yds to RD.  TL on RD for ¼ mile & at end of pavement on L, TR on BW (concrete path) by ‘Birdlip View’.  In 10 yds thru gate, AH on stoned BW for 150 yds & on reaching Stone Wall on R (50 yds before elec post) TL thru metal gate into field.  AH, keeping parallel to and about 20 yds from hedge on R (slope on L) & in 200 yds at hedge corner, ignore gate & AH with hedge on R.  In a further 50 yds, as hedge descends & veers to R, AH to reach ST by gate & tree. (0.7 miles, GR SO 933136).

2.       Over ST & TL CB 105, AH to follow faint path with hedge on R.  On reaching hedge corner, descend slightly to R & AH with hedge on R & bushes on L.  After 200 yds TR over ST by gate.  Ascend field diagonally left CB 130 to reach metal gate in far corner (ignoring previous gate on R).  (1.1 miles, GR SO 938132).

3.       Thru gate (please fasten), TR & ascend grassy TK which bends to L around a coppice.  At end of coppice, AH in field with hedge on R & in 100 yds TR thru gate.  AH on TK between hedges to reach RD at edge of Brimpsfield. (1.3 miles, GR SO 940130).

4.       TR on RD & in 300 yds at RD junction by War Memorial, AH SP “Caudle Green”.  AH on RD for 300 yds to pass blue “Single Track Road “and “30mph” signs & in a further 50 yds TR on FP.  In 10 yds thru KG to L of metal gate. AH with hedge on R & in 50 yds ignore gap on R.  In a further 200 yds thru KG on R by gate & descend path. (1.9 miles).

5.       On reaching edge of woods, AH with fence on R & grassy slope on L to reach ST.  Over ST & X 2nd ST in 50 yds to continue with woods on either side, following valley bottom on grass path for ½ mile. 100 yds before cottages, TR onto stoned path following valley to gate & RD.  Thru gate (WMK) and in 10 yds TR (SP) over stone ST to ascend steep bank to stone ST & RD. TR on RD passing sign “Caudle Green”. Ascend RD to Village Green. Turn ½ L across Green to stone ST & wooden gate.  (3.0 miles, GR SO 943105).

6.       Over ST & in 30 yds over further ST.  Cross narrow field & over ST in fence. Up steps, BL & AH on narrow FP thru crops (cutting corner of field) to reach waymarked post by wooden electricity pole at edge of woods.  TR & follow edge of field with woods on L.  AH to stone ST in corner of field (overgrown). (3.2 miles, GR SO 942102).

7.       Over ST, AH on path past WMK thru woods & in 10 yds over XTK&AH on TK to join TK from R by WMK.  In 300yds AH on TK to descend TK ignoring forks on right. Before bottom, at TK T Jct & 3-way WMK, AH thru vegetation (path initially indistinct) to descend narrow FP & over double plank footbridge. XTK & AH to ascend narrow waymarked FP.  On emerging thru trees AH on indistinct path thru rough vegetation & in 15 yds TR at waymark post to reach ST in fence.  Over ST & turn half L over grassland to reach grassed TK. TR & follow TK with fence on L, thru sheep gate to reach drive.  Turn L on drive & descend.  Ignore bend to L & AH, shortly going thru gate (please fasten) & ascending to reach RD in Miserden.  AH on RD to reach:-  Control Check. CIRCULAR BUS SHELTER, 4.3 miles, GR SO 937089. (OPEN 09:15 - 10:30).

8.       FL on RD (pub on R) for 250 yds to reach T-junct. TL (ignoring 1st L) for 30 yds, TR at Lypiatt Cottage on enclosed FP, thru 2 gates & field (hedge on L) to reach 5-bar gate. AH, X TK, thru 2nd 5-bar gate to ST, over & descend to reach TK. TL for 50 yds, TR thru metal gate & descend into valley (CB 226⁰) thru 1st metal gate then trees to 2nd metal gate, AH descending FP to bottom, then, bearing L ascend FP (CB 226⁰) to reach KG at copse. (5.3 miles, GR SO 927075).

9.       Thru gate, AH thru copse on FP to field. AH on FP (CB 225⁰), X 2 fields to X stone ST, AH on same FP to X 2nd wooden ST, AH X field to X 3rd double ST. TL along LH field edge thru gate to RD. TL for 40 yds, TR thru metal gate (a bit stiff) & TR to descend FP on CB 260⁰ aiming for wall on R & small wooden gate (ignore 1st metal gate in wall). Thru gate & AH to descend FP on same CB (ignore sheep path) to reach stream at bottom, thru gate & stream to ascend FP opposite, keeping trees on L. 30 yds before top LH corner, BR to metal gate. (6.4 miles, GR SO 915064).

10.   Thru gate, AH on wide FP to join TK in 400 yds from R, AH on TK to RD & AH for 250 yds to: CHECK POINT 1: KING GEORGE’S FIELD, 7.1 miles, GR SO 906060. (OPEN 10:00 - 12:15); (cold drinks & cake).

11.   Return to RD & TR to T-junct in Bisley. Take 2nd RD on L “Village Only”, AH for 150 yds, FR on RD “Unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles”, past wells on R. After LH bend, in 75 yds (just after Hill House), FR up tarmac FP, becoming enclosed for 350 yds to reach & X ST & open space. AH on FP and Permissive Path thru young copse to ST / gate. (8.0 miles, GR SO 895055).

12.   X ST & TL for 30 yds, AH on open hillside (CB 230) crossing under power lines (feint path to L of line of trees in middle of field) contouring & passing single marker post to eventually reach 2 short marker posts in open hillside. AH on CB 255(RH post) to reach wood, X ST & descend FP, X TK & descend FP opposite to X Stream bridge. AH to ascend FP opposite (very steep) up steps to X ST, AH up field to X further ST. AH with fence on R to metal KG & RD. (8.8 miles, GR SO 884054).

13.   TR on RD for 300 yds to Junct. TR & in 200 yds TL over ST, X field to RD, X with care, X ST opposite & AH on enclosed FP to RH field corner. X ST & 2nd field (going slightly L on CB 305) to gap in wood, AH, X ST & descend narrow enclosed FP (beware barbed wire fence) to X ST by stump to reach TK. TL & in 60 yds path bends R, descend steeply to T Jct where TL for 10 yds to minor X TK. TR for 30 yds to bench & TL down path in front of bench to reach RD. (9.8 miles, GR SO 873064).

14.   TR on RD for 300 yds to reach T junct, TL, after 250 yds reach ST on R, X & ascend FP to RD. TR on pavement for 150 yds, TL &X RD with care to ascend tarmac FP opposite. (10.4 miles, GR SO 872069).

15.   AH, crossing remains of ST next to green field gate to reach open hillside keeping boundary on R to reach ST. X & enter wood to ascend enclosed FP to eventually reach lane at top. TL for 250 yds, FR on FP, thru metal gate on R, to 2nd metal gate. AH alongside field edge on R. After 300 yds ignore metal gate on R, AH down edge of 2nd field to ST in RH corner, X & TL down TK (lane) to reach RD. (11.8 miles, GR SO 853067).

16.   X RD & AH on TK opposite (Hammonds Farm) to reach FP SP on R (just before farm). TR along LH edge of field to corner, AH to X ST, TL along field edge to X ST, AH 15 yds to RD, TL uphill to reach A46. (12.4 miles, GR SO 850076).

17.   TR on pavement for 20 yds, then X RD with care & AH on FP opposite, thru 2 metal KGs to RD. TR for 15 yds, then TL up path between houses to RD. TL to Jct, AH on BW to gate, AH to ascend field keeping hedge / wall / trees on R. Thru wide gap in trees & AH, ascending hillside in front to reach ST in top LH corner. X & AH up FP to reach RD. (13.3 miles, GR SO 839082).

18.   X to verge opposite, TL for 20 yds, TR on minor RD for 50 yds, TR over ST along enclosed FP for ½ mile to reach RD & Car Park on L &:- CHECK POINT 2: HARESFIELD CAR PARK, 13.9 miles, GR SO 832086. (OPEN 11:15 - 14:15); (hot & cold drinks & cake).

19.   (join CW in this section) Cross Car Park to join Cotswold Way (CW) and follow SW for 500m to Topograph & SELF-CLIP A, CLIP BOX A (GR SO 827083). TR (North) on CW and follow to WMK where TL on wide TK (CW). AH on TK (CW) for 500 yds then BR with CW, soon up steps to KG and TL at National Trust Sign board. Follow CW thru gates, contouring round hill to reach Trig Point at Haresfield Beacon & SELF-CLIP B, CLIP BOX B, 15.0 miles, (GR SO 820089).

20.   (stay on CW in this section) TR & follow CW with fence / hedge on L, thru KG, AH on FP fence on R to reach 2 metal gates & RD. (15.2 miles, GR SO 823092).

21.   (stay on CW in this section) TL on RD for 15 yds, TR on TK for ½ mile to reach RD. TR on RD uphill for 250 yds, then FL onto FP (becomes TK) for ½ mile. 300 yds after Woodside Cottage TR up FP to RD. (17.1 miles, GR SO 845092).

22.   (stay on CW in this section) X RD with care, AH on FP opposite, up steps (Painswick Beacon across to your L) following CW markers across open hillside, then trees to reach RD. (17.4 miles, GR SO 850090).

23.   (stay on CW in this section) X RD with care, to pavement opposite, TR & in 35 yds TL down RD for 250 yds to TL thru KG. AH on FP (fence on R) to TR thru gate, AH down field with fence on R passing CW Stone to gate, thru & AH. X bridge to KG, AH on FP to KG, thru & TR on TK past buildings to X drive past house on R. (18.0 miles, GR SO 859094).

24.   (stay on CW in this section) Follow CW right (stone house on R) to KG, thru & AH on FP with hedge on L. At hedge corner AH to far gate where TL (not thru). Thru KG & follow CW uphill, fence on L to KG, thru & along enclosed path. TR at end along 2nd enclosed FP, thru KG into field following CW to RD. (18.5 miles, GR SO 863097).

25.   (stay on CW in this section) TR on RD for 50 yds, TL into Lane (Hambutts Barn on L) which becomes RD. Follow RD to R (passing school on L) to eventually reach T Junct at Gloucester Street “One Way”. TL & follow RD for 500 yds passing Pullens Rd on L. TR with CW on “Golf Course RD”. In 100 yds, L thru Ramblers Car Park which rejoins RD & in 50 yds TL at FP sign. In 10 yds TR & follow FP thru trees & X Golf Course to reach RD. (19.3 miles, GR SO 868107).

26.   (stay on CW in this section) Cross RD & AH to reach corner of Cemetery Wall in 50 yds. Follow the path along the length of the wall, may be obscured with vegetation, bearing R to keep parallel with the wall. At end of wall, AH over fairway to continue on CW FP opposite.  AH on FP & then TR on TK to reach RD.  (19.9 miles, GR SO 867116).

27.   (leave CW to CPt) TL on RD, over brow & descend to shortly reach lay-by on R and:- CHECK POINT 3: PAINSWICK BEACON, 20.1 miles, GR SO 867118. (OPEN 12:45 - 16:30); (cold drink & cake)

28.   (rejoin CW in this section) Retrace steps 50 yds to rejoin CW (not RD). Take the most direct & obvious route, i.e. grass & then gravelled path to reach hillside in 30 yds.  TL & AH with wooded slope on L for 230 yds to reach gravelled TK.  AH for 50 yds & TL up steps to ascend earthwork.  Follow path for length of earthwork, passing Trig Point / Topograph & BR to continue with wooded slope on L and Golf Course on R. At end of Golf Course, AH on TK to reach metalled RD.  AH on RD for 120 yds& fork L into Buckholt Wood. In ¼ ml over minor RD & AH on FP opposite to reach A46.  (21.6 miles, GR SO 881130).

29.   (stay on CW in this section) X RD with care & AH along Buckholt Road opposite.  In 100 yds TL at CW sign (follow CW WMKs or white spots thru woods). Ascend on TK to top to reach T-Junction.  TL & at fork BL to descend following wall on L.  At bottom by grass triangle, FR & follow CW. In 300 yds at fork, AH on lower FP.  In 200 yds fork R to follow upper FP.  In 80 yds TR thru KG & in 50 yds TL on CW.  In ¼ ml TR to ascend on L FP.  At top, BL across open ground towards SP& steep slope ahead with erosion notices. TL & descend into woods following waymarked path.  The path eventually curves R to go thru KG to car park below COOPERS HILL (23.0 miles, GR 892148).

30.   (leave CW in this section) AH & TR on RD & in 50 yds ignore ST on L. In a further 140 yds by telegraph pole TL over broken ST on RH side of brown metal gate (views of Witcombe Reservoirs) leaving CW.  TR & thru green metal gate & descend on LHS of narrow field to reach waymarked ST in far L corner (ignore first ST immediately to L). Over ST into large open field & bear diagonally L on CB 106 over rough uneven ground to reach ST at LH end of row of willow trees.  Over ST &AH to reach ST by TK.  (23.5 miles, GR SO 899146).

31.   Over ST & cross TK &narrow field to trees.  TL & AH with trees on R for 120 yds to power lines & TR to X footbridge.  TL & AH with stream on L to reach TK at LH field corner.  TL & follow TK with reservoir on R towards house. (23.7 miles, GR SO 903146).

32.   After passing house on L, TR on causeway between reservoirs.  At end of reservoirs turn sharp R over ST.  Cross field, bearing L to reach wooden fence &AH to reach ST.  Over ST & cross next field thru gap in electric fence to reach ST to L of farm buildings.  Over ST & TL on farm TK & thru gate to reach RD.  TR on RD, pass church & at bend AH, passing “No Thru Road” sign to reach FP sign by green gate.  SELF-CLIP C, CLIP BOX C, 24.4 miles, GR SO 911146 (Closes 18:00)

33.   TL thru KG by green gate.  Follow hedge on L & thru gate, thru twin ST’s into further field.  AH& at end of field TL thru KG.  Ascend AH on CB 92, thru 2 fields keeping to L of line of 3 large Oak Trees to pass wooden post on L (L of 3rd Oak Tree) to reach KG in L corner. (25.2 miles, GR SO 917144).

34.   Thru KG, cross TK to enter woods & ascend FP to reach major TK (CW) at T-Junction.  TL on TK to reach RD in Birdlip village.  Cross RD & follow pavement with railings & AH to reach:- FINISH. BIRDLIP VILLAGE HALL, OPEN UNTIL 18:30, 26.1 miles, GR SO 928143. (4,333 Ft of Ascent).

CONGRATULATIONS (and see you next year)