WYE FOREST 50
(53 miles with 9300ft ascent)
14th and 15th APRIL 2018
Key:- Map: OL14 or LR 162
BL=bear left, BR=bear R, BW=bridleway, CT=Cycle Track, FoD=Forest of Dean, FB=footbridge, FL=fork left, FP=footpath, FPS=footpath sign, FR=fork right, KG=kissing gate, L=left, R=right, RBW=Restricted Byway, SLOT=same line of travel, SP=sign post, ST=stile, TJ=tee junction, TK=track, TL=turn left, TR=turn right, WM=waymark arrow, yds=yards, X=cross, (nnn°)=mag bearing. RWL=railway line SO=straight on/over
BHT=Beechenhurst Trail, HMT=Highmeadow Trail, ODP=Offas Dyke Path, WVW=Wye Valley Walk, WW=Wysis Way. GW=Gloucester Way
DEANWOOD HOUSE SO632060 GL15 4TY Start: walkers 9.30 & runners 10.30
Note:
on OS map Deanwood
House is marked as Shaphouse
Farm
All distances are imperial
Deanwood House to Worcester Lodge 8.8 miles - 1,542ft ascent
1.1 Leave Deanwood via gate into woods and TL on wide TK initially fences both sides, then fence on R only. Continue SLOT to 2nd fence on R. Cont downhill, TK widens, stream on L. Fence now on L (solar panel plantation on L). Just before TJ with wide TK TL on narrow path. Follow to fence (solar PP still on L). At fence corner continue on FP round to L. Continue past KG on L to TK (pylon in front). TR past pylon (now on L) to TJ with wide TK. TR and in 15 yds TL downhill thru bluebells. FP descends steeply. Continue to pass house on R & TL to reach road. SO630043
1.2 TR X RD WITH CARE and in 30yds TL on FP. TR beside RWL for 750yrds, pass ruin on your R, up steps TL to X RWL WITH CARE and follow TK uphill. Just before TK bends to L, BR on small FP 265°
to gate to exit woods. BR when path splits & follow FP signs. TL up farm track to RD. SO616050
1.3 TR & follow road for 380 yds; past broken field gate to next house (No 18) on L TL into field (wooden SP). Ensure gate is closed. Ahead to telegraph post, then follow line of posts across two fields, in 200 yds go thru 1st of two staggered gates. Ahead with wire fence on your R to pass white farmhouse. Pass wooden power pole & cross wooden bridge. TR on tarmac drive then TL on drive. In 90 yds after passing ‘Saunders Green House’ on R, TR onto TK. When TK swings R, TL into
woodland uphill. On reaching road TL to Whitecroft; ahead to X-road. SO616060
1.4 Cross road WITH CARE & TL and almost immediately TR into Parkhill. SO & when road turns R go ahead on unmetalled lane passing ‘Oaklea’. Ahead & past ‘Parkhill Lodge’ on L, cont SO thru gate & at fork BL. At XTK SO under yellow height barrier, gate, 2nd yellow height barrier to RD.
SO608070
1.5 TL on RD & in 10 yds TR (3 large grey poles that used to have sign) on metaled TK. At fork BR, over
stone blocks. Cont ahead for 400 yds and T sharp R onto TK (waist high post either side of TK). Now on GW but not much to confirm; on bend to L FR on small FP 40°. At TJ, TR to next J & TL up path.
At J BR to cont on GW, & at main TK TR. Cont on TK & follow bend to R to RD. SO605080
1.6 XRD & SO with yellow house on your R. BL up TK. At white house FL to wood barrier & cont to gate
at Nags Head. Thru gate, TL & in 10 yds BR. Cont & at J keep R. Cont past broken gate and fallen tree to TJ. TR & in 15 yds TR on small path to meet main TK. TR to barrier and RD. XRD & BR passing FoD Stone Firms on your R. TR to X bridge & immediately TL leaving GW to walk along pond edge path. Ignore all R turns & continue ahead at BHT signs to go thru picnic area keeping to LH
edge. SO609106
1.7 BL over bridge & follow path with pond on your R to road. CROSS WITH CARE and go ahead thru
car park to pass barrier (BHT). In 230 yds ahead over X-TK (BHT) (in 50yds if wet divert to L to avoid muddy area). Continue up & in 190yds over main X-TK. (WM) to ascend ahead. Over further X-TK
and continue ascending. Near top TL with wire fence & quarry on your R. SO603112
1.8 Continue ahead to TR at forestry track (BHT). In 470 yds to go over X-TK and ahead on minor path to
L of wooden power pole. In 270 yds FR (yellow arrow on tree) & in 50yds TR at X-TK. Go ahead to road. X road WITH CARE & into drive. TR past barrier to outdoor checkpoint.
CP1 WORCESTER LODGE SO592114 OPEN 11.15 - 13.00 8.7 MILES
THESE TIMES WILL BE ENFORCED; IF YOU ARRIVE EARLY YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE CP OPENS.
WORCESTER LODGE TO ST BRIAVELS 8.3 MILES WITH 1,473FT ASCENT.
2.1 Retrace steps past barrier & TR thru wooden gate. Follow TK for 180yds, then TL at WM (BHT) into
wood. Head North following yellow arrows on trees. Over X-path WM (BHT) & ditch, then ahead on narrow path ignoring all cross paths. At path junction under cables TR & in 15 yds FL past WM (BHT) to follow power poles. In 100yds BL to reach main TK. TL (WM) & in 1/4 mile TL leaving BHT
(WM Five Acres Spur Trail). Ascend to drive to TR then ahead to Road. SO589121
2.2 Cross road WITH CARE and enter wood. Over LH barrier & ahead on main path over X-TK with pond
on your L & ahead to next X-TK to TL (230°) & ahead over X-TK to road. TR & after 20yds cross road
& follow stony drive opposite (FPS & Forestry Commission Road). In 100yds (round RH bend) TL
(FPS) between fences & ahead to golf course. SO580122
2.3 Please consider the golfers & when clear walk quickly across the fairway. Follow route marked with
posts (180°) across course & X-ST in hedge on skyline. Ahead over two fields; at field corner X-ST on L. After 35yds X-ST on R & cross two fields with hedge on L. X-ST, 1/2 R (235°) to X-ST in field corner. Along enclosed path, thru KG, TR & ahead to road. SO574113
2.4 TL on pavement until opposite bus shelter on other side, then cross road WITH CARE, TL & descend
to cross Staunton Road WITH EXTREME CARE. TL & in 30yds TR into Victoria Road & ahead to enter Angus Buchanan VC Recreation Ground at the top. SO570107
2.5 Ahead on metaled path with fence on L. At corner BL & continue with sports field on R. When path turns R around end of sports field continue ahead to go between posts & along tree lined path. Go thru gate & along enclosed path, later drive. When drive turns sharp R go ahead on path (SP) past quarry, X-ST & follow wire fence on L to X-ST in LH corner. Down to road, TL & at corner follow
Burial Path up TK on R to T-Jn. SO559101
(The next 21 miles are through the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty)
2.6 Ahead to X-ST (leaving Burial Path) & descend field (255°) to X-ST in L hedge 40yds before corner. Diagonally across next field (230°) to X-ST in corner, continue on the same bearing for two more fields. Cross TK with miniature railway, thru KG & descend overgrown paddock to X-ST in far corner. TR & over ST to descend to road. SO553098
2.7 TL into Newland village. TR thru church lychgate, across churchyard to SW exit. Ahead across corner of road to go down steep lane opposite. At bottom of hill at T-Jn TR into Laundry Lane. When road swings L, continue straight ahead to gate on L alongside Valley Lodge Stables. Down steps, TR then up steps to KG. Go up fields (250°) to pass thru 2 gates then stile. Ahead for 60 yds then bear R to climb steeply to reach KG at top RH corner. TL on TK & in 5yds at T-Jn TL to barrier
then TR (215°) to go between two tall posts. SO547091
2.8 Follow path descending thru woods (185°); at major cross TK ahead on narrow path descending. Ahead thru gateway & descend across open hillside towards small lake (216°) SO544086
2.9 Thru gate to TK, TL and pass 2 small lakes on R, cross stone bridge & after drive to Birt’s cottage on R where TK bends to R, ahead across grass to X-ST by gate. In 200yds, at FPS TR uphill (215°) towards gap thru wide hedgerow to stile. X-ST & ascend steeply across field (216°) to reach gate at top LH corner. TL & follow sunken tree lined TK up hill to metaled lane (Coxbury Lane on map) SO542076
2.10 BL on lane (135°) for 3/4 mile, passing Wyegate Cottage on R & ahead ignoring turning on L. Ahead following RBW sign. Pass cottages on R & ahead with Wyegate barn on R, continue down TK; ignore spur leading to field on L. Continue down ignoring TKs to R. Ahead down steep hill on rough TK (185°) ignoring ST on R & continue to descend to reach tarmac lane just before stone cottage on R. TL to X- ST, BR (140°) to descend to bottom RH corner of field aiming to R of metal barn. X-ST by
wall on R & cross gravel drive to road. SO554056
2.11 TR along road to reach bus stop in 20yds. Cross road with EXTREME CARE to enter lane opposite & in 10yds FL over footbridge & rejoin lane which later becomes a steep stony track. Continue ascending main TK later passing houses on L, to T-Jn with road. TL & ahead on road, ignoring any turnings to reach St Briavels. Pass church on L & at T-Jn TL then thru KG on LH side of entrance to St Briavels Castle.
Along castle moat, exit at first KG & TR up TK behind Pub. At RD TL for 75 yds, Assembly Rooms on R.
CP 2 ST BRIAVELS ASSEMBLY ROOMS SO560045 OPEN 13.15-16.30 17 MILES
ST BRIAVELS TO WHITESTONE 5.6 MILES WITH 1,145FT ASCENT
3.1 TL on leaving Assembly Rooms. East ST becomes High ST, follow RD to primary school &
immediately before joining main road TR over ST by wall (FPS). Follow farm TK & ahead to X-ST & across field (210°) to X-ST in far LH corner. TR down RBW, on reaching road TL. After 100yds TR down FP (FPS). On reaching road, TL & in 10 yds TR along FP (Firtree Cottage). SO554039
3.2 In 10 yds TR (FPS) down steps then over FB. At WM FL; in 5 yds FR (ignore path immediately going
down). Continue ahead on WM footpath contouring near top of hill thru woods for 530 yds. WARNING: do not continue on path through woods it is badly eroded. At WM sharp TL over stone stile doubling back slightly on FP with stone walls both sides. Continue between houses to RD and
TR at Littlecote. SO551038
3.3 At junction TR and at next junction BR signposted for Hudnalls Loop RD. At sharp RH bend BL, looks
SO, on enclosed TK (RBW) and at TJ (Gideon Chapel) TR to RD. TL ODP joins RD from R. SO541039
3.4 Continue ahead now on ODP past Birchfield House & tennis court on your L & ahead to house called
‘Sitting Green’; FL & along road passing house called ‘Sitting Pretty’ on right. TR at next road turning SP ‘ODP’ & ahead (ignore next SP on R) passing house with field gate your right (acorn WM). At TK junction, ignore WM direction & TR (leaving ODP) on TK downhill passing house called ‘Megs
Folly’. SO537037
3.5 Follow wide TK downhill thru woods, ignoring FPS to right. In 300yds FR & in 30yds TR (FPS) down
between stone walls & in 100yds TL at WM. Take care the following descent is steep, rocky & will be slippery if wet. Continue descending steeply thru woods. Over X-TK & ahead down very steep narrow path. Continue descending for 800 yards to KG. Cross grass to footpath on bank of River
Wye. SO 531029
3.6 TL along bank of river & follow ODP along bank to Brockweir Bridge. SO539011
3.7 TR over road bridge to main A466 road, TR & in 10yds cross road WITH CARE to FPS for WVW. In
75yds FL uphill (WVW) & continue over X-TK & up steps & ahead. Pass wooden power pole & in 80yds TR (WVW) up steps. Over X-TK ahead (300°) on FP gently climbing. Near top of hill at T-Jn TR on wide TK (WVW) & ahead for 300 yds then FR. TK later gradually descends & when main TK swings sharp L continue ahead on path past cottage to R down to barrier by road (Hazel Grove)
SO525021
3.8 At road TR & in 80yds pass entrance to Botany Bay scout camp & immediately FR (WVW) into
wood. Cross footbridge & ahead on FP, initially following line of fir trees (if wet there may be
streams across path) to go over X-TK & ahead to road. SO525026
3.9 TL (WVW) up road & in 50yds TR(WVW) into woods. At first path junction BR, ahead then FL to reach picnic area & WVW notice board. Go thru picnic area to the main Whitestone notice board. The clipper is attached to the main notice board.
CLIP POINT WHITESTONE PICNIC AREA DRINKS ONLY SO525029 22.6 MILES
14.30 – 18.30
WHITESTONE TO REDBROOK 5.4 MILES WITH 682 FT CLIMB.
4.1 Continue past R of notice board on path past yellow & red WM to join TK. TR & continue along TK
for /2 mile, passing 3 view point benches then swinging L to T-Jn. TR & continue ahead on TK. Ahead, between stone walls to reach metaled lane with Orchard Cottage on L. SO520039
4.2 Cross lane (BW sign Peny fan on R), then pass white cottage on your R (Sarah’s Place). Continue
along main TK thru woods for 690 yds FR then in 30 yds over X-TK. Continue ahead on WVW (45°)
for /2 mile to reach gate. SO528052
4.3 Thru gate & ahead between wire fences to go thru 2nd gate. Ahead on metaled lane passing Moor
cottage on left. Ahead to pass turning on left & continue for 280 yds to reach Electricity pole No. 110 on R by Dukes House, TR down path SP (Pen-y-fan Green & WVW) to TK; BL at WM (WVW) &
ahead to tarmac lane. SO533060
4.4 TR downhill on lane with open green & mounting stone on your L & ahead ignoring sign to Bigsweir
bridge. Continue down lane passing ‘The Green Pen-y-Fan’ and ahead for 1/4 mile to pass Hillside cottage on left & in 75 yards, just before reaching gate to ‘The Folly’, TR down steps FPS (WVW & Whitebrook Road) & where TK bears to left by wooden shed, TR downhill FPS (WVW & Whitebrook road) With Care – very slippery. At metaled road TR & ahead passing Whitebrook farm & as road bends to right, by white cottage, TL to follow Monmouth sign through barrier onto disused rail TK.
SO538067
4.5 Continue ahead for 1.6 miles to pass barrier and ahead for a further 670 yds to go thru gateway
with garage ahead, BL to go ahead on tarmac lane and in 15 yds FR up slope (“Boat” public house on your L) to cross bridge on footway. At T-Jn FR & follow footpath to go thru car park then gate into Millennium Green. BL to reach gate to main road. Cross road WITH CARE towards shop, TL & ascend lane & TR up side of village hall to side door & checkpoint.
CP3. REDBROOK VILLAGE HALL SO537 098 OPEN 16.00 - 20.30 28 MILES
THESE TIMES WILL BE ENFORCED; IF YOU ARRIVE EARLY YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE CP
OPENS.
REDBROOK TO ENGLISH BICKNOR 9.3 MILES WITH 2,358FT OF CLIMB.
5.1 Leave Hall & descend to railing then TR down to pavement; ahead for 180 yds and FR on ascending
TK (acorn WM). TR on joining road & ahead keeping close to RH verge. In 350 yds cross WITH CARE to go up metaled TK to L of stone cottage (acorn sign). Continue up TK ignoring TK forking R. TK
later becomes unmetalled (ODP). In one mile reach stone house on L. SO530115
5.2 Ahead on grassy path & 50 yds past house, thru gate on R (ODP). Bear 3200 across meadow to gate then cross another two gated meadows keeping above tree line. Thru gate and up enclosed path,
thru gate & along L edge of another meadow. Thru KG & up enclosed path. Thru further KG & ahead thru car park; ahead past WM to pass to R of Naval temple & join TK to pass tower on top of
hill. SO527124
(A detour round the other side of the tower will give a fine view of Monmouth below).
5.3 60 yds after tower at X-TK TR (leaving ODP for WW). After 40yds FL to go thru KG into field (SP
‘Staunton Road‘). Ahead (060°) to far corner of field, thru trees, down second field (050°) to KG
(WW) & into wood. TR on TK & down to pass barrier to main road. SO535127
5.4 Cross road WITH CARE. TL & after 10yds TR (WW) descend FP; in 45yds FR to descend to TR on
wide TK. After 300yds TR at T-Jn (WW) & after further 700yds TL at T-Jn (WW). SO543127
5.5 Ahead for 1 mile (ignore HMT path ascending on the R at end of wire fence & all other paths on the
R) to reach WW & HMT signs by 5 steps on R of track. SO541140
5.6 TR, up steps & ascend for 45yds reach a large rock (Suck Stone) off to R. TR to pass below this
stone. BL following HMT, (the local WMs in this section are yellow arrows with a green flash on the
tail - follow these) to zig-zag up to reach RH end of Near Harkening Rock & TL under overhang. SO542140
5.7 At far end of rock swing sharp R to ascend to swing above rock, following WM on trees. Near top
BL away from edge of rock on path thru wood & in a further 50yds join well defined path (080°). In 100yds TL on TK & immediately BR; ignore WW on R in 20yds & follow TK as it swings R (this TK is not shown on OS map). Continue ahead when TK joins with wire fence on L. In 50 yds TL down path by Lady Wood National Nature Reserve sign. SO547139
5.8 BR & follow fence downwards (WW & HMT). When fence turns sharp L by Lady Wood National
Nature Reserve sign FR (115°); descend following yellow arrows on trees. Cross path & continue
steeply down to join main TK. TL to descend TK to the river Wye. SO553143
5.9 TR (2 parallel TKs follow river but keep to the one furthest from river) & ahead for 1,400 yds. Soon
after TK starts ascending FR to ascend steeply. In 550 yds TL (WM) down steps. Ahead passing seat
& on to T-Jn, TR (sign Welsh Bicknor) & ascend to road. SO563161
5.10 TL on road WITH CARE (narrow road) past 3 houses on your R to TR on TK at Glos/FoD & thru wooden barrier. At WM cont on main path to R to ascend. At WM TR to descend. Cont to follow WM to bottom to disused railway track. SO564166
5.11 TR & ahead for 1400yds to pass thru KG. Immediately TR & follow TK that ascends thru trees (ignore drive to L), across wide meadow then back into trees. Thru gate & ahead to reach lane. TL (FPS) & X-ST (marked ’Heritage Trail’) to R of gate. TR & X-ST to follow the Trail up steep muddy bank, X-ST into wood, up steps & steep slope and thru KG into meadow. SO580162
5.12 Ahead (140°) for 40yds to power pole & tree, then BR (170°), to KG. Ahead (200°) aiming to R of church on mound to KG passing school on your L. Over ST & along drive & thru gate. BL over minor road & BR along pavement for 600yds. 30yds after passing telephone box TR & pass round the R side of building to enter checkpoint.
CP4 ENGLISH BICKNOR VILLAGE HALL SO579150 OPEN 17.45 - 01.30 37.3MILES
ENGLISH BICKNOR TO PARKEND 8.7 MILES WITH 925FT CLIMB
6.1 Return to road & TL; XRD to bus stop & at end of bus stop layby TR down enclosed path (FPS). X-ST
& descend field with hedge on L. When hedge turns L follow it round & on reaching wire fence TR & descend hill to L corner of field. (DO NOT SHORTCUT ACROSS FIELD.) TR (FPS), ahead (195°) & cont to corner of copse (can be boggy).
6.2 Follow line of copse to X-ST. Ahead (165°) to X-ST in hedge, then follow faint path (1600) thru rough
meadow to join TK. Follow TK thru copse, field, wood & clearing for /2mile. At X-TK ahead over ST by gate (WW) & after 240yds BR over filled in ditch & up field (175°) to ST by gate in hedge. SO588139
6.3 TL with hedge on L, thru gateway, then later X-ST. Ahead (095°) over X-TK, still with hedge on L to
ascend to X-ST. Continue with wire fence on L, then BL up field (080°) parallel with hedgerow on L to X-ST in L hand corner. (You have now exited the Wye Valley AONB)
6.4 TR on drive; after 120yds TL (10°) up path bordering wood on R. In 75yds, at X path TR (045°) (WW)
& ahead uphill thru wood. BL (020°) across grass & ahead to follow metaled TK to clearing, across clearing to enter FP by wooden power pole. Ahead (080°) on narrow path thru woods for 300yds to
road. TR for 25yds to A4136. SO598142
6.5 Cross road /2 R WITH CARE & thru gap by gate (WW). Ahead on path into wood; ignore all side
paths & follow WW for 540yds to cross “Verders Trail” & ahead to descend to TK. TL along TK & in 260yds (just around sharp RH bend) B 2nd R (WW) down lesser TK (190°). In 430 yds (ignore crossing cycle TK) at X-TK TL for 5yds then TR (95°).
6.6 In 100yds ignore banked X-CT to continue in same direction (95°) ignoring all side paths for 390 yds
to TR at main X-TK. Ahead & continue ahead where TK joins from L (175°). Continue on TK for 460 yds to where TK turns sharp hairpin L, TL down narrow path (WW). Continue down over X path and
ahead to road. SO611135
6.7 TR down road, in 75 yds TL across road & pass barrier up drive. In 170yds TR over low earth bank
(before parking lay-by) to path (180°). Ahead 420 yds to T-Jn TL along TK, in 60yds FR to reach CT
(sign WHITE GATES). SO615130
6.8 Over CT, thru gate to FL & in further 30 yds FL (90°). In 210 yds TR (110°) to ascend for /2 mile
passing purple signed Posts to reach gate near top. Continue ahead to reach hedge on your L & follow TK round to pass entrance to Kensley Lodge on your L. Ignore path with purple signed Post
on R & in 75 yds TR. Pass under hanging stained glass window (this is part of the Beechenhurst Sculpture Trail – turn round to view if light). SO626126
6.9 Continue ahead on TK (240°) passing purple signed Posts & next purple signed Posts BR to pass thru rear of car park (WM). Continue on main TK past Post & No Cycling Sign. Continue ahead on main TK (GW) for 1/4 mile reach Speech House sign; TL up grassy slope aiming towards obelisk (centre of forest) in front of the Speech House. SO620121
6.10 Cross road WITH CARE & TR in front of hotel then TL along verge of minor road for 680 yds past Royal Oaks and school on your R (please keep on verge). TR over ST BHT. Cont on main TK (BHT & joins GW) for 860 yds to 5 way J. BR to cont on BHT & GW initially 220°.
6.11 Cont for 670 yds (ignore XTK) and at TJ TL, still on GW. Cont for 650 yds to next XTK, WM TR on GW and cont to gate. Thru gate to CT at Cannop Wharf. TL on CT, signposted Parkend, cont to RD (1400 yds). XRD WITH CARE & cont on CT to pass Coleford Junction sign & to houses QUIET PLEASE.
6.12 Cont past houses to Timber Yard & swing L RD. XRD WITH CARE & SO into Crown Lane. TL thru gate to checkpoint. Please shut gate to keep out wild boar and sheep.
CP5 PARKEND CRICKET PAVILION SO614079 OPEN 19.30 - 05.30 46 MILES
PARKEND TO DEANWOOD 7 MILES WITH 1177FT ASCENT
7.1 Continue ahead to go past posts and reach road. Cross road WITH CARE to the Fountain pub; TL along pavement to road. Cross WITH CARE & TR along pavement & ahead for 80yds, TL on enclosed path (SP Station Entry, Parish Church Walk via foot bridge). Thru gate (don’t let it slam) up steps over foot bridge. At far side go ahead up path between houses (quiet please). Ahead up TK to join
tarmac drive to pass St Paul’s church on your L. SO619 076
7.2 Ahead past barrier & at XTK SO up path into woods 128° to top (Okenhill Nature Reservation sign on your L). TL on main TK to barrier, XRD. SO
to 2nd barrier 45° for 420 yds to just before houses (if you reach the houses you have gone too far, retrace for 100 yds). TL to 2nd XTK & TR to Rising Sun Pub on your R (warning - pond on your L). Cont ahead to pub CP (QUIET PLEASE) & SO on FP in wood 5°. Exit woods, open green FP (SLOT) to RD, Primitive Methodist Church on R.
picnic and parking. TR to RD. X WITH CARE & ahead on small path up bank to join main TK. TL & at
7.5 X RD with care and TR on tyre rutted FP. At fork FR (265° Deadman’s Cross) to emerge on RD.
field & TR hedge on your R. Continue into next 2 fields with hedge on your L & emerge on RD SO638065
7.6 TR & in 25 yds TL at mirror FPS & X ST. X field at 265° to reach Yorkley Wood Lane. TL & when RD