Coleford Welcomes Walkers

Monthly Winter Walks 2025/26

The Coleford Welcomes Walkers Group is offering a series of monthly walks to encourage people to get out and walk during the winter months. No need to book, just turn up at the time and location indicated below.

Please ensure that you are wearing appropriate clothing and footwear for the winter conditions.

If the walk has to be cancelled due to bad weather or other circumstances, there will be a message on the Coleford Town website https://colefordtown.net/ or the Coleford Welcomes Walkers website https://colefordwelcomeswalkers.co.uk/

Please note that the routes will have been checked for problems prior to the walk, but by agreeing to take part you accept responsibility for your own health and safety.

 

Sunday 30th November 2025

A Beaver Enclosure, The Pludds and Ruardean Woodside.

After the excitement of the Coleford Christmas Lights switch on [Saturday 29th], enjoy a winter stroll along forest tracks and quiet lanes around The Pludds and Ruardean Woodside. The walk will start by the Beaver Enclosure where evidence of how their presence is altering the stream flow should be obvious.

The route is undulating with the main ascent being close to the start of the walk. Please bring drinks and a snack.

Start Time: 10.00 am

Estimated Finish Time: 12.30 pm

Distance: 6.5km/3.6 miles Ascent: 221 metres

Difficulty: Moderate

Meeting Point: Parking area at Piano Corner on the Brierley to The Pludds road. Grid Reference: SO6214 1538. What3words: lotteries.result.classed.

 

Sunday 28th December 2025

New Fancy and Staple Edge

Take the opportunity to stretch your legs between Christmas and the New Year. This walk follows the course of old railways and tramways to the valley of the Blackpool Brook before climbing to Staple Edge and then returning via Mallards Pike. There is one fairly steep ascent just before the mid-point of the walk. Please bring drinks and a snack.

Start Time: 10.00 am

Estimated Finish Time: 1.00 pm

Distance: 8,0km/5 miles Ascent: 183 metres

Difficulty: Moderate

Meeting Point: Parking area at New Fancy Viewpoint. Grid Reference: SO6279 0955. What3words: streak.slippery.recently

 

Sunday 25th January 2026

Coleford, Newland and Clearwell.

This walk follows the burial path from Coleford to Newland and then uses the local footpath network to reach Clearwell. From here a quiet lane is followed before returning to Coleford via the solar farm and Suntory. This is an undulating route with three significant ascents. Please bring drinks and a snack.

Start Time: 10.00 am

Estimated Finish Time: 1.30 pm

Distance: 9.6 km/6 miles Ascent: 266 metres

Difficulty: Moderate

Meeting Point: Coleford Clock Tower. Grid Reference: SO5751 1072. What3words: pupils.proved.crimson.

 

Saturday 28th February 2026

Soudley Ponds and Ruspidge

This walk passes through Upper Soudley before following paths uphill, passing Soudley Ponds. The route returns using forest tracks and passes close to the edge of Ruspidge. The first 3 kms are mainly uphill after which the route is mainly level or downhill. Please bring drinks and a snack.

Start Time: 10.00 am

Estimated Finish Time: 12.30 pm

Distance: 6.5 km/4 miles Ascent: 173 metres

Difficulty: Moderate

Meeting Point: Car Park at Soudley Village Hall. Grid Reference: SO6581 1033. What3words: cricket.depravity.mole.