Somewhere completely different today – Forest of Dean. Pleased to see that not only Anna but also her husband Andy will be joining this small group today, with Steve leading. After a detour to ensure some horses have unfrozen water for their day we got to our destination lay-by in time to start walking at about 10.50.
We quickly head into the forest and there are clear trails, initially we can hear industry. There is still some quarrying in the area and stone cutting. Not too muddy as there are quite stony paths. We take a bearing off the main path to see the top of a mine shaft. This proves difficult terrain to cross as there has been quite a lot of tree felling and then gathering of debris into piles. Back on track and we have a short coffee stop.
These woods are used extensively for mountain biking and small tracks cross cross our paths.
We start to come across signs which give an idea of difficulty and numbered routes which one must assume are mapped.
There are quite a few bikers and as we reach the top of this forest area so do several of them. A large board indicates various grades of ride and also gives a what3words location as well as a phone number for A&E!
A pleasant clearing for a lunch stop as we start to descend. No rain today but not any sun either. Anna asks about how high we are and I expand the map on my phone and suggest between 205 and 210 metres only to look down at the screen where I’m recording our route to see it says 209 m – how had I not noticed that before!
We come down towards Cannop and the Biking Centre- this includes cafe, shop, toilets etc. Clearly a well supported enterprise – we had already seen that the mountain bike tracks are created and maintained by various groups. We cross the road and see signs for family cycling.
We’re on a section where the path is quite wide and much less undulating, posts bordering it makes us wonder if it is an old railway track . Crossing another B road and we see a preserved sign for Speech House Station.
Our track leads towards Canop Ponds, we are able to take a few diversions which entail a bit more scrambling and muddy banks-compulsory it would seem! We come out next to the ponds and are treated to some great sights where mist has lingered and ice has formed. We are actually almost back having walked an elongated circular walk.
Not that far today but some rewards at the end.A pleasant enough walk but could definitely have gone further!
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 