Dog Walks in the Forest of Dean
Anyone that's looking for a short, manageable stroll with their dog can expect just that from these following circular walks. None of them will take any great deal of effort to complete or a GPS to find your way back the beginning. You can instead enjoy a relaxing trip with your canine companion as you both travel along at a reasonable pace, with some breathtaking sights along the way.
Brockweir
In the village of Brockweir is a walk that is in the shape of a figure eight. This walk takes you on a journey along the riverbank of the Wye River, old railways and minor roads along a mostly flat trail along the Wye Valley. Walking along this path with take you part ways through Wales and Gloucestershire.
START: Proceed a mile north of Tintern on A466 at the Old Station Tintern. Here you will find parking (with a fee), and a visitors centre along with a cafe and restrooms. The centre is open to the public from April to October.
Whitestone
The majority of this woodland walk is level ground except for the beginning where you'll need to make a small uphill ascent. Whitestone's walk has gorgeous views of the Wye Valley. For those familiar with the works of William Wordsworth, the falls at Cleddon is where the sounding cataract from the Tintern Abbey poem may be located.
START: Begin at A466 in Tintern and travel along the minor Catbrook road by the Wye Valley Hotel where after one and a half miles you'll come to a T-junction. On the exact opposite of the T-junction, there will be a car park where you can park next to the pond.
The Devil's Pulpit
This circular walk which offers a unique view of Tintern Abbey; you will be taken along the River Wye to enjoy the picturesque views and spot local wildlife before ascending gently to the ancient limestone where legend has it that the Devil perched upon this spot and tempted the monks below.
START: From the car park opposite Tintern Abbey, walk north up minor road towards River Wye. Pass The Anchor pub (left), turn left at footpath by mini-roundabout. Follow along riverbank.
The Old Station
There are two options for this walk; a shorter circular walk or a longer walk which passes through the charming village of Brockweir, where you can find authentic pubs for a bite. Part of this walk takes you along the old railway tracks and the River Wye.
START: The Old Station is located on the main Chepstow to Monmouth road (A466), nearly a mile north of Tintern. You can leave your vehicle at the Station car park and start the walk on the tarmac platform area in front of the station building.
Trellech Beacon
This walk is quite possibly the best suited for anyone wishing to see spectacular views of the Wye Valley and the surrounding areas which include the Forest of Dean, Malverns and Cotswolds.
START: Arrive at the B4293 in Trellech then travel down the "Llandogo, Catbrook, Tintern" road. Once on the road, take the first left turn, and after a half mile, you'll take another left. The Beacon View Forestry Commission car park will be a half mile down on the right.
Craig-Y-Dorth
Some of the greatest views you'll see in Monmouthshire are along this particular walk due to its year-round beauty. That said, the region is exceedingly beautiful during the spring because of the abundance of wildflowers.
START: About three miles from Monmouth on B4293 on the way to Trellech and make a right on the crossroads that’ll say Craig-y-dorth one and a half miles. A little past the Caerlian Field Study and Conference Centre you’ll find roadside parking.
Lydney Docks
The Lydney Docks walk is mostly flat ground, but it's best to be careful due to the lack of fencing by the pier and harbour edges. Here you can see Nass House which was built for a US serviceman named William Jones back in the 17 century.
START: From A48 and you'll see signs guiding you towards Lydney Industrial Estate. Keep going straight on the private road, and you will come to a car park at the very end of it.
Bream Village Walk
Here you'll be able to walk around Bream Village where many famous cricket players such as W.G. Grace have played. The walk also affords a lovely view of the Forest of Dean.
START: From the B4231 you'll drive into Bream until you reach Bream village itself. Once there you travel over the hill and park by the centograph.
Dark Hill
This is an easy, relatively short walk around the Dark Hill ironworks. For a more lengthy walk, you can follow the cycle track from Parkend which be 2 miles or Colford which is one and a half.
START: After taking the road from Parkend to Coleford, you will proceed for one and a half miles before turning uphill at the Ellwood signpost. 400 yards to your right will be the car park.