Cotswold Little Explorers

4 k / 2.5 miles

HIGHLIGHTS: Explore the Rodborough Common Woodlands on the lower slopes of the escarpment in this lovely circular walk.

PARKING: Free parking at a National Trust Lay by on Bear Hill, nearest postcode GL5 5DE. (Exact location is OS grid ref SO847026)

ACCESIBILITY: The trail follows uneven woodland tracks and then opens on to a grassy hillside. There are steps and uneven ground making this walk unsuitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs.

EAT/ DRINK: Bring your own snacks and drinks. Nearby you can try Winstones Ice Cream (Rodborough Common, GL5 5BX) or the Bear of Rodborough Pub, (Rodborough Common, GL5 5DE)

DOGS: Yes, on leads around Livestock.

FACILITIES: No public facilities. Nearest public toilets are in Stroud.

STEP BY STEP:

From the parking layby, walk along the road, heading towards the gateway with white gates (across the road). Do not go through the gate way but instead turn left just before it, and follow the wall keeping it on your right-hand side.

Go through the wooden gate to enter the woods, follow the trail through the woodland. The past curves to the right, continue to follow past some building keeping your eyes out for a path that branches out to the left. follow this path until you come to a junction. follow the trail down hill bearing right. Continue a short distance before the path intersects a lower path. Turn left down the lower path.

When you come out on to the road, turn left and follow the road uphill. Keep along the road until you come to a T – junction. Turn left and continue on the road to the village of St Chloe. Turn left, continuing along the road up the hill. After a little way, the road forks. Bear left along the fork and keep on the road.

When you pop out onto Bear Hill, just below the Bear of Rodborough Hotel, cross the road and pick up the grassy track that bears off to the left. Follow the track as it sweeps along the edge of the plateau. The track will eventually open out. Bear left across the open grassy area and join a small path leading down the slope towards the woodland (in which you will find the lay-by where you started the walk).

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