Forest of Dean Family Cycle Trail
A fine Family Cycle ride around the beautiful Forest of Dean - submitted by David Curtis.
This circular route takes you along National Cycle route 42 and the Wye Valley path through the delightful Forest of Dean. The easy route takes place on off road paths making it ideal for families.
This route is also suitable for walkers.
The trail passes close to the fascinating Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail. The trail takes you to a unique collection of high-quality, contemporary sculptures in a beautiful setting. You'll also pass the RSPB's wildlife rich Nagshead Nature Reserve and the delightful Cannop Ponds which is a lovely place to stop for a picnic.
You could also try the Coleford Milkwall and Parkend railway path. The trail follows the disused Coleford Milkwall and Parkend railway from Coleford to Parkend. It is suitable for both cyclists and walkers.
Forest of Dean Family Cycle Trail Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Forest of Dean Family Cycle Trail Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Forest of Dean Family Cycle Trail OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Forest of Dean Family Cycle Trail Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
On the route you'll pass close to the Speech House Walk, near the sculpture trail. The circular trail takes you around the Speech House Inclosure, visiting the picturesque Speech House Lake, Woorgreens Lake Nature Reserve, the lovely Cyril Hart Arboretum and Spruce Ride where you'll find a nice wide track suitable for cycling. Near here you can also visit the Speech House Hotel and enjoy afternoon tea in the 17th century former hunting lodge.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Family Cycle Trail, Forest of Dean. Passing through White Gates. The Forest of Dean is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, supported by its ancient woodlands, heathlands, and river valleys. Oak, beech, birch, and sweet chestnut dominate the canopy, with hazel, holly, and rowan growing in the understory. In spring, the forest floor is covered with bluebells, wood anemones, and wild garlic, while autumn brings a variety of fungi, including fly agaric and chanterelles.
White Gates Junction on Family Cycle Trail. The forest is well known for its wild boar, which were reintroduced in the early 2000s and are often seen foraging in the undergrowth. Roe and fallow deer are also common, moving through the woods in small groups. Red foxes, badgers, and pine martens inhabit the dense woodland, while otters can sometimes be spotted along the rivers and streams.
Cycle Trail, Forest of Dean, Long Straight Descent. This is a long gradual descent on the Family Cycle Trail, on which you can get quite good speeds on a bike.
Birdlife is abundant, with goshawks, buzzards, and tawny owls hunting in the trees, and peregrine falcons nesting on cliff edges. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, and treecreepers are frequently seen among the branches, while the forest edges and clearings provide habitat for redstarts, pied flycatchers, and warblers in the warmer months.
Cannop Ponds. Butterflies such as the pearl-bordered fritillary and silver-washed fritillary thrive in the sunny glades, along with dragonflies and damselflies near ponds and rivers. The Forest of Dean’s waterways also support amphibians like newts, frogs, and toads, while adders and grass snakes bask in open areas during warmer weather. The varied habitats make it a stronghold for many species, with ancient trees, open grasslands, and wetland areas creating a rich and dynamic environment throughout the year.
Welcome to New Fancy. This viewpoint is located at the south eastern corner of the ride. Set on the site of the old coal mine the viewpoint is a fine place to watch birds of prey soaring through the skies above. There's also the 'Roll of Honour' sculpture and the Geomap - a map you can walk on showing the underlying geology of the forest. A car park and picnic area add to the attraction.
Cycle trail near Speech House
The trackbed of a dismantled railway east of Cannop Crossroads in the heart of the forest.
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Drybrook Road Station. There were once three lines here according to 19th century maps. The other two being mineral lines serving collieries.
Elevation Profile
