Books and Leaflets

Forest of Dean Ramblers publishes a book of walks which is available to download or view from this page, either as the complete book or as individual chapters. A limited number of hard copies of the book are also avaiable from selected local outlets, while stocks last.

We also publish a number of walks leaflets, all of which are available as a free download from this website. (Click on an image on this page to see the associated Start Point Map).
Click for Walk Start Points Map

  • Exploring Historic Dean

Our publication Exploring Historic Dean has to be your handbook to explore this great area. Tucked between the Rivers Severn and Wye, the Forest of Dean is undoubtedly one of Britain’s most beautiful areas and includes some of the most attractive woodland in the country, as well as providing superb views over the Welsh Hills, Malverns, and Cotswolds. Such a landscape offers almost unlimited opportunities for walking, but, it may come as a surprise to learn that the area was once a busy industrial centre, with mines, quarries, ironworks, and others. This publication will guide you on some of the best walking in the area and will give you an insight into its’ fascinating history going back several thousand years.

Printed copies of Exploring Historic Dean are no longer available but it is still available as a download from this page. The introduction, which includes a list of the walks in the book, and a location map with the start points, is available as a here. The remaining chapters, detailing the walks in the book along with descriptions of the route and points of interest along it, are available individually. In addition, GPX files of the route of each walk are available.

  • Walk Leaflets    
The following walks leaflets are available for Download only from this website:

Click for Walk Start Points Map
The Beechenhurst Trail is an 8 mile circular walk in the east of the Forest of Dean through some of the oldest and most varied woodland. A moderate walk starting from the Parking Area at Beechenhurst Lodge (Pay and Display).
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The Highmeadow Trail is an 11 mile circular walk in the west of the Forest of Dean with stunning views, a ferry crossing and a footbridge over the River Wye. This is a demanding but rewarding walk with steep assents and descents, starting at Symonds Yat Rock car park. Included in the details are two variants of the route: a 13 mile route that does not use the ferry, and a 9 mile route that does not cross the river.
Note: The GPX file for this walk includes all 3 routes.
View Download GPX
The Soudley Circles Walks are three circular walks of approximately 3 miles each in the vicinity of Upper Soudley.
View Download  GPX
All three routes include uphill sections and are not wheelchair friendly.

Publication downloads are in PDF format.

  • Downloads
Exploring Historic Dean-Introduction View
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Exploring Historic Dean-Walk 1
Little Doward, Symonds Yat, & the Wye Gorge (5 miles/8 km)
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GPX
Exploring Historic Dean-Walk 2
Norchard, Oldcroft, & Pillowell (5½ miles/9 km)
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GPX
Exploring Historic Dean-Walk 3
Soudley, Staple Edge, & Bradley Hill (5½ miles/9 km)
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GPX
Exploring Historic Dean-Walk 4
Gatcombe, Purton, & Blakeney (6 miles/9½ km)
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GPX
Exploring Historic Dean-Walk 5
Beechenhurst, Trafalgar, & Speech House (6½ miles/10½ km)
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GPX
Exploring Historic Dean-Walk 6
St Briavels, Mork, & Hudnalls Wood (6½ miles/10½ km)
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GPX
Exploring Historic Dean-Walk 7
Cannop, Nagshead, & Parkend (6½ miles/10½ km)
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GPX
Exploring Historic Dean-Walk 8
Lydbrook, Joy’s Green, & Ruardean (6½ miles/10½ km)
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GPX
Exploring Historic Dean-Walk 9
Clearwell, Whitecliff, & Newland (7 miles/11 km)
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GPX
Exploring Historic Dean-Walk 10
Plump Hill, Flaxley, & Abenhall (7½ or 5 miles/12 or 8 km)
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Exploring Historic Dean-Walk 11
Hope Mansell, Lea Bailey, & Wigpool (7½ or 5 miles/12 or 8 km)
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Exploring Historic Dean-Walk 12
Newnham, Bullo Pill, & Blaize Bailey (8 miles/13 km)
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GPX
Exploring Historic Dean-Walk 13
Redbrook, The Kymin, & Staunton Stones (8 or 7 miles/13 or 11 km)
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Exploring Historic Dean-Walk 14
Tidenham Chase, Hewelsfield & Offa’s Dyke (10 or 8 miles/16 or 13 km)
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GPX
The Beechenhurst Trail (8 miles/13 km) View
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GPX
The Highmeadow Trail (11 miles/18 km) View
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GPX
The Soudley Circles Walks (3 x 3 miles/5 km) View
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GPX