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Family Cycle Trail
(Average user rating: 5 unrated 4.2/5)

Grade of Trail:

  • Easy

Length of trail:

11 miles

Trail is currently open

 

Family on a waymarked cycle trail. Forest of Dean.

A waymarked circular route mainly on former railway lines with connecting routes to villages and picnic sites. This route has been especially surfaced and is suitable for all ages and abilities.

A surfaced, circular route, suitable for all ages and abilities. The trail is best ridden in a clockwise direction, with link routes connecting to nearby villages and picnic sites. The trail takes you along the old Severn and Wye railway line, passing former stations at Drybrook Road, Cannop Wharf and Speech House. Remnants of former coal mines can be seen at Foxes Bridge, Lightmoor and New fancy.

If you want to develop your skills or try something a bit more technical, try the skills area at the start of the trail, or look out for six fun features as you journey around the forest.

Look for the waymarker posts with a yellow tyre track icon. (Pay close attention at Whitegates and the link to Mallards Pike Lake, where the main trail does not continue straight on). Connecting routes to villages and picnic sites are marked in pink. A route card is available from Pedalabikeaway or Beechenhurst Lodge. No horseriding on the trail please.

What do other visitors say?

5 Stars 5 Stars

This must be one of the most beautiful cycle trails around. My wife and I have done it both clockwise and anti clockwise several times. It is demanding enough to satisfy the average cyclist and has a long downhill stretch to finish. Although we know the area well, we bought a route card at the cycle center. The route was easy to follow and the signs plentiful. There are not many off road cycle trails that pass through such magnificent surroundings. If the weather permits take a few sandwiches and make the short detour to Mallards Pike.

Kirk Churchley, 12/Oct/2012

We followed the tyre marks on the posts as we also guessed this may indicate the trail, unfortunately ended up in Coleford which was also the end of the cycle path!. We just retraced the route back to where we started and ended up with a 16 odd mile trip which the kids did enjoy but I would agree that signage is useless. It seemed a lot clearer 20 years ago when I last rode it!...back in the days of free car parking!!

simon, 3/Sep/2012
3 Stars 3 Stars

I'm a regular trail cyclist and thought this would be a great trail for my young boys to try out. To echo the comments above- signage is TERRIBLE on the family trail. There's a sign as you get over the bridge to show which way the Family trail is and after that, nothing? It appears that the yellow tyre tracks on the side of some signposts are the ones to follow- this is really not clear. Might I suggest an "arrow" withe the words 'Family Trail' on it that point the way you should go? Sorry if this seems revolutionary.

KH, 22/Jul/2012
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Chalara ash dieback

Advice for visitors

Location

OS Grid ref: SO607125

Get directions

Contact

West England District
-
01594 833057
westengland@­forestry.gsi.gov.uk
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