Forest of Dean Cycle Route

This 16-mile leisure route in the Forest of Dean, arguably one of Britain's prettiest areas, is the longest of seven waymarked routes of varying distances. The route is particularly interesting because it uses forest tracks and much of a disused railway line, where old station platforms can still be found.The route passes close by the River Wye, should you choose to detour and explore this beautiful valley.Alternatively, if you don't fancy 16 miles, take another waymarked shortcut to get you back to your starting point.

From the cycle centre, follow the path to the right of the centre downhill and then briefly uphill. At this point you can choose your path. For the 16-mile route stick to the left and head up towards Lydbrook.Some way down this track you can take a left away from the route and onto the B4234 into the centre of Lydbrook and out the other side to bring you down into the River Wye Valley. You'll get some lovely views of the river from here and if you were to stay on this B road, past the hotel, you would be hugging the Wye for about 2.5 miles as far as Leyes Hill, not far from Goodrich Castle.Staying on the Extended Leisure Ride, follow the route until you reach Drybrook Road Station. Veer left and continue until you reach another junction where you should turn left. Following this route will bring you onto the disused railway line until you reach B4226, which you need to turn right onto only for about 50 metres, before turning off left again and back into the forest.Go up the slope keeping left and simply enjoy this winding forest route. Watch for the M markers to find your way. After your climb you will start to descend all the way down to the main road by the entrance to Mallards Pike Lakes.At the main road, take the time to turn right through the entrance to the Lakes, requiring only a short ride before you see a beautiful area surrounding the Lakes, with refreshments and picnic areas. Well worth a visit.Back on the route, turn right onto the main road and right again at the main road junction. This brings you alongside Cannop ponds (which is also a good place to stop for ice-creams!). The track heads back into the forest and down quite a long downhill incline, with a sharper gradient towards the end (with traffic calming barriers to ensure you don't speed out of control). Once at the bottom follow the well-marked path all the way back to the cycle centre.

Getting there

Parking: There is parking at the centre, cost is £2 for the whole day or part thereof.

Public transport: The Pedalaway Cycle Centre is off the B4234 between Lower Lydbrook and Lydney, just to the east of Coleford. There is also parking at all the local villages along the way, should you prefer to start somewhere else?