Walking in a Winter Wonderland

The well laid paths of the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley make walking in winter easy and getting outside into nature for a walk is just as important in winter as any other time of year. 

Every season has its own unique beauty and charm of course. The onset of winter sees the landscape change and adapt to the conditions, the ferns turn a bright red, the larches are golden, the last of the autumn leaves often remain on the trees until mid-winter, the moss is rich and the evergreen trees remain their deep dark green contrasting beautifully with the colours of the other trees around them. Winter walks are rewarding and exhilirating and all the more satisfying when there is a pub or cafe at the end for a hot chocolate or local beer! 

We've got short walks and long hikes, circular strolls and epic trails. The whole area is a dog walker's dream and there are a huge range of landscapes suitable for all ages and abilities from forest paths to lakes, rivers, arboretums and nature reserves, to walks around castles, up hills to incredible viewpoints and around towns and villages. If you or someone you know has limited mobility there are even off road trampers available for hire. Don't settle for a season stuck indoors, get your walking boots on and step outside into our winter wonderland.

 
Why Walking in Winter is So Rewarding

There are many physical and mental health benefits to getting outside no matter the season. A walk in nature is great for the soul as well as the body. Refreshing and exhilarating, heart pumping and mind clearing, the physical exercise is good for your heart and the fresh air and natural surroundings are good for your mind.

The shorter days make sunrise and sunset photography easier, but the low sun can also create some spectacular scenes. When the sun shines in winter and the sky is blue there is no better feeling than being outside enveloped in that glorious winter sun. The colours of the landscape are vivid and the forests are rich with life, there's plenty to see and do all year and warming cafes and pubs to reach at the end of a day of exploring.

It's also quiter at this time of year. So if you enjoy your peace and quiet you can get out into our ancient forest and dramatic river valley with fewer people and more space to yourself.

Don't let the chill stop you from venturing out, as we always say there's no such thing as bad weather only bad clothing!

Winter Walking Ideas

The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail is a perfect winter walk, the 4.5 mile long circular trail offering beautiful forest views and a wide range of unusual sculptures to inspire and surprise. Begin at Beechenhurst where the cafe provides hot and cold meals or pop across the road to the Speech House for a meal or a car-free stay.

Our 12 Easy Walks provide an introduction to walking in the Dean Wye. All are circular and are mainly on clearly defined, wellworn paths, tracks and lanes which are easy to locate and traverse so ideal for winter walking. Many are wheelchair and buggy friendly and little feet can still enjoy exploring our magical landscapes, jumping in puddles and seeing the resident ducks, geese and swans out on the lakes and ponds. 

Explore our top viewpoints which are windows to the Dean Wye and offer expansive views, often more so during the winter when the views open up with the leafless trees creating a wide expanse below far into the distance. There's the Eagle's Nest, Symonds Yat Rock, the Devil's Pulpit and many many more all offering footpaths to rewarding sights at the top.

One of the viewpoints is at Whitestone along the Wye Valley Walk and it provides some of the most dramatic views over the valley below as well as being a short walk to Cleddon Falls. High above the Wye Valley the waterfall is usually at its fullest in winter, with the gushing force creating a dramatic view as the water travels down the steep hills, the noise being heard from far in the distance.

Riverside walks may be a tad muddy but get the walking boots on and you'll soon lose yourself in the rewarding scenes and stunning vistas. From Symonds Yat to Tintern and Redbrook to Ross-on-Wye this gorgeous area offers walkers huge variety including towns and villages, hills and cliffs, lakes and quarries, caves and valleys...

See here for all the information you need to go walking in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley and may your walks be merry and bright!

Winter Wildlife Watching

Winter is a lovely time of year for birdwatching and wildlife spotting. With reduced foliage the birds are out in the open more and they also come out onto the bird tables to feed which local wildlife rangers often fill up with seed.

Here in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley we have a huge range of birds which can easily be seen, and some which are more elusive. Cannop Ponds, Nagshead RSPB Reserve, New Fancy View and other spots are ideal places to enjoy seeing the local birdlife. Birds seen here include our friendly robins, long tailed tits, blue tits, marsh tits, coal tits, goldfinches and chaffinches and in the water - cormorants, swans, geese and mandarin ducks.

If you're interested in birdwatching you don't have to go far into the Forest to start and birdwatching can yield great results even for the novice.

There are plenty of reasons to get outside here in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley at any time of year, whether for a short walk, a bike ride, a hike or an adventure. Wrap up warm and get out there, make the most of our beautiful countryside and you'll feel so much better for doing so!