The most straightforward route to and from Symonds Yat, featuring an old mine, a significant riverside stretch and of course the classic viewpoint of Symonds Yat. Look out for Peregrine Falcons and Goshawks overhead.
Calculated time: 3h15[?] 
Distance : 9.26km
Vertical gain : 203m
Vertical drop : 207m
Highest point : 221m
Lowest point : 35m 
Difficulty : Moderate
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : West Dean (Gloucestershire)
Starting point : N 51.81352° / W 2.627116° (D/A) From the Forest Retreat, turn left downhill and follow Broom Hill road for 1⁄2 mile to the Bracelands entrance, on your right.
(1) Follow the track heading straight on beyond the entrance, passing a wooden barrier. By a gate from the campsite, turn left, with a grey waymark and a sign to “River”.
(2) At the bottom of the valley, turn right, still following the grey waymarks along the stream. After 1⁄4 mile, look out for a disused mine level on your right. Continue down the valley; after 3⁄4 mile you cross the Wysis Way and shortly afterwards pass the Oldstone Well spring on your right.
(3) On reaching the River Wye, turn right and follow the riverside path for 1 mile to Symonds Yat East.
(4) Beyond the Royal Lodge Hotel, take the walled footpath on the right signposted to Yat Rock.
After 200 yards, turn right up steps through the trees and past a bench. The path continues uphill with intermittent steps; at the next junction by a wooden fence, turn right (again signposted “Yat Rock”). On meeting a broad path below a barrier, take a few steps left then take the path opposite, still climbing with intermittent steps.
(5) Just before the road, turn right up some stone steps and past a small, low cave on your left. A further flight of stone steps leads up to the picnic area by the Symonds Yat Café.
(6) Cross to the footbridge and bear left along the boardwalk to visit the Yat Rock viewpoint. Returning to the café, bear left through the staff car park to the road. Follow a footpath on the right that passes behind a white- painted house.
(7) Cross the entrance road for the main Symonds Yat car park and continue along the path ahead (with yellow “Christchurch to Symonds Yat walk” waymarks, which you will follow from now on).
(8) After 600 yards cross the exit road from the car park, still following the yellow-waymarked path. Ignore a track on the right and climb to pass to the left of Mailscot Lodge. The path continues beyond the drive, shortly crossing another forest road (within sight of the road on your left).
(9) Cross another forest road, still following the mostly level path with the woodland sloping down to your right. Eventually you pass the assault course on your right and emerge past a barrier onto a road. Turn left to return to the Forest Retreat. (D/A)
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 221m - The Forest Retreat
1 : km 0.88 - alt. 179m - Campsite
2 : km 1.26 - alt. 152m - Valley
3 : km 3.36 - alt. 39m - River Wye
4 : km 4.76 - alt. 40m - Royal Lodge Hotel
5 : km 5.4 - alt. 127m - Stone steps - Low cave
6 : km 5.52 - alt. 143m - Footbridge - Yat Rock viewpoint
7 : km 6.1 - alt. 153m - Symonds Yat car park entrance
8 : km 6.69 - alt. 155m - Mailscot Lodge
9 : km 7.69 - alt. 187m - Assault course
D/A : km 9.26 - alt. 221m - The Forest Retreat
A straightforward descent to the Wye on the grey-waymarked “Bracelands to the Wye” path and a level riverside path to Symonds Yat East, followed by the sharp climb to Yat Rock. From there the return is fairly level. Woodland paths may be muddy.
Car Park : Nearby the Forest Retreat
Pdf file : http://walksfromthedoor.co.uk/i/walks/Gl...
The Royal Lodge
www.rhhotels.co.uk
Tel 01600 890 238
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
18.46km
+353m
-354m
6h15
Difficult
Starting point in West Dean (Gloucestershire) - Gloucestershire Featuring the impressive Suck Stone and Near Hearkening Rocks, two medieval churches, a lengthy section along the Wye, the Yat Rock viewpoint and a quiet stream valley, this walk offers an in-depth introduction to the landscapes of the Forest of Dean.
12.89km
+342m
-349m
4h40
Moderate
Starting point in West Dean (Gloucestershire) - Gloucestershire The outward route is the quickest and easiest route to Symonds Yat. The return is more adventurous, seeking out the impressive King Arthur’s Cave and secret viewpoints over the Wye Gorge.
4.33km
+86m
-85m
1h30
Moderate
Starting point in Coleford (Gloucestershire) - Gloucestershire Starting at Mile End in the Forest of Dean visit the magical old quarries that have been reclaimed by nature. If you mooch about here you may find an old WW2 firing range used by the home guard. Continue down the valley where you may see old mines, then turn sharp right by a high old stone wall. The narrow path takes you back up to Perch Enclosure with magnificent pine trees. Take the loop around, past the old campsite and back onto the track where you started.
12.42km
+391m
-383m
4h40
Moderate
Starting point in English Bicknor - Gloucestershire Follow in the footsteps of the Wye Tourists down to the Wye. Cross the river at the Biblins visiting Little Doward Hillfort, King Arthur’s Cave and New Weir Forge. Return on the hand ferry at Symonds Yat West.
2.6km
+115m
-114m
1h05
Easy
Starting point in English Bicknor - Gloucestershire A steep descent and ascent from the car park at Yat Rock to the River Wye at Symonds Yat East.
1.9km
+115m
-118m
0h50
Moderate
Starting point in Whitchurch - Herefordshire A short but energetic climb to a stunning viewpoint over the Wye Valley.
16.88km
+88m
-103m
5h05
Easy
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6.52km
+134m
-128m
2h15
Moderate
Starting point in Whitchurch - Herefordshire A walk through the woods to a local landmark, returning along the Wye Riverbank.
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