Walk the glorious Herefordshire countryside

11:25am Friday 18th April 2008

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Goodrich and Coppet Hill.

Village, riverside, woodland and ridge views.

6 miles: moderate.

Map: Explorer OL14 (Wye Valley and Forest of Dean).

Bus: No 34, Ross to Goodrich, Castle Lane, every 2 hours.

The Route Goodrich Castle car park. Return to village along the picnic site. Approach road and at junction, ignore first left to Courtfield and Welsh Bicknor, to take second left, and cross road to TR before school onto public footpath. Take gate at top of bank to pass church on right and leave via two top gates by “Coppertops” drive. TL down road to TR on path in front of Granton House into lane between Beechgrove and White Hall. At lane end take right stile to follow left edge, on permissive path, ignoring waymarked crosspaths to right and left to head straight through gap in hedge staying left down to fenced path and stile, bottom, left by house. Carefully cross busy B4229 to walk the lane signed Symonds Yat East towards Huntsham Bridge. 40 meters before bridge TL over stile along Poplar path and TR over end stile to river bank passing the white lodge and shed on right.

The river. One and two-thirds miles. Follow bank upstream with “Mainoaks” left and Huntsham Hill on the other bank and possibly some cormorants. Join broader path through gate by stile and another gate to rejoin grassy riverbank. Pass white cottage opposite and barn to left, now heading for Yat Rock. Look out for birds of prey!

In front of rocks. TL up field to find stile heading into wood. Climb through trees passing unmarked post to the right, keeping remains of wall also on right. Continue the long, but not too steep, slog to the top consoling yourself with the thought this way around is the easier - honestly! Emerging above the trees, see Garway Hill, Saddlebow Hill and Coles Tump at 10 o’clock. Where the wall becomes more intact, catch a first glimpse of The Queen Stone. It’s beyond Huntsham Bridge in a field between two trees and in front of buildings. Traverse the ridge, with the church at Goodrich coming back into view, keeping right on the upper fringe.

The Folly. Upon reaching the former residence of a rabbit warriner the more northerly views come into sight, including the castle and Leys Hill. Fork left down to the trig. Point with the excellent panorama now adding Kerne Bridge which dates from 1828, and Flanesford Priory TL at marker, then immediate right to descend several stepped sections to the sign welcoming you to Coppet Hill Common Local Nature Reserve.

“The Triangle”. Take the road downwards in front at the top of the (sort of) triangle and pass the post box in the wall on your left. Descend the road to the village passing “Archways” and “Doward View” to the original junction and TR to the start-point.

THE WALK: Goodrich and Coppet Hill.

Village, riverside, woodland and ridge views.

6 miles: moderate.

Map: Explorer OL14 (Wye Valley and Forest of Dean).

Bus: No 34, Ross to Goodrich, Castle Lane, every 2 hours.

The Route Goodrich Castle car park. Return to village along the picnic site. Approach road and at junction, ignore first left to Courtfield and Welsh Bicknor, to take second left, and cross road to TR before school onto public footpath. Take gate at top of bank to pass church on right and leave via two top gates by “Coppertops” drive. TL down road to TR on path in front of Granton House into lane between Beechgrove and White Hall. At lane end take right stile to follow left edge, on permissive path, ignoring waymarked crosspaths to right and left to head straight through gap in hedge staying left down to fenced path and stile, bottom, left by house. Carefully cross busy B4229 to walk the lane signed Symonds Yat East towards Huntsham Bridge. 40 meters before bridge TL over stile along Poplar path and TR over end stile to river bank passing the white lodge and shed on right.

The river. One and two-thirds miles. Follow bank upstream with “Mainoaks” left and Huntsham Hill on the other bank and possibly some cormorants. Join broader path through gate by stile and another gate to rejoin grassy riverbank. Pass white cottage opposite and barn to left, now heading for Yat Rock. Look out for birds of prey!

In front of rocks. TL up field to find stile heading into wood. Climb through trees passing unmarked post to the right, keeping remains of wall also on right. Continue the long, but not too steep, slog to the top consoling yourself with the thought this way around is the easier - honestly! Emerging above the trees, see Garway Hill, Saddlebow Hill and Coles Tump at 10 o’clock. Where the wall becomes more intact, catch a first glimpse of The Queen Stone. It’s beyond Huntsham Bridge in a field between two trees and in front of buildings. Traverse the ridge, with the church at Goodrich coming back into view, keeping right on the upper fringe.

The Folly. Upon reaching the former residence of a rabbit warriner the more northerly views come into sight, including the castle and Leys Hill. Fork left down to the trig. Point with the excellent panorama now adding Kerne Bridge which dates from 1828, and Flanesford Priory TL at marker, then immediate right to descend several stepped sections to the sign welcoming you to Coppet Hill Common Local Nature Reserve.

“The Triangle”. Take the road downwards in front at the top of the (sort of) triangle and pass the post box in the wall on your left. Descend the road to the village passing “Archways” and “Doward View” to the original junction and TR to the start-point.