I parked in Dursley and caught the No 61 bus to Stonehouse. The bus actually stops on the Cotwold Way at Ryeford and it just a short walk to the Stroudwater Canal. At this point there are two routes on the Cotswld Way - one follows the canal going via Selsley. I took the other more direct route through King Stanley. The route then folows the Cotswold Way through Middleyard, Pen Hill and mainly through woodland on the edge of the escarpment to Coaley Peak. On through Coaley Wood past Hodgecombe Farm and then steeply up and on to Cam Long Down. I did a very short excursion to Cam Peak and then re-joined the Cotswold Way through open countryside to return to Dursley.
Much of the walk is in woodland and at this time of the year there is not much of a view but there are some gaps and the views are stunning.
There were some heavy showers around, fortunately they all missed me but did add some drama to the skies.
9 miles and 1600 feet ascent
The Stroudwater canal at the start.
The path near Kings Stanley
Woodland paths for much of the route.
Just aboe Blackbird Cottage with view across to Severn Vale where there was some rain.
Looking north west with the distinctive May Hill in the distance.
The entrance to the Long Barrow at Coaley Peak
Stunning views across the River Severn estuary with the Forest of Dean behind and just visible behind that are Sugar Loaf and Pen-y-Fan in the Brecon Beacons.
Across to Cam Long Down
The steep route up to Cam Long Down
Looking back to Coaley Peak
Cam Peak in the middle with Dursley behind.
To the north over Stonehouse a heavy shower is going past.....
Downham Hill
On Cam Peak looking back to Cam Long Down
The heavy shower to the north just missed me but provided a dramatic sky against the colourful meadowland of buttercups and celandines.
Back in Dursley.
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