Hikes in Stroud

A short but delightful walk through open meadows, shaded woodland, and open common with some of the finest views on the Cotswold Way.

A pleasant woodland walk leads away from Birdlip before the ascent onto Cooper’s Hill. Continuing through Buckholt Wood, the path crosses Painswick Golf Course before the leisurely walk into Painswick itself.

A loop walk around the cotwwolds 349.1 km (216.9 miles)7,555 m (24,787 ft) ascent319 m (1,047 ft)  maximum height

This is a long and fairly demanding walk. However, the steep climbs and descents are rewarded with some of the best views on the Cotswold Way. You are also treated to some interesting historical sites and local towns.

Things start with a delightful walk through open meadows shaded woodland, and open common to Kings Stanley. Leaving Kings Stanley, things start to get a bit more demanding - the steep climbs and descents are rewarded with some of the best views on the Cotswold Way. 

Open fields interspersed with patches of woodland dominate your walk to Old Sodbury. 

An early climb takes you up onto the escarpment at Blackquarries and Wortley Hill before winding its way through pastures and woodland. Passing through quiet villages and past numerous historical sites you get a real sense of a bygone era.

Wander through valleys filled with aged mills and pleasant streams along the path to Hawkesbury Upton. It is easy to appreciate the evidence of the once-prosperous wool manufacturing that supports the region’s growth. Continue onward to enjoy walks through isolated rural villages, and soak in the tranquillity of the walk into Old Sodbury.

This is a classic Cotswold escarpment ridge walk, with panoramic views along the route into Birdlip. A pleasant woodland walk leads away from Birdlip before the ascent onto Cooper’s Hill. Continuing through Buckholt Wood, the path crosses Painswick Golf Course before the leisurely walk into Painswick itself.

A pleasant woodland walk leads away from Birdlip before the ascent onto Cooper’s Hill. Continuing through Buckholt Wood, the path crosses Painswick Golf Course before the leisurely walk into Painswick. Leaving Painswick is a short but delightful walk through open meadows, shaded woodland, and open common with some of the finest views on the Cotswold Way.