18.6 km woodland walk via Route midpoint · Cotswolds AONB

This 18.6 km (11.6 miles) circular walk is a proper woodland wander, ideal if you enjoy being under a canopy of leaves. It’s a moderate route, mostly on well-defined tracks and shaded paths, with a gentle total ascent of 198 m. You can expect to be out for around 57 hours and 58 minutes at a steady pace, making it a good choice for a full day out where the focus is on the quiet rustle of trees and the dappled light of the forest floor. It’s a route that suits those who appreciate the simple beauty of a long walk through the woods, without too many dramatic climbs or wide-open views.

Around the halfway mark, you'll reach the Route Midpoint, which offers a brief respite from the trees with a modest viewpoint. It's not a place to linger for a long lunch, more a spot to pause, take a breath, and perhaps enjoy a quick snack before dipping back into the woods. The approach to this point is gradual, keeping you immersed in the woodland atmosphere, and you might catch glimpses of the wider landscape through the trees as you climb gently towards it.

The second half of the loop continues much in the same vein, offering more of those peaceful, tree-lined tracks. After heavy rain, some sections can get quite muddy, so sturdy waterproof boots are a sensible choice. The route eventually brings you back to your starting point, leaving you with the satisfying feeling of a day well spent in nature. If a long, unhurried walk through the heart of the woods sounds like your kind of day, this route will deliver.