Holidays
Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Guided Walking

Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Guided Walking

Guided Walking Holidays in Gloucestershire

4 nights

Jun, Sep

1 walk

Grades 2 & 4

81kg CO2

4 nights from

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Members

From

£869

Non-members

From

£899

Groups of 10+

or call

020 3974 8865

Considered one of the most unspoilt river valleys in Britain, the postcard-pretty Wye Valley is home to ancient woodlands, meandering rivers, limestone gorges, and a vast array of wildlife including otters, kingfishers, and peregrine. You’ll also be charmed by world-class sculptures, art installations, and much more in the Forest of Dean – a place of timeless beauty nestled in Gloucestershire’s westerly corner, close to England’s border with Wales.

What You’ll Love

The choice of two walks a day – one easier, one harder
Soaking up views of Tintern Abbey and the River Wye from the Devil's Pulpit
Exploring the heart of an ancient medieval forest
Spotting peregrine falcons and plenty of other wildlife
Savouring picturesque views of the Wye Valley from Symonds Yat Rock
Discovering the Seven Sisters Rocks and visiting King Arthur’s Caves

What's Included

Comfortable en-suite rooms in our partner accommodation(s)
Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
Daily packed lunches
Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
Guided walks with an experienced HF Holidays Leader
All transport to and from walks where necessary

Trip Suitability

Your fitness

Having a solid base of fitness before your holiday will ensure you've the best chance of completing the holiday and enjoying it to boot. Here's a few simple tips to help you get fit and ready for your challenge:

Get out walking - whatever the weather, get out there, and start building your fitness months before your holiday
Build your distance gradually and get a number of 6-8hr hill days in
Ideally, try and do two consecutive days training if possible
Take the stairs every time
Train on different terrain
Train with your day pack and your walking boots too, to ensure they're well worn in before your holiday
Other sports help improve your walking fitness too. The best ones are jogging, cycling, swimming, which will build your stamina, and yoga which will help strengthen your core and improve balance
Time training will help ensure you enjoy your holiday to the max.

Itinerary

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

Close all Expand all

You're welcome to check in at The Speech House Hotel from 2pm onwards. An unmissable historic building set in the centre of the forest, it will be our base for the next few days. Your HF Holidays Leaders will be on hand from 6:30pm, when we’ll gather to give you a warm welcome and explain the plan of action before dinner.

Explore the area around Tintern Abbey, one of the great monastic ruins in Wales, and discover Offa's Dyke.

Walk in ancient woodland, see world class sculpture, and uncover history in the Forest of Dean.

Explore the River Wye and soak up the views from Symonds Yat Rock.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before check-out at 10:30am.

Download trip notes

Daily Walk Options

Easier Walks

Good paths but walks are a bit longer. Some walks, particularly in mountain areas, may have sections over rough or steeper terrain.

Medium Walks

Long distances in remote countryside and on rough terrain. You can expect some sustained ascents and descents; there may be occasional sections of scree and steep ground.

Accommodation

The Speech House Hotel

In the heart of the Forest of Dean, just 5 miles from the Wye Valley, The Speech House Hotel combines original charm with modern comfort. Independently owned and family run, this former 17th-century hunting lodge has 35 stylishly decorated en-suite rooms across the main house and the courtyard. Due to the hotel’s rural location, the quality of mobile phone reception can vary. However, the hotel is well-equipped with free Wi-Fi throughout. Free onsite private parking is also available with two electric car charging points. To top it all, the AA Rosette-winning restaurant serves delicious meals using quality local produce wherever possible. This hotel is dog-friendly so you may meet four legged friends in some of the communal areas.

Food & drink

Your stay is full-board. This includes daily breakfasts, packed lunch options, and evening meals.

Packed lunches

Packed lunches provided by our partner hotels may be too much food for some and not enough for others. As a minimum, they will include a bread sandwich or roll with a choice of filling, fresh fruit, crisps, and a biscuit/flapjack or piece of cake. If you feel you might need more food during the walk, please bring a supply of snacks to supplement this.

Dietary requirements

Our partner hotels can cater for most dietary requirements, but it is important you advise us of any allergies and dietary restrictions you have at the time of booking.

More Information

Walks may be changed for safety reasons and are subject to a maximum and minimum number of guests.

Leaders always consider the safety of the group as a whole, and may need to alter or curtail the walk if the conditions dictate. Your leader may refuse to accept a guest where clothing, equipment or behaviour is unsuitable. In the event of a problem all leaders carry a mobile phone, first aid kit, group shelter, spare maps and a compass.

Please note: If you choose to leave the group your leader is no longer responsible for you.

If you have a particular health condition or disability please put this on your guest registration form. This information will be confidential to your leaders and the house manager, but leaders do need to take account of any issues when planning walks. Please carry a copy of these trip notes with you, or note down the contact phone number for your accommodation (details in the travel section) should you need them in case of emergency.

The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next.  To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.  

Essentials 

Suitable footwear such as waterproof walking boots that provide ankle support and good grip 
Waterproof and windproof jacket
Comfortable clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable) 
Mid-layer(s) to keep you warm. Fleeces make a good choice
Waterproof overtrousers 
Gloves and a warm hat
Rucksack with waterproof liner
Flask for hot drinks  
Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity) 
Sunscreen 
UV sunglasses

For holidays operating October through to the end of March, please also bring the following on your walks:

spare warm clothing
spare high energy food
head torch and spare batteries
please note for the October to March season your waterproof jacket needs to offer a high level of waterproofing and wind resistance, and a hood. Look for a waterproof jacket with sealed/taped seams and a minimum HH (hyrodstatic head - this is the rating given on waterproof jackets) of 10,000mm+

Recommended 

Several base layers (long-sleeve or short-sleeve) 
Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters 
First aid kit, including plasters and insect repellent
Sit mat  
Waterproof pouch for valuables 
Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace) 
Wallet/purse 
Camera
Walking poles

Carbon Footprint - 81kg CO2

We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.

Learn more

Reviews

Code: XAT04-BTB11

2026

Back to dates

Mon 8 Jun – Fri 12 Jun 2026

Trip Note Download

Land Only

Members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Non-members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Single Price - Land Only

Members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Non-members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Single Supplement

Members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Non-members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Itinerary: 4 Nights - Itinerary

Trip Type: Guided Walking Holidays

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take an alternative route, or vary the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.

Mon 14 Sep – Fri 18 Sep 2026

Trip Note Download

Land Only

Members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Non-members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Single Price - Land Only

Members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Non-members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Single Supplement

Members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Non-members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Itinerary: 4 Nights - Itinerary

Trip Type: Guided Walking Holidays

All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.

Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Guided Walking

What You’ll Love

What's Included

Trip Suitability

Itinerary

Daily Walk Options