Symonds Yat Wellness Walk

If you’re looking for fun and beautiful walks to do this weekend then we recommend heading over to Symonds Yat.

Located in the west of England and deep in the heart of the Forest of Dean. There is an almost endless number of interconnected routes to choose from. From the well signposted to the adventurous paths that run deep into this stunning temperate rainforest (yes this is a rainforest).

In this blog post we are going to give you all the information you’ll need to set yourself up for a great day out.

First you want to make your way to the carpark at this postcode GL16 7NZ [https://maps.app.goo.gl/fLBSB2WL2m77VvkJ6].

Don’t be tempted to try and find somewhere to park on the road (we’ve tried many times to find somewhere). Unfortunately there isn’t anywhere where you won’t be either blocking someone’s driveway, entrance, passing place or turning place.

This carpark is very well serviced, with plenty of spaces, toilets, signage, and a great cafe.

Parking here will cost £4 for half a day or £7 for a full day. It’s a bit pricey but, unless all you want to do is walk fast and leave, we recommend paying for the full day. There is also limited phone signal here, so extending your parking out on the trail isn’t really an option. So give yourself plenty of stress free time enjoy the area. It’s worth it. Payment terminals are located by the toilets and are contactless. Don’t be tempted to not pay, there are ANPR camera’s located at the entrance and exist to the carpark, and they WILL nab you.

The cafe is a great place to start and/or end your day on the trail. It’s only open on Saturdays and Sundays between 09:30 and 15:30. They have a wide selection of hot and cold food and drinks. It is a little on pricey, but with the great the service and quality of the food, we don’t mind too much. They also have complimentary treats available for your furry family members, as well as water bowls to the side of the cafe.

There is also a a couple of great viewpoints nearby, with one of them having a stunning view over the River Wye. They are well signposted so should be easy to find. If you’re lucky you may even see a bird of pray flying around.

Once you’ve paid, it’s time to grab your bags, water and snacks and hit the trail. We recommend starting off with the wellness trail. It’s a great way to get yourself immersed in this beautiful forest.

Look on the information board near the toilets and payment terminals. The trail you’re looking for is the Symonds Yat trail.

It’s a very easy and flat trail, and at 2km long it should only take you about 30 to 45 minutes. Leaving you plenty of time to try another one of the larger trails.

The route is very well signposted and it’s hard to get lost. But we have a link to the route on komoot should you want it anyway - https://www.komoot.com/tour/2045753970?share_token=agIUarVv4v03dG7FDPI4z6zZEAhZsx7gI0M4SQyVh8Dq4HKPgv&ref=wtd

It’s won’t be long until you come across the first reason why this is one of our favourite trails.

These mindfulness prompt signs.

They are placed all along the trail with great prompts to get you to stop and notice the beauty around you. As well as some thought provoking quotes. We won’t spoil it by showing all of them. So come and experience them for yourself.

If you’re a little anti-social you can avoid the crowds by coming during the week, outside of school holidays and in the morning. But even on weekends, if you arrive before 09:30 it shouldn’t feel too crowded on the trail.

We hope this blog post has been helpful. Happy exploring!