The Gravelton Gravel Weekender

This is the BIG one! No less than two #newevents. The idea is simple. Showcase the best gravel around the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley on the same weekend. Riders tackle the Forest of Dean on Saturday and then the Wye Valley on Sunday. These are two of the best routes I think I’ve ever designed. I’ve spent more time planning and riding these than any other event on the calendar.

If you want to stay local, there are campsites, hotels and B&B’s to choose from but book early to get the best price and avoid disappointment. My idea is to hookup for beers, maybe food on the Saturday evening to talk about the day’s ride and the following day’s route.

If you really want to get in the spirit of bikepacking you can ride down and camp, or take the train to Lydney which is only 6 miles from the start.

Read my 2025 ride report of my recce rides here and here

Gravelton Events are not official or sanctioned. They are self-supported group rides. Same route, same day. It’s just you, your bike and your mates having fun.

All riders who wish to join me on a ride agree to adhere to my code of conduct. Have fun and share your ride with everyone else in the community afterwards.

How to Enter

Entry is FREE. Just turn up but I do recommend you subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest route and event info.

The Routes

Saturday – The Fod Plod

**NOTE: Due to an event clash at Pedalabikeaway on Saturday, the original parking and start have been moved the short distance to Forestry England Beechenhurst nearby instead

On Saturday riders tackle a complete remap of my original FoD Plod route. It’s an easy start south on the wide Family Cycle route to Parkend, then a loop around Oakenhill Wood takes riders north skirting Mallards Pike popping them out at the foot of the steep St Whites Rd climb. From here it’s back into the trees descending to Dry Wood for more climbing and trails to Littledean. Out of the village riders cut right to tackle a very punchy Littledean Hill before another lengthy section of trails loses riders around the outskirts of Puddlebrook and Drybrook. After enjoying a well earned descent, at Harrow Hill its a short section of the A4136 and then a final loop around the heart of the Forest back to base for 61km and 1000m of elevation in the bag.

You can download a GPS file from the Gravelton GPS Folder in any format you want or use the Komoot links below

The Short Course heads south to Parkend and follows the main route through Oakenhill Wood and past Mallards Pike all the way to it’s most northern point at Drybrook but skipping the Harechurch Wood byway. Then its back the same way as main routers but straight back to base skipping the final forest loop of the main route.

Sunday – The Wye Valley Wander

I think The Wye Valley Wander is one of the best routes I’ve ever designed. I can’t wait to return and ride it again.

Riders face a loop of the forest roads among the Pedalabikeway trails first then after cutting through Berry Hill its a gravel treat around the back of Bracelands Campsite to Symonds Yat Vistors Centre. Take care on the descent to the River Wye from here. Drivers think its ok to take RV’s and SUV’s with trailers down a very narrow single track lane so expect queues. At the valley floor riders track the rivers’ edge southbound on NCN Route 483 to Monmouth.

At Monmouth, short climb takes riders back into the trees on the disused railway line to Redbrook where riders cross the picturesque bridge and track the river again. After 2km riders bear right and begin the tough alpinesque climb out of the valley. At the summit a brief road section gives way to Trelleck Common for some lovely, quiet trails and a fast descent back down to the waters edge from The Narth. Back to Redbrook now to cross the river again to pickup a lengthy climb away from the valley floor again around the headland to Newland. It’s lumpy tarmac from here to Coleford then the fabulous Coleford to Parkend link path. An awesome trail in it’s own right. At Parkend it’s then north back to the start.

If you’ve ridden Saturday too, you will be tired but beaming. It’s one of the best rides on the calendar for me. Make sure you’re there!

You can download a GPS file from the Gravelton GPS Folder in any format you want or use the Komoot link below

Short coursers follow the main route but don’t cross the river and miss The Narth loop around Trelleck Common.

Need to Know

1. Invite your mates. Tell everyone about the ride.
2. Remind yourself of my code of conduct
3. Park considerately on the day.
4. Always take your litter home.
5. Be self-sufficient. Make sure you have the route, your phone, spares, food, drink, money.
6. Shut any gates.
7. Ride within your capabilities and the rules of the road.
8. Be courteous to other trail users and share your space nicely. A bell is highly recommended.
9. Remember it’s a ride not a race.
10. Share your ride afterwards.

Accomodation

Unless you are camping (Bracelands is on the Sunday route) , accomodation close to the start/finish at Forestry England Beechenhurst is sparse so if you are going to stay I recommend you book early to get the best price and avoid disappointment.
For my recce I stayed at the Bells Hotel & Country Club in Coleford, The Angel Hotel there is an option too. Both are about 300m from the course (not the start/finish) + there are other options available through sites like Booking.com & AirBnB to suit most budgets. Coleford is the most likely venue for a Saturday evening meet-up.
Other options are to stay a little further out and either drive, train (Lydney Station @ 6 miles) or ride in each day.

If anyone is bike packing down to the Gravel Weekender, friend of Gravelton Events, Martin can offer FREE basic camping for a small number of riders (only one toilet) – quiet secluded field , dry barn for cooking (or sleeping if desired) plenty of wood for open fires, 8 miles north of Pedalabikeaway. Location HR9 5TG, contact me and I will pass your details on.

Refreshments

Pre and post-ride refreshments are available at the Beechenhurst cafe on-site. On Saturday the only cafe en-route is at Mallards Pike. On Sunday, riders can stop at Symonds Yat and Redbrook

Parking

There is a large Pay & Display car park at Forestry England Beechenhurst (Saturday) and the Pedalabikeaway trail centre (Sunday).

They are expensive for the day but the money is reinvested into the facilities we enjoy

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