Cleeve Hill and Common - Miles without Stiles

Roam across the Cotswolds’ highest common for fabulous views to the Malverns and into Wales. But if the top is covered by cloud you will be wise to come on another day.

Distance

4 miles / 6.44 km

Duration

2.5 hours

Difficulty

May be steep slopes, moderate fitness

Mobility aid rating

Stile free

Shape

Circular

Start

Address


View start on Google Maps

OS Grid Ref

SO989271

What3Words

cheesy.rear.eyepieces

Public toilets

Municipal golf clubhouse open to the public.

Refreshments

Municipal golf clubhouse open to the public.

Travel Info

Cleeve Common, off the B4632 3 miles north of Cheltenham at top of hill. Drive up narrow lane signed to golf club and at the top cross a bumpy cattle grid and turn L on rough track into old quarry car park. SO 989/271 satnav GL52 3PW.

Navigation

Exit the quarry car park and turn R to follow the track signposted Cotswold Way (CW) past the tee. Go through a gate and continue along CW to another gate 1.

Here the path splits, take the middle path and bear slightly R as the path descends to a CW post. Ignore the L-hand path (CW) and continue ahead on a level grassy track to meet a wall and trees on your L. The track widens and curves L, carry on to a small pond and a sheep washpool 2. Follow the path up the valley floor with the sream on your R. Further up by some loose stone on the R water bubbles out of the ground, the source of the River Isbourne.

Continue up the valley to a fork in the path 3. Bear R and follow the path (bearing WSW) until the valley levels out. Here your path meets a junction of other paths and grass tracks. Take the path slightly R. After 50 m cross a main track 4. Continue straight on along a grassy track, bearing slightly L where the path splits. Walk across the common keeping the radio masts to your L and head for a solitary tree inside a stone wall, with all-round views.

From the tree aim towards the centre of Cheltenham in the distance (SW) to a hill fort approx. 200 m ahead. (head towards the two trees on the edge  of the escarpment, then turn right 5. You are now on the scarp edge of the Cotswolds with Cheltenham and its racecourse below you.

Follow the CW posts, past the 16th tee 6 follow the CW markers as the path bears R passing over a cross dyke before ascending to a topograph.

Here turn L (west) and descend to a CW post, bear L and follow the CW posts. The path levels and up to the R behind the 18th tee is a small exposed cliff face in a disused quarry 7.

A notice board here explains the geology. Retrace your footsteps to the path; turn R to follow the now stoney track back to the clubhouse and the quarry car park.