The Most Beautiful Hikes In And Around Bristol

As well as being a vibrant and bustling city, Bristol is also immersed in beautiful greenery and countryside. It’s closely neighboured by some of the most stunning landscapes in the country, offering a number of different walk trails and hikes. Here’s some of the must-visit locations to explore the South West by foot.

Cotswold Way

For just over 100 miles that sprawls from Chipping Camden to Bath, immerse yourself in picturesque countryside that winds through the infamous villages of the Cotswolds, with stone markers signalling the beginning and the end of the trail. This can be a pretty long journey, so think about stopping in between, perhaps even for a night in one of the locals Cotswolds hotels. Keep an eye out for famous ancient artefacts along the way.

Bath Skyline Walk

If you’re after incredible views of Bath, the Mendips and the other local surrounding countryside, then this walk is sure to please you. Wander through 6 miles of meadows, woodlands and valleys, taking in the incredible views of Bath and the local wildlife that greets you along the way. You can do this walk on your own or as part of a guided tour.

Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail

This is one seriously beautiful hike to take and isn’t too far from Bristol. Built in 1986, this is a visual journey that was created with work from a number of artists’ interpretation of the surrounding woodland. One of the most stunning pieces to look out for on your walk is a breathtaking stained glass window, suspended between the trees. There are a number of different routes you can choose to take, depending on the difficulty level you wish to challenge yourself to.

Leigh Woods

Right in the heart of Bristol, Leigh Woods is an incredible forest area that offers a number of different marked hiking trails, suitable for all levels of walkers. The trail takes you through gorgeous woodland, fields and one of the trails (The River Avon Trail) even takes you to the base of the Avon Gorge where you can gaze up at the famous Suspension Bridge.

North Wessex Downs

This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is made up of open downs, chalk streams and historic woodland. With a number of trail options available, you can choose the Kennet and Avon Canal tow path and even the World Heritage Site path to see the Avebury Stone Circle. One of the paths leads you to stunning views across Silbury Hill, the largest manmade mound in Europe, where you can try and spot chalk white horses at certain times of the year.