Nescliffe Circular Route

Our Review

This is an excellent forested route around Nescliffe hill.

You can either walk or ride, but if you plan on covering all the distances, then this is better for older children.

Riding the route

This route follows a bridleway for walking, cycling, and horses. If you are riding, be careful around blind corners, as there could be a horse coming the other way.

This trail has a mix of surfaces: gravel, dirt, and tarmac. There are a few short road sections on quiet country roads.

We found one section of the route quite overgrown with nettles, which we have marked on the map, so be careful of this section and make sure kids have long trousers if riding or walking through that part.

Some sections are not suitable for riding, such as going up to the trig point, which is narrow and steep. Cycling is also not permitted around the ancient Iron Age Hill Fort.

Kynaston's Cave

If you follow the route in the same direction we did, you will come to Kynaston's Cave in a high sandstone quarry.

Kynaston has a bit of a local legend around him. He was a local highwayman, but unlike the story of Dick Turpin, Kynaston is said to be more like Robin Hood, who stole from the rich and gave to the poor.

He hid in a cave within the quarry along with his horse Beelzebub, and you can still see that cave today.

Here's a video from the Bald Explorer for more information on Kynaston.

It is said that the highwayman used to visit the Old Three Pigeons Inn, and his seat is still there. This is on the road in Nescliffe, at the junction to the smaller road where you can find the carpark. It serves food and drink, and so a great place to stop off after a good walk around the hill.

Facilities

Facilities Details

On The Map

Address