SO6316 : Clear land at Ruardean Hill

Ruardean Hill

291m Elevation
175m Prominence
England Country
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SO6316 : Clear land at Ruardean Hill

Philip Halling Photo source

Explore routes near Ruardean Hill

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Malvern Hills Circular Walk

20.5 km ~4h Moderate

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Lower Failand–Priors wood

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Ashton Court Circular with Quarry

13.8 km ~3h 30m Moderate

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Failand–Abbots Fish pond–Long Ashton

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Ruardean Hill Circular Walk

A scenic circular route starting from the nearby village of Ruardean. The path weaves through woodlands and clearings, offering panoramic views as you ascend.

5 km ~2 hours Moderate

Forest Trail from the East

This route approaches from the east, using forest tracks that gently rise towards the summit. Ideal for leisurely walkers and families.

3.5 km ~1.5 hours Easy
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn 200-299m hill

Elevation

291m

954 ft

Prominence

175m

Coordinates

51.8496, -2.5314

SO634169

OS Map

162

Explorer: OL14E

At the Summit

The summit of Ruardean Hill features a prominent trig point and a small stone-built shelter offering a perfect spot for a breather and perhaps a picnic. You'll also find a rocky outcrop that provides stunning vistas.

Terrain & Geology

Predominantly grassy with rocky outcrops interspersed with patches of woodland. Some sections may be uneven particularly near the summit.

Ruardean Hill is primarily composed of Old Red Sandstone, which gives it a distinctive reddish hue. This sedimentary rock was formed during the Devonian period, around 419 to 359 million years ago. The rugged terrain is also characterized by glacial features, highlighting the area's complex geological history.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, hikers can enjoy sweeping views of the Wye Valley, the Malvern Hills, and on a clear day, the Black Mountains in Wales.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Ruardean' is thought to derive from the Welsh word 'rhiw' meaning slope, and 'din' meaning fortress, hinting at the hill's historical significance.

Historical Significance

Ruardean Hill holds historical importance as a lookout point, historically used during various conflicts for its vantage point over the surrounding area.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

There is a small car park at the entrance to the Ruardean Hill Nature Reserve. Additional parking can be found in the village of Ruardean.

Public Transport

Regular bus services operate from nearby towns such as Cinderford and Lydney, stopping in Ruardean.

Nearby Facilities

Nearby facilities include local pubs and cafes in Ruardean, as well as public toilets in the village.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Slippery paths during wet conditions, potential for sudden weather changes. As always, watch your footing among the rocky areas.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Ruardean Hill?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Ruardean Hill through the maps

Are there other walkers around Ruardean Hill?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Ruardean Hill search or of course create your own walk for Ruardean Hill

Can I organise a walk to Ruardean Hill?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Ruardean Hill.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Ruardean Hill?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Ruardean Hill here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: SO634169

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

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