Forest of Dean Full Colliers Trail from Cannop Ponds

A full circuit of the Forest of Dean on Forestry England’s yellow waymarked Colliers Trail, starting at the public Cannop Ponds car park. This is the longer loop through former colliery and railway ground, with the southern circuit through Lightmoor and Three Brothers as well as the northern railway. Allow about four hours and fifteen minutes for steady walking and short stops.

Leave the car park by its access road and join the main trail heading north beside Upper Cannop Pond. Continue along the former railway past the old Speech House Road station, cross the signed road crossing carefully and follow the Cycle Centre connection to Whitegates. Keep to the main Colliers waymarks around the northern loop to the old Drybrook Road station. Continue round the eastern side past Foxes Bridge and beneath Speech House Road to Lightmoor, rather than taking the Hicksters Way shortcut. The trail then turns southwest across Central Bridge and curves south toward New Fancy. Stay on the main loop around the bend below New Fancy, then follow the Three Brothers forest track west and downhill back to Cannop Ponds. Return along the pond-side access route to the car park.

The walk is mostly on broad gravel forest tracks and former railway paths. The Three Brothers section has a steep hill, and loose stone, potholes and muddy patches can slow progress. These are shared trails: expect bicycles, runners, dogs and occasional forestry vehicles. Keep dogs close, leave room for passing cyclists and stay on the main trail at the optional mountain-bike skills zones. The Cannop access section is shared with cars. Forestry work may affect sections, so check the Cycle Centre trail-status page before travelling and follow on-site signs and staff instructions.

Cannop Ponds were created in the 1820s to supply Parkend Ironworks. There are picnic tables and a refreshment van at weekends and school holidays, normally 11am to 4pm. Toilets and a café are available at the Cycle Centre during opening hours. Cannop parking is paid; an all-day ticket is sensible for this walk. The car park opens at 8am and its barrier closes at 6.30pm in October, 5pm from November to February, with later closing in summer. Return before the posted closing time. Swimming is not permitted in the ponds.