Dowdeswell is a region in Gloucestershire, England, characterized by its ancient woodlands, tranquil reservoir, and varied terrain. Situated on the northern slopes of the Chelt Valley, the area features a mix of deciduous forests, open paths, and some challenging inclines, making it suitable for a range of outdoor pursuits. The landscape includes Dowdeswell Wood and the Dowdeswell Reservoir, providing diverse environments for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, touring cycling, and more.
Dowdeswell…
112
Routes
4.3
(148)
Average rating
1817
People visited
4.5
(31)
113
hikers
6.14km
01:50
190m
190m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.6
(11)
56
hikers
10.1km
02:46
160m
160m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.6
(12)
52
hikers
3.88km
01:07
100m
100m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(10)
30
hikers
3.22km
00:57
100m
100m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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1.0
(1)
131
riders
51.7km
02:19
510m
510m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(1)
93
riders
52.4km
02:33
600m
600m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
32
riders
31.6km
01:44
470m
470m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
27
riders
23.7km
00:59
150m
150m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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87
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
4.1
(11)
36
riders
19.5km
01:30
460m
460m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(2)
32
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(2)
24
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3.0
(1)
28
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
28
riders
29.6km
02:32
580m
580m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(4)
44
riders
29.2km
02:18
490m
490m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
5.0
(3)
26
riders
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
61
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.
20
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
17
runners
4.80km
00:33
120m
120m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
16
runners
12.5km
01:18
80m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
40
riders
115km
08:15
1,650m
1,650m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
3.0
(1)
14
riders
19.0km
01:20
260m
260m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4
riders
71.0km
04:47
990m
990m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5
riders
44.9km
03:14
710m
710m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Dowdeswell offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Mountain biking, Road cycling, Touring cycling, Jogging, and Gravel biking. The region features more than 30 routes for these sports. For detailed information, explore guides such as Hiking around Dowdeswell or MTB Trails around Dowdeswell.
Dowdeswell is known for Dowdeswell Wood, an ancient woodland, and Dowdeswell Reservoir. The reservoir, originally built in the 19th century, is a focal point and home to various bird species. The woods feature ancient oaks, beech trees, and seasonal wildflowers like bluebells.
Yes, Dowdeswell offers routes for various skill levels, including shorter loops of about 30 minutes. The terrain includes dirt paths and gravel, with some sections that can be muddy. For specific options, refer to Easy hikes around Dowdeswell.
A popular route is the Dowdeswell Wood and Reservoir Loop, which is approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) long. Other options include the Lineover Wood & Dowdeswell Reservoir loop, measuring 3.8 miles (6.1 km). Some paths involve steep inclines leading to viewpoints over Cheltenham.
Yes, Dowdeswell offers routes for Mountain biking, Road cycling, and Touring cycling. These routes often feature a mix of paved and unpaved surfaces. Guides like Road Cycling Routes around Dowdeswell provide specific options.
The terrain in Dowdeswell varies, including dirt paths and gravel. Some sections can be muddy after rain, particularly within Dowdeswell Wood. Certain paths also feature steep inclines, especially those leading to elevated viewpoints.
Information regarding dog allowances is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. Visitors should check local signage or the official website for specific regulations regarding pets on trails and around the reservoir.
Dowdeswell is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 38,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The routes in the region have an average rating of 4.47 out of 5 stars. There are 36 total routes available for various activities.
Dowdeswell is a haven for wildlife, with potential sightings of deer, foxes, and various small mammals, including common dormice. The reservoir attracts bird species such as kingfishers, herons, moorhens, coots, and grebes. The area is designated as a Key Wildlife Site.
Yes, several trails, particularly those with steeper inclines, offer expansive views. These viewpoints provide scenic panoramas of the surrounding Gloucestershire countryside and Cheltenham. The View from Wistley Hill – Leckhampton Hill Viewpoint loop is an example of a route with rewarding views.
Komoot offers several guides for Dowdeswell, categorized by activity. Examples include Hiking around Dowdeswell, MTB Trails around Dowdeswell, and Cycling around Dowdeswell. These guides provide curated routes and information for different sports.
Dowdeswell offers different experiences throughout the year. In spring, bluebells carpet the forest floor, and in autumn, colorful fungi can be observed. The ancient woodlands provide a rich environment for exploration in various seasons.
Dowdeswell Wood is managed by Dowdeswell Conservation Limited. Their official website is dowdeswellconservation.org, and they can be reached by phone at 01242 650690. The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, also involved in management, can be contacted at 01452 383333.

