English Bicknor, Hillersland and Coldwell Wood

The path next descends into the south through another gorge, cutting through the high lands of the plateau. It is believed that the great looping meanders of the River Wye found here were formed when the land was much flatter; then, as the rocks forming the plateau were pushed slowly upwards, the river cut down into them to maintain its route.

From the Gated Rock, the path takes you along the cliffs passing another viewpoint, where you see as far north as Goodrich church. Descending into the woods, you reach a spring emerging from an old stone stoup (a small basin for holy water): this is perhaps the "cold well" which gives its name to the rocks and woodland of this section.

Nearing the end of the walk, you look down through the woods from another viewpoint. Abundant yew trees seem almost to hang suspended above the river. The many limestone pinnacles contain the nesting sites of peregrine falcons, which are protected by law. Information on the birds is usually available at Gated Rock. Finally, as you emerge from the woods it is a short walk back to the start in English Bicknor.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.