18 mile walk starting from Birdlip following the Cotsway Way to Middleyard.
The stretch of the Cotswold Way between Birdlip and Middleyard is a beautiful and challenging section of the trail that takes hikers through some of the most picturesque parts of the Cotswolds. Here’s a brief description of what you can expect on this section of the trail:
Starting in Birdlip, you’ll follow the Cotswold Way signs as they wind through beautiful woodland and up onto the Cotswold escarpment. From here, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including the Severn Valley and the Malvern Hills in the distance.
As you continue along the trail, you’ll encounter some challenging climbs and descents, including the steep ascent up to Crickley Hill and the winding path down to Coopers Hill. Along the way, you’ll also pass through charming villages like Painswick, with its beautiful churchyard, and Sheepscombe, with its historic wool trade heritage.
One of the highlights of this section is the stunning viewpoint at Coopers Hill, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the River Severn. From here, the trail leads you through open farmland and along quiet country lanes, with occasional steep climbs and descents to keep things interesting.
As you approach Middleyard, you’ll pass through beautiful woodland and pastures, with the occasional glimpse of the River Severn in the distance. The final stretch of the trail takes you through the charming village of Edge and past the historic ruins of Witcombe Roman Villa before arriving in Middleyard.
Distance: 18 miles
Time: 11 hours
Elevation: 2716 foot
Terrain: footpaths and tracks.
OS Map: OS Explore OL45 – The Cotswolds
Start Point: Birdlip
End Point: Middleyard
