21mile walk starting from Winchcombe following the Cotsway Way via to Birdlip.
The stretch of the Cotswold Way between Winchcombe and Birdlip is a beautiful and varied section that takes hikers through picturesque villages, rolling hills, and historic landmarks. Here’s a brief description of what you can expect on this section of the trail:
Starting in Winchcombe, the trail leads you through the charming town center and up onto the Cotswold escarpment, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. As you follow the Cotswold Way signs, you’ll pass through pretty farmland and pastures, with the occasional steep climb and descent to keep things interesting.
Along the way, you’ll encounter historic landmarks like the Belas Knap long barrow, a Neolithic tomb dating back to 2,500 BCE, and the picturesque village of Cleeve Hill, with its stunning views of Cheltenham and the surrounding countryside.
As you continue along the trail, you’ll pass through beautiful woodland and open fields, with occasional views of the Severn Valley in the distance. The climb up to the summit of Crickley Hill is challenging, but the panoramic views from the top are well worth the effort.
The final stretch of this section takes you through the charming village of Birdlip, with its pretty cottages and historic church, before descending down to the A417 road. Here, you can catch a bus or continue on to the next section of the Cotswold Way.
Distance: 21 miles
Time: 7 hours
Elevation: 2716 foot
Terrain: footpaths and tracks.
OS Map: OS Explore OL45 – The Cotswolds
Start Point: Winchcombe
End Point: Birdlip
Route map for Day 2 – Winchcombe To Birdlip by Andrew Gordon on plotaroute.com