May Hill (296m), Ruardean Hill (290m) and Wentwood (309m) 15th July 2010

Looking to the summit of May Hill

 

May Hill (296m)

This hill is located in west Gloucestershire, between Gloucester and Ross-on-Wye. I started the ascent from May Hill village, leaving the car at 1.40 pm. Most of the walk was accomplished by following the Gloucestershire Way, a well signposted and broad track. Lower down the hill was well wooded, whereas on entering the higher part of the hill, owned by the National Trust, the terrain became more meadow like. May Hill is recognisable from many hills on account of the clump of trees at the summit, and it was towards this that I headed for. A trig lay by the clump of trees, although I felt the summit lay inside the clump. It took 35 minutes to get to the top and there was an extensive view: the Cotswolds, the River Severn, the Malverns, the Sugar Loaf, and the Black Mountains were all in view. Although I was in the sunshine, it looked dark and stormy to the west. I knew a front was on the way, so I didn’t linger, but instead hurried back to the car. The whole walk took 55 minutes.

  A hazy view of the Black Mountains

 

Ruardean Hill (290m)

This hill lies near the Forest of Dean but the village of the same name lies at the summit, meaning that this hill is a bit like a rural  version of Crowborough. I parked in the village by the recreation ground and walked the few yards to the green which is the summit. From the recreation ground there was a view of the Forest of Dean and from a nearby field I saw the Black Mountains. However, apart a quick “ascent” this hill had nothing to commend it.

  The summit of Ruardean Hill

 

Wentwood (309m)

This hills lies in the forest of Coed Gwent in Monmouthshire and offers a short and easy walk to the summit. I parked in the Cadira Beeches car park and started walking at 4.10 pm. I followed a broad, straight forestry track, across a minor road and near the trig took a path to the summit. There was no view as the top is in the forest, so I retraced my steps to the car, arriving at 4.50 pm. Despite the lack of a view I found this quite a pleasant walk.

The summit of Wentwood