Visitor information

Winter at Mallards Pike: Frosty lakeside serenity and adventure awaits!

Escape to the stunning lakeside setting of Mallards Pike this winter. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or family fun, this beautiful spot has something for everyone.

Relax or explore:

  • Take a gentle stroll around the glistening lake, where winter wildlife and frosty reflections create a picture-perfect scene. Find a bench and breathe in the cool, fresh forest air.
  • Treat yourself in our cafe which serves hearty food, homemade cakes, and steaming hot drinks to keep the chill at bay.
  • Burn off some energy on our running trails, from a gentle 2km jog to a challenging 10km route through the winter landscape.
  • Adrenaline seekers can conquer the heights at Go Ape high ropes.
  • Glide through the woodland on an exhilarating Segway tour.
  • Bring your bikes and cycle the family-friendly Colliers Trail to explore the wider forest in its winter glory.
  • Little adventurers will love hunting for the hidden Gruffalo panels dotted around the lake in our Gruffalo orienteering challenge.

Please note: Use of the lake itself is by booking only. Swimming and personal watersports are not permitted in any lakes or ponds within the Forest of Dean.

Food and drink

Exterior of Mallards Pike Cafe

Mallards Cafe

Featuring locally sourced produce and home-made cakes, it’s the perfect spot to meet friends or rest and recharge after a run, walk or forest adventure, and is dog-friendly too!

Explore and enjoy England’s largest oak woodland and one of Go Ape's most beautiful adventures from the treetops at Mallards Pike.

Go Ape Treetop Challenge

Whether you are looking...

Head off the beaten track with our fun, navigational challenge at Mallards Pike. Use a Gruffalo-themed orienteering map to find twelve markers hidden in the deep, dark wood.

If you...

Whether you've just bought your first pair of trainers, or have 1000's of miles under foot, the trails at Mallards Pike offer opportunities for all runners. Lengths vary from 2km...

Mallards Pike is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and explore the beautiful Forest of Dean. 

Choose a walking trail for you

Enjoy a peaceful lakeside walk, or venture further...

Man running

Walking and running trails at Mallards Pike

Download a map of our trails to help you plan your visit.

Nearby forests

A sunny day outside Beechenhurst Cafe

Wrap up warm and head to Beechenhurst this winter for a magical day in the heart of the Forest of Dean, one of Britain’s most historic and enchanting woodlands. If you’re searching...

A wooden boardwalk stretches over the water at Cannop Ponds. Blue sky with white fluffy clouds.

Cannop Ponds are two reservoirs within the Forest of Dean, originally created in 1820s to supply a waterwheel at Parkend Ironworks.

Today, they are used for fishing by the Yorkley...

Aerial image of a river with forest on either side

Prepare to be enchanted this winter at Symonds Yat Rock, an iconic viewpoint offering sweeping, frosty panoramic views of the River Wye and the surrounding landscape. Whether you...

Family paddling in a brook

Wenchford is a hidden gem in the Forest of Dean. Its a great spot to visit if you enjoy nature, relaxation and spending time as a family.

Blackpool Brook trickles through the site...

Membership invitation - click to find out more about membership
Volunteer with us invitation - click to discover volunteer opportunities across England