Mallards Pike

Visitor information

Opening hours

Open every day except Christmas Day. The site opens at 8am every day and the closing times are as follows:

November to February - 5pm

March - 6:30pm

April - 8pm

May to August - 9pm

September - 7:30pm

October - 6:30pm

Mallards Pike is often quieter on weekdays (outside of school holidays), earlier in the morning, and later in the afternoon.

How to find us

Parkend, Gloucestershire

Sat Nav Postcode: GL15 4HD

By Car

You will find Mallards Pike half way along the road between Parkend and Blakeney. Please be aware of the road closure on New Road from the A48 at Blakeney to Wenchford and Mallards Pike will remain in place for some time. Please follow the diversion in place to get to sites. We recommend visiting from the Parkend direction.

By Public Transport

From Coleford - number 23 bus, change at Bream to number 727 bus (then a 20 minute walk)

From Lydney - number 717 bus (then a 20 minute walk)

From Cinderford - number 717 bus, change at Blakeney to number 727 bus.

OS Grid Ref

SO637093

Get directions

51.780938722642, -2.5289297828033

Parking and prices

Pay for your parking with cash, debit/credit card or use the RingGo app. We recommend downloading the app to your phone before you visit.

You can also use RingGo by pre-booking online or calling 0203 046 0063 with location code 31037 (cars) or 31038 (minibus or motorhome).

There is a small convenience charge for using this service. See RingGo online for full terms and conditions and VAT receipts.

Forest of Dean members park for free. Buy your Membership now for £42 and simply display your pass in your vehicle without queuing for a ticket. Parking charges and memberships help us to look after the Forest of Dean for everyone.

Parking Charges

The money you pay for parking helps us to look after the forests. Read how

Cars/Vans/Motorbikes
Early bird - exit before 10.30am	£2.00
Up to 2 hours	£3.00
Up to 4 hours	£5.00
All day	£7.00

Minibuses/Motorhomes
All day	£10.00

Coaches
All day	£12.00

Additional information

Regular visitors can save money by becoming a Member -

Number of accessible parking spaces: 5

Card payments accepted

Coaches/Minibuses welcomed

Disabled parking available

Pay by phone available

Facilities and access

Mallards Pike Cafe opening hours vary depending on the time of year.

If you have limited mobility, why not hire a Tramper through the Countryside Mobility Scheme? Trampers are off-road mobility scooters, which are easy to use and able to tackle a range of surfaces and gradients come rain or shine. You do not have to be registered disabled to hire one.

Mallards Pike is often quieter on weekdays (outside of school holidays), earlier in the morning, and later in the afternoon.

For more information on planning your visit, take a look at our accessibility guide:

View Accessibility Guide

Accessible toilet

Assistant dogs welcome

Baby changing facilities

Cafe

Dogs allowed

Easy access trail

Picnic area

Toilets

Contact details

Landline Number

0300 067 4800

E-Mail Address

westengland@forestryengland.uk

Mallards Pike

The perfect place to get active in the Forest of Dean

There is something for everyone at this beautiful lakeside setting.

Adrenaline seekers can challenge themselves at Go Ape Tree Top Challenge. For those with energy left to burn there is Forest Segway or a range of running trails from 2km to 10km routes.

There is also Gruffalo Orienteering for adventurous youngsters or you can even bring your bikes and access the wider forest on our Family Cycle Trail. If you're looking for a more peaceful visit then why not enjoy a lakeside walk followed by a visit to the cafe?

Please note: Use of the lake is by booking only. Individual swimming and watersports are not permitted in any of the lakes and ponds in the Forest of Dean.

At a glance

Our toilet block is being refurbished and the men's toilets will be closed from Monday 20 March for approx. 6 weeks. Temporary toilets are available. Follow us on Facebook for updates.

15/03/2023 16:09

The lakeside path will be partially closed from Monday 5th June for approximately one week whilst we remove trees infected with the disease phytophthora ramorum. Follow us on Facebook for updates.

26/05/2023 09:13

Things to do

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Gruffalo Orienteering at Mallards Pike

Try our fun, navigational challenge at Mallards Pike using a simple map to find twelve Gruffalo markers hidden in the deep, dark wood.

If you're feeling competitive, choose to run, walk (or skip!) the course against the clock.

Before you begin the trail, pick up a Gruffalo orienteering leaflet with a certificate and map for just £1.50. These are available from the following:

From the cafe at Mallards Pike Call into our offices in Bank House, Coleford, GL16 8BA and buy from our reception Or you can call 0300 067 4800 and pay over the phone. We will post the pack out to you first class in the next post. An additional charge of £1.08 will be added to cover postage and packaging.

Please note that our reception and phone lines are open 9am - 3pm, Monday - Friday and all payments must be made by card.

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Running trails at Mallards Pike

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 to 10km and they all start from just beyond Go Ape.

2km Running Trail

Follow the grey waymarkers.

The perfect way to start your running journey, the 2km trail is a great route for beginners looking for a step up from the lakeside path.

The trail is wide with a stone surface underfoot. It heads out along the same route as the 3km and 5km routes, before turning left and returning along the Family Cycle Trail.

3km Running Trail

Follow the purple waymarkers.

The trail heads out into the forest, following the same route as the 5km. The route is gently undulating along forest roads. When you get to a junction, the 5km will turn left and the 3km will carry on up a short, narrow uphill section which can be muddy in wet weather. Once this is complete it is downhill for most of the journey back to the lake.

5km Running Trail

Follow for the pink waymarkers.

Our 5km trail follows forest roads with hard, solid surfaces. It heads out into the forest along the same route as the 3km trail, before carrying on gradually climbing uphill. The good news is, once you've reached the furthest point, it is mostly downhill all the way back!

10km Running Trail

Follow the turqoise waymarkers.

Looking for a challenge? Our 10km trail takes you away from the busy areas of the forest to more remote woodland. It feels like an adventure and you may even spot some local wildlife, such as deer.

The trail is mainly hard stone track, however some areas can become wet and muddy. Suitable running shoes are recommended.

All our trails share sections with other forest users, such as bicycles and horse riders.

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Watersports at Mallards Pike

Mallards Pike is the perfect place for an adventure on the water!

The lower lake can be booked by groups for canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding or raft building activities. Pre-booking for this is essential, anybody entering the water must have permission from Forestry England.

Please note: Individual boaters and swimming are not permitted - please do not swim in the lake or bring your own paddleboard/kayak etc. Only watersports under the guidance of our agreed partners is allowed.

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Family cycle trail at Mallards Pike

We have easy access to our Family Cycle Trail, just along the link path after the Go Ape Cabin.

Cyclists are politely asked to dismount around the picnic area and lakeside walking path.

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Nearby forests

Beechenhurst

Beechenhurst lies in the heart of the Forest of Dean, one of Britain's oldest and largest woodlands.

It is the ideal place for families to start their forest adventure, with a family activity trail, Sculpture Trail, play area and Go Ape Tree Top Adventure. You can even bring your bikes and access the wider forest on our Family Cycle Trail.

Find out more

Cannop Ponds

The site was originally home to the Severn and Wye Railway, which was constructed to allow exploitation of the mineral resources of the Forest of Dean.

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Symonds Yat Rock

Discover the ancient hill fort, spot birds of prey and enjoy a snack from the log cabin cafe.

There are waymarked trails linking to the River Wye and over the famous Biblins Bridge, or a choice of circular walks into the forest itself. There is also a cycling trail linking Forest Holidays and Camping in the Forest site at Bracelands to Symonds Yat Rock.

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Wenchford

Wenchford is a beautiful spot nestled deep within the forest with plenty of picnic tables and an easy access path

Blackpool Brook trickles through the site under the dappled shade of the large oak trees. The paddling area is the perfect place to cool down in the hot summer months.

The toilet facilities are open from April until the end of October. Parking charges only apply during this time.

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