At a glance
Bear Hill
- Distance
- 3 miles
- Estimated time
- 1.5 hours
- Route type
- Circular
- GPS app guided
- Yes
- Parking
- Roadside 51.71329, -2.21707
- Characteristics
- Woodland, Hills, Countryside, Viewpoints, Nature, Pub
Gloucestershire Walks
Bear Hill Walk & Route Map
The Bear Hill walk is a rewarding and energetic outing in Gloucestershire, perfect for walkers who enjoy a mix of open views, woodland paths and a bit of a challenge.
Starting out on Minchinhampton Common, you’ll often share the landscape with freely grazing cattle before heading north past the Bear of Rodborough, where sweeping valley views really set the tone for the walk. The route then drops into peaceful woodland, guiding you along nature-rich trails before finishing with a steep but satisfying climb.
The final stretch brings you past the The Black Horse Inn, an excellent place to pause for well-earned refreshments while soaking up more spectacular views across the valley from the pub garden.
Download the Gloucestershire Walks App to follow this route with real-time GPS navigation.
The walk
Bear Hill
This is a wonderful and energetic walk offering stunning views and diverse scenery. The journey begins on Minchinhampton Common, where you'll often encounter cattle grazing freely.
Heading north, you'll pass the Bear of Rodborough Hotel, where you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the valley.
The route then descends into woodland, guiding you along nature-filled paths. Towards the end, you'll face a steep climb that leads past The Black Horse pub, an ideal spot for refreshments.
From the pub and its garden, you can enjoy spectacular views across the valley.
Refreshments:
The Black Horse Inn, Amberley
The Bear of Rodborough, Rodborough Common
Based on 16 user ratings
Community feedback
Overall rating4.5
An outstanding walk
Very dog friendly
Generally well maintained
Not suitable for pushchairs
Not wheelchair accessible
Very limited facilities
Quite good
Spot on
Real feedback from people who have completed this walk using the Gloucestershire Walks app.
First-hand experiences
User reviews
Walker review
Loved this walk. Incredible views.We stopped at The Bear at Rodborough for great coffee and ice cream, then got a little lost from there. Luckily we had OS map app too. Finished up with a pint of real ale in the pub in Amberley.
Walker review
Beautiful walk. Can join walk with the rodborough common walk. Lovely ice cream at winstones afterwards. Some inclines.
Walker review
Not dog friendly due to the barbed wire fences in the wood. Took babies in baby carriers and there were points that were very difficult to navigate with a baby!
Walker review
We did the walk in reverse which meant it was never too steep loved the walk and so did my dog
Walker review
I actually walked it in reverse, but still good to do. A little slippy underfoot walking down the first steep path, due to damp conditions.
Walker review
Very pretty walk with a short steep climb at the end. One narrow style. 2 great pubs. Lovely views. Great for dogs. Only a few short strethces on quiet country roads.
Walker review
Great walk through woods and over commons. Cattle about except in winter. Winstones Ice Cream just over the road from the Bear (75 yds).
Walker review
Brilliant walk with lots of view points. Second half was very quiet even on a lively sunny day. The hill at the end was a bit of a killer but anle to recover at the pub at the top.
Comments from walkers who have completed the Bear Hill walk.
Navigate the walks
Gloucestershire Walks App
Follow the Bear Hill walk with GPS guidance
The easiest way to follow this route is with the Gloucestershire Walks app. Choose the walk and follow the pointer showing your live position on the route map, so you can see you're on the right path.
The app works without a phone signal, so you can keep following the route wherever the walk takes you.
Download the app
Designed to be simple
- Choose a walk and follow the pointer
- See your live position on the route map
- Works without a phone signal
- Includes 200 Gloucestershire walks
- Free one-month trial
- Available for iPhone and Android
Explore the area
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