The lake at Mallards Pike in the Forest of Dean, with trees along the shore

Where to go · Gloucestershire

Forest bathing at Mallards Pike

A Forest of Dean lake with a gentle loop path, and longer woodland routes when you want more time among trees.

Mallards Pike is a lake in the Forest of Dean, run by Forestry England, in a woodland setting. It is a good choice if you want water as well as trees: the path around the lake is about 2km and gentle, so you can walk slowly, stop often and never be far from the car park. Longer running and walking routes of up to about 10km head off through the surrounding woodland.

Most people stay close to the café and the lake shore, so for quiet time walk the loop away from the car park end, or take one of the woodland trails. There is an easy access trail, and an all-terrain mobility scooter can be hired. The site is open daily from early morning. Swimming and personal water sports are not allowed on the lake.

Practical

Managed by
Forestry England
Parking
Pay and display; Forestry England members park free
Terrain
Gentle lakeside loop of about 2km; longer woodland trails
Nearest station
Lydney, about 15 minutes by car
Facilities
Toilets (including accessible toilet with baby change), café, easy access trail, mobility scooter hire
Opening and entry
Free entry; open daily from 8am except Christmas Day, closing time varies by season
Official page
forestryengland.uk

Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.

Guides nearby

Three guides within 15 miles of Mallards Pike

More woodlands in Gloucestershire

All venues in Gloucestershire
The Cotswold Way path through beech trees in Buckholt Wood, near CranhamCranham and Buckholt WoodsTall Cotswold beechwoods above Cranham, with bluebells in May and fungi in autumnTrees in a corner of the Cyril Hart Arboretum near the Speech House, Forest of DeanCyril Hart ArboretumOver 200 tree species on mostly flat paths beside the Speech HouseWoodland on the Sculpture Trail at Beechenhurst, Forest of DeanForest of DeanA former royal forest and England's first National Forest Park, with quiet tracks beyond the car parks

Photos: Cranham and Buckholt Woods, Bill Boaden (CC BY-SA 2.0); Cyril Hart Arboretum, don cload (CC BY-SA 2.0); Forest of Dean, Nilfanion (CC BY-SA 4.0).