Stinchcombe Hill Photo courtesy of Mrs A Limbrick
Korea Friendship Trail
Stinchcombe Hill – Cotswolds
This Cotswold Way circular walk is twinned with route 3 of the Jeju Olle Trail , South Korea , as a mark of friendship and international cooperation between our two countries . There are many similarities between the two routes and it is hoped that teaming up in this way will promote understanding and tourism on both sides . Jeju Olle is a series of walking routes on Jeju Island , 130km off the southwest coast of Korea . This beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site is almost subtropical in climate , its scenery passing from windswept coastline , through countless tangerine groves criss-crossed by distinctive stone walls , and up to the 6,400 foot peak of Hallasan
Following the Friendship Trail could not be simpler as it keeps to the Cotswold Way for its entire length . To make it even easier , a special marker disc has been added to selected Cotswold Way posts to mark the Friendship Trail and guide you round the route .
Distance : 3½ miles ( hill only route : 3 miles )
Duration : 2 - 2½ hours ( hill only : 1 ½ - 2 hours )
Difficulty : Moderate – firm surface , no stiles , one long steep ascent / descent ( Hill only : Easy – firm surface , no stiles , mostly level ).
The Old Spot Inn , Dursley Photo © Jaggery
2 At this point , the Cotswold Way splits in two . Ignoring the route to the right , follow the signs straight on across the golf course .
Stinchcombe Hill Golf Course
appears on signs for the trail in Korea . It is central to the Friendship Trail that a part of the Cotswold Way is signed with Jeju Olle markers , and in turn , a section of Route 3 of Jeju Olle will be marked with Cotswold Way signs . In the Jeju dialect , ‘ Ganse ’ also translates as ‘ lazy-bones ; this is no coincidence , as one of the main aims of Jeju Olle is to encourage people to slow down and appreciate the wonderful surroundings of the island at a slower pace .
5 After a short while following the signs , you emerge from a stand of trees out onto one of the most spectacular sights of the whole walk . It is well worth taking a few minutes here to make use of the bench and soak up the views .
Stop for a rest while taking in the views
6 After half a mile ( 0.8km ), you will find yourself at a stone cabin erected and maintained by the Stinchcombe Hill Trust - the perfect spot to shelter if the weather is less than perfect ! Follow the signs for another half a mile ( 0.8km )..
7 You will cross over the access road to Stinchcombe Hill House . For a short cut back to the car park ( point 4 / start B ) take the track to your right . To carry on the Friendship Trail and complete the loop , continue to follow the Cotswold Way all the way round and back to point 3 . From here retrace your steps back down to Dursley to finish the walk .
Even dogs appreciate the stunning views found here
WALKS
1 Start A : If you choose to start from Dursley , pick up the signs for the Cotswold Way on the corner of May Lane and Hill Road near the library and across the road from the Old Spot Inn . Head steeply up Hill Road for 200 metres until you reach a sharp bend to the left , and follow the Cotswold Way fingerpost straight on through the kissing gate into the woods . Carry straight on steeply up the track , until you emerge out onto Stinchcombe Hill next to a fingerpost between the golf clubhouse and car park .
3 At the next fingerpost , the Cotswold Way splits again in two . Ignore the path straight on through the woods , and continue to follow the Cotswold Way and Friendship Trail signs around to the right .
4 As breathtaking views begin to open up to your left , you will come upon a small blue sign next to a Cotswold Way marker post at the side of the car park . This figure , known as ‘ Ganse ’ and shaped like a Jeju pony , is a symbol of Jeju Olle and
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0
N
Roads
Route
Footpath
Way
Cotswold
Miles
0 Kms 0.5
7
Golf Course
6
Stinchcombe Hill
START B
4
5
Hollow Combe
Drakestone Point
0.5
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3 |
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Sheep Path Wood
Westfield Wood
Golf Club
2
Kingshill
START A
DURSLEY
Hill Road
A4135
1
May Lane
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Start B : If you prefer to travel by car and do not fancy the steep climb up from Dursley , start the walk at the car park in the centre of the hill . Picking up the route at point 4 , simply follow the signs clockwise all the way round the hill . Ignoring the route back to town , you will eventually end up back where you started . Spare a few minutes to consider how walking can bring people and landscapes together the world over , and how the experience is essentially the same whether you walk in the Cotswolds or Korea . Better still , follow the links from the Friendship Trail page on the Cotswold Way website and take a virtual tour of Jeju Olle - this wonderful trail is waiting to welcome you ! In the meantime , let your walk remind you that there is a corner of a foreign field that will remain forever Cotswolds . |
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the imjin SPRING 2021 15
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