City of Bath Athletic Club

Cotswold Way Relay



Stage 6 Route


Stage

Start Point

End Point

Distance

Ascent

Start Time

6

A419, South of Ebley Mill

Old Spot Inn, Dursley

9.3 miles

530 metres

13:00 hrs

Start Point

We start in the field south of the Blue Bridge by Ebley Mill on the Ebley by-pass (the A419). This is slightly repositioned from former years, as the new path, even with a Cotswold Way sign on it, ascends a ramp right by the traffic lights 50m to the East of the Blue Bridge. It is a farmer's field, normally with cattle. Low noise and keep closely together please.
Please be sure to arrive a reasonable period of time before the start for registration, preparation and briefing. The race will start without you.

Finish Point

The finish is at the Old Spot Inn, Hill Road, Dursley.

Parking

At Ebley Mill we really need you to park in the Sainsbury's Overflow Car Park on the A419 roundabout at Dudbridge. There is no parking at all at Ebley Mill. Definitely avoid parking on the A419 curb.

At Dursley there is a public Car Park by the Old Spot, but it can normally be relied upon to be full once a few relay cars have squeezed in. Please do not park on Hill Road as the runners need to get up there with the cluster of the start - your wing mirrors will not survive!

Former Years' Results

2004 Results

2005 Results

Forum

Add your comments to the Forum, and read others' clues and feedback. Click here

Race Profile

Glorious woodland running through the long Beech woods. But.... hilly. Say no more.

Race Route

Click here to view map

Description

Section 1

This first 2 mile section is not currently Cotswold Way, but is increasingly close to being formally adopted. There aresporadic signs in the ground. From the gate on the A419 bypass opposite the blue bridge by the traffic lights, head uphill tending slightly to the left. At the top of the field is a stile onto the minor road, where you turn into Bell Lane. Keep to the upper road which you follow to the right uphill past the Bell Inn. Through the gate / cattle grid at the top, then right into The Grove. After a short distance take the track to the left, and as this reduces to a path, keep in the slightly gullied path, all the way up to the 'long barrow'. Now maintain a SSW direction, gradually descending towards the neck of woodland gracing the slopes off the West side of the Common 500m ahead of you. Drop beneath the small quarry, and find the new gate/stile into the trees 50m down from the top of the woodland here.

The clear track descends down through Pen Wood, joining another at the bottom of a slope where you maintain a left course. Cross the tarmac track straight over, keep just inside the wood's edge on the path with the fence on your right hand. The Cotswold Way will eventually join you from the right after a few hundred metres, and at this point, turn left to maintain your southerly progress now on the Cotswold Way. Follow this as it curves through Pen Hill Wood, briefly opening into fields, then re-entering Stanley Wood with a climb. This is a long and enjoyable woodland section.

Section 2

At the end of Stanley Wood, once again in the open having passed the quarry, follow the path towards the topograph at Coaley Peak. Follow the track on the escarpment edge having turned away from the Car Park ahead of you by the Picnic tables. Having left the top of the escarpment, work through the narrow woodland past further quarries and up the stone steps, until finally you emerge on an uphill road. Progress uphill to your left and cross, watching out for traffic joining the road above you. Briefly follow the slip road on your right, and re-enter the woods after a few metres. Now head off steeply downhill into Coaley Wood on the right, staying on the meandering track. Keep going all the way downhill, paying particular attention at the point 75% of the way down where the track forks without signage. Take the right-hand downhill option.

Section 3

Take the steps to your left when you have descended down to the road and run 1000m back up to the road by Uley Bury. Turn right before Uley Bury, stretching those jolting legs downhill. Join the track around the farm and pond, looking forward to the obvious climb up Cam Long Down. Straight up, then stay on top heading West, then SW and down. In the saddle, adopt the new route as clearly shown here.

At the Market House, cross over then turn right into the pedestrian area. Left at the end and sprint to the finish.