If you fancy some thrills and spills during your stay, then Go Ape is probably just the place for you. Each of Go Ape’s sites is different and the Forest of Dean is lucky to have not just one, but two of them! So get in touch with your inner-adventurer and hit their Beechenhurst or Mallards Pike sites for hours of fun.
The magnificent Forest of Dean is one of the country’s largest oak forests. It was once King Henry VIII’s hunting forest, as well as being an inspiration for Tolkien’s stories. Go Ape’s first location at Beechenhurst is sandwiched between the Rivers Severn and Wye. You’ll find the Forest of Dean Treetop Adventure course here, where all ages (as long as you are at least 1m tall) can enjoy some fun.
Cross the perilous Stepping Stone and Button Bridges, find your feet on three different crossing loops and then enjoy flying through the forest on a double zip wire. Younger adventurers will love the wobbly bridges, intricate crossings and the thrill of the zip wire.
While you’re at Beechenhurst, make the most of your day with a walk along the famous Sculpture Trail, which is approximately 4 miles in length. You’ll see a range of intriguing sculptures created by artists inspired by the magical forest landscape.
If you’ve worked up an appetite during your visit, head to Beechenhurst Lodge Visitor Centre. Sitting at the start of the Sculpture Trail and family cycle track, the family-run café offers a wide selection of locally sourced, hot and cold food. There’s a children’s play area right next to the café too.
Just 15 minutes’ drive away, you’ll discover Go Ape’s Mallards Pike site. It features the more challenging Treetop Challenge – the Goliath of high ropes adventures. For the ultimate adrenaline rush, you can adjust the difficulty of the high ropes course each time you complete a lap; climb the tricky Mallards Ladder and use all your core strength to wobble across The Stirrups. Platform heights reach a maximum of 15m above the ground and the longest zip wire is 180m. The minimum age for the Treetop Challenge is 10 years old (1.4m height).
In addition to the Treetop Challenge, you can jump aboard an all-terrain Segway for an off-road tour through the forest. The quiet electric motors will allow you to get closer to nature; you may even spot a shy deer or wild boar. After your adventure, enjoy a walk by Mallards Pike Lake and stop off in the café to refuel. You’ll find BBQs by the lake if you fancy cooking up your own lunch.
Book online for Go Ape at Beechenhurst or at Mallards Pike.
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Images copyright Go Ape.
