- On trail 7.5 mi 12.1 km
- Walking time 3–4 h
- Ascent 410 m 1,350 ft
- Descent 250 m 800 ft
- Difficulty Hard
Belas Knap, the drop through Breakheart, and the climb to the highest point.
Section 4: Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill map
Cross-check: National Trails route description . Opened 22 October 2026. The distance at the top of this page is measured on the imported line. The route page's miles, and the climb it prints for the section, stay in the answers below.
The walk
The path leaves Winchcombe through the Sudeley estate and climbs to Belas Knap, the Neolithic long barrow. It then drops steeply through Breakheart Plantation and climbs again. The route page ends the section at the golf club house on Cleeve Hill. That hill is the highest point on the Way, 330 m (1,080 ft). Eat in Winchcombe. The common south of the club house is the next section.
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Start of section
Winchcombe
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Belas Knap
The Neolithic long barrow on the first climb, through the Sudeley estate. It is the old ground on this section, before the wood.
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Breakheart Plantation
A steep drop after the barrow, then the path climbs again. That second climb is why the night on the longer plans is the high ground, not the town.
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Highest point
Cleeve Hill
330 m (1,080 ft), and the route page ends the section at the golf club house. The longer plans sleep on this hill. The common to the south is the next section.
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End of section
Cleeve Hill
Section 4: Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill overview
The ground
- Steep climb
- Long barrow
- Plantation
The big climb of the north: up to the barrow, down through the plantation, up again. The sections before this one are shorter climbs. South of Cleeve Hill the Way stays high across the common, with less ascent and a long descent to the reservoir.
Stops
Refreshments
- Winchcombe before you climb. The golf club house is the end named on the route page
Toilets
- The route page does not name a public toilet on this section
Before you go
Opposite direction
Cleeve Hill to Winchcombe
You leave the highest point and drop through Breakheart Plantation, so the last climb becomes a descent. Belas Knap is the barrow on the way down to Winchcombe.
End of section
Winchcombe
Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill FAQ
How long is Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill?
The route page lists 5.6 miles (9 km), ending at the golf club house, with 1,082 feet (330 m) of ascent and 476 feet (145 m) of descent. The distance at the top of this page is measured to the Cleeve Hill place the nights use, which sits further along the hill than that club house.
Is Cleeve Hill the night?
On the 4-day, the 7-day, the 8-day and the 9-day, yes. Eat in Winchcombe before the climb. The 5-day sleeps in Winchcombe and walks through Cleeve Hill on the way to Birdlip.
Can I download a GPX for Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill?
Yes. Use the GPX button at the top of this page. It is this section's line, for Garmin, Komoot, or your phone. Open the planner if you want a file built around your overnight stops.
Walk this as a day
Ends Day 2 on the 9-day. Open the planner on that preset, then export a full-trip or per-day GPX.
Open in planner Read the 9-day itinerary
Full-trip and per-day GPX files. Free, no account.
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