Cleeve Hill along the Cotswold Way up Cleeve Hill: route map, distance and time
330 m · Central and Eastern England · OS grid SO996245
Cleeve Hill is the highest point of the Cotswolds and the county top of Gloucestershire, a broad limestone common above Cheltenham with the Cotswold Way along its edge.
Follow the Cotswold Way along the escarpment, then cross the common east to the high point by the masts. Grass and stony tracks the whole way.
Cleeve Hill along the Cotswold Way at a glance
| Distance | 3.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 138 m |
| Time up | 0h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Easy |
| Start | Cleeve Hill common car park |
| Start grid reference | SO 980 265 |
| Summit grid reference | SO996245 |
Cleeve Hill along the Cotswold Way map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long the Cleeve Hill along the Cotswold Way takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 40m | 1h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 0h 50m | 1h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 0m | 1h 45m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:37, sunset 18:08. Start by 15:43 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:39, sunset 18:06. Start by 15:41 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Cleeve Hill summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Cleeve Hill right now. The main Cleeve Hill page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Cleeve Hill forecast.
About Cleeve Hill
Cleeve Hill is the highest point of the Cotswolds and the county top of Gloucestershire, a broad limestone common above Cheltenham with the Cotswold Way along its edge. More about Cleeve Hill, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Marilyn, historic county top, county top.
Challenges that include Cleeve Hill
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SO 980 265, the summit at SO996245), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Cleeve Hill along the Cotswold Way: questions and answers
How far is the Cleeve Hill along the Cotswold Way?
The Cleeve Hill along the Cotswold Way is 3.0 km one way to the summit of Cleeve Hill, with 138 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.0 km.
How long does the Cleeve Hill along the Cotswold Way take?
About 0h 50m to the summit of Cleeve Hill and 1h 25m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 1h 45m for the round trip.
Where do you park for the Cleeve Hill along the Cotswold Way?
The Cleeve Hill along the Cotswold Way starts from Cleeve Hill common car park. The grid reference is SO 980 265.
Is the Cleeve Hill along the Cotswold Way suitable for beginners?
Yes. Peakify grades it Easy: a fit beginner can walk it on a clear day. Take a map, warm layers and waterproofs all the same.
What time should I start the Cleeve Hill along the Cotswold Way today?
By 15:43 at the latest. Sunset on Cleeve Hill today is 18:08, The Cleeve Hill along the Cotswold Way takes about 1h 25m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for the Cleeve Hill along the Cotswold Way?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).