Disconnect and Reset: 3 easy hikes and trails around Bristol to do this summer | Blog

For us students spending the summer in Bristol, the city can feel a lot quieter as most of our friends and peers go back home. With all this free time it can be quite tempting to spend a lot of time online or scrolling on social media, trust me I know the feeling. You pick up your phone to check one message then somehow 20 videos later you’ve fallen into a rabbit hole of memes, bad news and endless updates, and before you know it most of the day has disappeared. Summer brings along that rare opportunity for us students to slow down, no lectures or deadlines hanging over our heads, but if we aren't careful that freedom can quickly turn into hours spent indoors looking at a screen. But this summer I want to encourage you to go touch some grass, your mind and body deserve it after all the hard work you put in this past academic year; and it will surely be grateful that you took the time to disconnect and refresh your mind before classes start back up again.

Spending time in nature is the ultimate way to reset, it can help regulate your internal clock and reduce stress through natural light exposure and sensory grounding. It is essentially the opposite of the artificial dopamine and information overload caused by being online. Some ways to do this include going on walks/hikes, doing activities or reading outside, or simply resting on the grass and soaking in the nature around you. I strongly recommend doing a new trail/ or an easy hike, as it combines both the peaceful reset in nature and the adventure of exploring a new scenery.

In this blog I want to recommend some fun and scenic trails around the city of Bristol, you don't actually have to go too far for an adventure, as these places are within an hour's distance of the city.

Cheddar Gorge

Distance: ~32 km from Bristol city centre (approx. 40-minute drive)
The Route: A 4-mile circular trail taking roughly 2.5 to 3 hours to complete.

Cheddar Gorge is perfect if you want to admire dramatic views without needing to travel far from Bristol. It’s England's largest gorge, home to some insane panoramic views and beautiful limestone cliffs. I found the trail was quite straight forward and made sure to stop many times along the way to rest, take in my surroundings, and observe the wildlife. When I reached the top of the viewpoint I was in awe at how such an amazing place like that sits just 40 minutes from Bristol.

The circular trail measures approximately 4 miles and takes around 2.5-3 hours to complete, but you can do your own route if you’d like- which is what I started off with then eventually joined the trail. The route includes some uneven, rocky paths and exposed cliff edges, so make sure to wear comfortable and sturdy shoes, and be careful if it's a windy day. Along the way, you can spot soaring birds, lots of goats, and plenty of wildflowers during the spring and summer season. Aside from the trail, there’s a lovely scenic little town packed with souvenir shops, cafes and pubs. This was a perfect end to my day at Cheddar Gorge and I would definitely recommend taking your time to look around, chill out and have a drink after your hike.

Forest of Dean

Distance: ~53 km from Bristol city centre.
The Route: Easy, flexible walking or cycling paths leading toward Wye Valley viewpoints.

The Forest of Dean is a completely different vibe to Cheddar Gorge. It is a more relaxed walk that takes you through a beautiful ancient forest and extends towards a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Wye Valley. I’d say the Forest of Dean is the ultimate sensory reset, the grounding textures, melodic sounds of birds, the earthy scent of trees and moss lingering in the breeze, hints of wildflowers drifting beneath the ancient trees. I would go back every day if I could just to experience the restorative serenity of this forest. This easy and peaceful trail, and can be made by walking or cycling. If you plan to rent a bicycle make sure to call and book in advance so you can secure it. Not far from the viewpoint there is the Symonds Yat Rock cafe, an intriguing and picturesque log cafe which is the perfect stop before or after you visit the viewpoint. After I completed the walk I ended the afternoon sitting by the river at The Saracens Head Inn which has a lovely pub that sits on the East bank of the River Wye on the edge of the forest.

Old Sneed park

Distance: ~6.5 km from Bristol city centre
The Route: Gentle, flat nature reserve walking paths.

You might have read one of our other blogs about Old Sneed Park, but if not, I'd like to emphasise how it’s also another ideal location to reset and spend time in nature. And it's actually right within Bristol so you don’t have to go far at all. This lovely nature reserve is a simple and peaceful trail accompanied by ancient meadows, wildlife and a tranquil lake. If this sounds like the kind of scenery you need then check out our blog on Old Sneed park for more insight!

Disconnect to Reconnect

You don't need a fancy holiday or a huge budget to refresh your mind this summer. Grab a water bottle, put on a comfortable pair of shoes, invite a friend (or go solo with a good podcast), and give your brain the screen-free break it deserves.

Happy exploring!