Explore the Wye Valley with five of the best short walks

Discover the beauty of the Wye Valley, widely considered the most beautiful river valley in England and Wales, with five of the best short walks showcasing its riverside trails, ancient woodlands, and charming villages like Hay-on-Wye and Ross-on-Wye. Perfect for weekend explorers, families, and casual walkers, these routes offer inspiring scenery, easy access, and practical options for those looking to enjoy a rewarding outdoor experience without committing to a full-day hike around key towns and villages.

15 Short Walks in the Wye Valley

£9.95

Discover 15 of the best short walks around the Wye Valley. Each walk comes with easy-to-read Ordnance Survey maps, clear route description and lots of images, plus information on local beauty spots and tasty refreshment stops. No challenging terrain or complicated navigation means walks can be enjoyed by everyone.

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The best walk from Ross-on-Wye...

What: Ross-on-Wye and Wilton
Summary: A historic market town, an easy riverside walk and a medieval bridge and castle
Start/finish: Market House, Ross-on-Wye
Time: 2hr
Distance: 5.8km (3.6 miles)
Climb: 50m

The countryside immediately south-west of Ross-on-Wye provides a varied walk, starting with the town’s church precinct and magnificent views over the river from the open space of The Prospect. Riverside walking follows, alongside the shallow Wye with its gravel beds, followed by the medieval castle and bridge in Wilton and a stretch of riverside parkland enlivened by superb sculptures.

The best walk to visit the classic lowland of the Wye Valley...

What: Sellack Boat and Hoarwithy
Summary: An easy and popular walk through classic English lowland scenery, visiting three quite different villages
Start/finish: King’s Caple church
Time: 2hr 45min
Distance: 8k.2m (5.1 miles)
Climb: 125m

This classic and well-used route on clear footpaths and country lanes goes from King’s Caple, with its castle motte, to the ornate pedestrian suspension bridge over the River Wye at Sellack Boat. This is followed by riverside walking below Castlemeadow Wood, a superb path above Red Rail and past the shrunken hamlet of Llanfrother, and finally the remarkable Italianate church at Hoarwithy.

The best walk to see wildlife...

What: Brilley and Whitney Court
Summary: Excellent paths, wide views across the Wye valley and a fine nature reserve
Start/finish: Brilley church
Time: 2hr
Distance: 5.9km (3.7 miles)
Climb: 145m

Taking the Herefordshire Trail from Brilley church, this outstanding route uses a succession of well-marked woodland paths to reach the parkland of the Whitney Court estate, just outside of Whitney-on-Wye, with extensive views across the Wye valley. It then cuts through the Brilley Dingle Nature Reserve and climbs an ancient sunken lane to return to Brilley.

Views of Black Mountains — The northern ridge of the Black Mountains seen from Cusop Hill

The best walk whilst visiting Hay-on-Wye...

What: Cusop Hill
Summary: A remarkable churchyard, an exhilarating climb to a quiet summit with an all-round panorama, and an attractive valley
Start/finish: Lychgate at Cusop churchyard
Time: 2hr 15min
Distance: 6.4km (4 miles)
Climb: 250m

Cusop is very close to Hay-on-Wye but seems a world away from the bustling book town. The churchyard is full of surprises, and this walk is well signposted and generally easy, though with a sustained climb to reach the summit slopes of Cusop Hill. There is an attractive descent into Cusop Dingle, once a hive of industry but now a quiet hamlet alongside a rippling brook.

The best walk in the foothills of the Black Mountains...

What: Common Bychan and Rhos Fawr
Summary: Quiet lanes and superb green tracks across upland commons in the shadow of the Black Mountains
Start/finish: Nant-y-Gollen, south of Felindre
Time: 3hr
Distance: 8.8km (5.5 miles)
Climb: 270m

This is a wonderful walk in the Black Mountain foothills, crossing three upland commons with abundant birdlife, including yellowhammers and stonechats. Wild ponies roam Rhos Fawr, the largest common, while the church at Llanelieu is fascinating, with a highly unusual medieval rood screen. The return to the little village of Felindre is intricate but well signposted, and includes sheep pastures, open woodland and buttercup meadows.

All these walks (plus 10 more!) are included in our guidebook to 15 Short Walks — Wye Valley. Other highlights include Merbach Hill from Bredwardine, Breinton Orchards, Rhydspence and Red Lane and Mordiford and Joan’s Hill. Easy-to-read maps and clear route descriptions make these walks perfect for beginners and families. No specialist gear is needed, and each route includes information on facilities, parking, and highlights.