The official guidebook to walking the Wye Valley Walk, from the river’s source on the slopes of Plynlimon through the countryside of the Wales–England border region to Chepstow. Covering 219km (136 miles), this straightforward trail takes around 10 days to hike.

The route is described from north to south in 17 stages of between 8 and 20km (5–12 miles). An extra stage from Llanidloes to the start of the trail is also included.

• Contains step-by-step description of the route alongside 1:50,000 OS maps
• Refreshment and public transport information given for each route stage
• Stage facilities table and route summary table help you plan your itinerary
• GPX files available to download
• Notes on the region’s history and local points of interest

Overview map

Overview profile

Map key

Route summary table

Stage facilities table

Preface by Kate Humble

Introduction

The Wye Valley Walk

History of the Wye Valley Walk

The route

About the Wye Valley

Landscape and history

The Welsh language

The River Wye

Wildlife and nature recovery

Planning your trip

When to walk

Which way to walk?

Planning the walk

Getting to and from the route

Transport along the route

Where to stay

Food and drink

Preparing for the Walk

What to take

Planning day by day

Using this guide

Maps

Waymarking

The rights of way network

Walking with dogs

Phones and emergencies

Wye Valley Walk Passport

Report a problem

The Wye Valley Walk

Prologue Reaching the start of the walk

Stage 1 Rhyd-y-benwch to Llangurig

Stage 2 Llangurig to Rhayader

Stage 3 Rhayader to Newbridge

Stage 4 Newbridge to Builth Wells

Stage 5 Builth Wells to Erwood

Stage 6 Erwood to Glasbury

Stage 7 Glasbury to Hay-on-Wye

Stage 8 Hay-on-Wye to Bredwardine

Stage 9 Bredwardine to Byford

Stage 10 Byford to Hereford

Stage 11 Hereford to Fownhope

Stage 12 Fownhope to Ross-on-Wye

Stage 13 Ross-on-Wye to Kerne Bridge

Stage 14 Kerne Bridge to Symonds Yat

Stage 15 Symonds Yat to Monmouth

Stage 16 Monmouth to Tintern

Stage 17 Tintern to Chepstow

Appendix A Tourist information and useful contacts

Appendix B Walking holiday companies and baggage transfer

Appendix C Where to collect your passport stamps

Appendix D Reporting a problem on a right of way

Appendix E Further reading

Appendix F Selected accommodation options

Seasons

Accessible at all times of the year but spring is best for watching birdlife and spring flowers, autumn shows the woods at their best and winter widens the views. The walk can be muddy during rainy spells and the river can flood, making certain stretches impassable.

Centres

Rhayader, Builth Wells, Hay on Wye, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye, Monmouth, Chepstow

Difficulty

The Wye Valley Walk has some hilly sections but is suitable for any reasonably fit walker.

Must See

Plynlimon, Hafren Forest, Hay on Wye, Hereford Cathedral, Goodrich Castle, Symonds Yat, Tintern Abbey, Angidy Valley, Chepstow Castle

The Walk is separated into 17 convenient stages covered by individual maps. Route-finding information is included as well as information about features of interest along the way. Although the route is waymarked in both directions, this guidebook describes the walk from south to north.

A great deal of effort has been made by Rights of Way officers on the Wye Valley Walk in waymarking, providing stiles, gates and signs. However, signs can be casualties of weather or vandalism and their absence may create confusion. The route is as detailed as possible, and for most of the way walkers should find it easy to navigate using the book and map as occasional reference. Please go properly prepared with the appropriate Ordnance Survey maps and refer to the section on safe walking below.

Large-scale maps of each stage of the Walk are based on the 1:25,000 scale Ordnance Survey Explorer series. Please use the relevant ones to accompany the guide when you are walking.

The full list of current OS Explorer (1:25,000) and Landranger (1:50,000) maps covering the route is as follows:

Explorer OL14 Wye Valley & Forest of Dean
Explorer 189 Hereford & Ross-on-Wye
Explorer 202 Leominster & Bromyard
Explorer 201 Knighton & Presteigne
Explorer OL13 Brecon Beacons National Park
Explorer 188 Builth Wells
Explorer 200 Llandrindod Wells & Elan Valley
Explorer 214 Llanidloes & Newtown
Landranger 162 Gloucester & Forest of Dean
Landranger 149 Hereford & Leominster
Landranger 147 Elan Valley & Builth Wells
Landranger 136 Newtown & Llanidloes

October 2025

Stage 14 diversion

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