Walking in the Wye Valley

Guidebook to 30 varied walks of 3 - 10 miles, in the valley of the Wye, the most scenic river in England and Wales, between Chepstow in the south and Plynlimon. Landscape ranges from open moorland to wooded gorges and is dotted with the sites of Iron Age hillforts and castles. Centres include Ross-on-Wye, Hereford, Hay-on-Wye and Rhayader.

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Overview

This guidebook describes 30 day walks set across the valley of the Wye river, the fourth-largest river in England and Wales, and certainly the most scenic.

The circular walks are centred around Chepstow, Monmouth, Ross-on-Wye, Hereford, Hay-on-Wye, Builth Wells and Rhayader. Every route description is accompanied by an annotated OS map, and range in length between 3 and 9 miles. The walks explore limestone gorges and soaring moorlands, ancient routes, border castles and Tintern Abbey.

Practical details such as the amount of ascent and timings information are included for every walk, as are details on public transport and parking facilities. Other useful information on the river's history, geology and wildlife ensure that this is an ideal companion to exploring the impressive range of walking the Wye Valley offers.

Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction
Geology and landscape
Plants and wildlife
The impact of man
Getting to and around the Wye Valley
Accommodation
When to go
What to take
Maps and waymarking
Using this guide
The Lower Wye: Chepstow to Ross-on-Wye
Walk 1 The Lancaut Peninsula
Walk 2 The Wyndcliff
Walk 3 The Devil’s Pulpit from the east
Walk 4 Tintern and the Angidy Valley
Walk 5 Trellech and Beacon Hill
Walk 6 The Kymin
Walk 7 King Arthur’s Cave and the Seven Sisters
Walk 8 Coppet Hill and Goodrich
The Middle Wye: Ross-on-Wye to Hay-on-Wye
Walk 9 Sellack and Hoarwithy
Walk 10 Capler Camp from Fownhope
Walk 11 Haugh Wood
Walk 12 Aconbury Hill
Walk 13 Breinton Springs
Walk 14 Black and White Weobley
Walk 15 Arthur’s Stone and Merbach Common
Walk 16 Kilvert’s Clyro
Upper Middle Wye: Hay-on-Wye to Newbridge-on-Wye
Walk 17 Talgarth and Llanelieu
Walk 18 The Begwns
Walk 19 Brechfa Pool
Walk 20 Llewellyn’s Cave and Aberedw Rocks
Walk 21 Llandeilo Hill and Twm Tobacco’s Grave
Walk 22 Builth and Banc-y-Celyn
Walk 23 Cors y Llyn
Walk 24 Shaky Bridge
The Upper Wye: Newbridge-on-Wye to Plynlimon
Walk 25 Above the Elan Valley reservoirs
Walk 26 Drygarn Fawr
Walk 27 Gilfach Farm
Walk 28 The Monks’ Trod
Walk 29 Llangurig to Llanidloes
Walk 30 Plynlimon and the source of the Wye

Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Useful contacts

Updates

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July 2020

Walk 15

Page 93 Paragraph 3

The tall and rickety stile at the top of the second field above Finestreet Farm has now been replaced by a galvanised gate

Page 96 Paragraph 1

There is a typo in line 5 – the red sandstone river-cliff is Brobury Scar (not Bosbury Scar)

July 2015

Route updates

Page 36 (Walk 3)

The northings and eastings for the grid reference for the start and finish of this walk were inadvertently transposed. The correct grid reference is ST 558 993.

Page 110 (Walk 19)

The path from the A470 to the edge of the woodland south-west of Boughrood Bridge has been extensively repaired by Powys County Council, with significant drainage works and improvements to the surfacing of the path. One suggestion is to use this path for the initial ascent at the start of the walk, and to descend through the buttercup fields at the end.

Page 42 (Walk 4) paragraph 4 in the printed edition.
States "....When this reaches a forest road ignore the path straight ahead..." and suggests a detour because the path " peters out". This is incorrect. Our reader walked that path on 14 February 2017 [today] and it is quite clear emerging at a farm by the bridge at Tintern Cross where the route continues straight ahead along the lane.

Reviews

"Alongside detailed route descriptions for every walk, are annotated OS maps, as well as key information on timing, distance, ascent, where to park and public transport access. In addition, the guidebook provides a range of advice on getting to and around the Wye Valley, where to stay and what to take to make the most out of your walks. The information on the geology, history and points of interest along the way are designed to enhance any walk, whether its a full day in the Upper Wye’s Cambrians or a leisurely valley wander. The result is an ideal companion to exploring the impressive range of walking the Wye Valley can offer."

Read the full review on the Tintern Village site.

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