The Wye Valley Walk

The Wye Valley Walk is a long distance national trail which follows the course of the River Wye from its source in mid-Wales to its confluence with the River Severn at Chepstow in Monmouthshire.

Whether you are looking for a pleasant afternoon stroll, weekend break, or a 2 week walking holiday then the Wye Valley Walk is well worth considering. This beautiful 136 mile (218km) trail criss-crosses the border between England and Wales and includes some of the most beautiful scenery in Britain.

The walk is waymarked with the distinctive leaping salmon logo.

The following are the main sections of the Wye Valley Walk in our area:

1. Chepstow to Monmouth

Distance: 16-17 miles (25-27km)
High point: 230m (760ft) Upper Wyndcliffe

This section of the walk is almost entirely made up of paths through woodland along the celebrated lower Wye gorge emerging to viewpoints at Wyndcliffe and Whitestone. The walk also visits some attractive villages, most notably Tintern with its famous abbey. The last few miles of the walk drop to the river, leaving the woods to follow the grassy banks of the Wye into Monmouth town.

2. Monmouth to Ross-on-Wye

Distance: 17-18 miles (27-29km)
High point: 196m (647ft) Chase Wood

Starting in open fields this is an almost entirely level stretch of riverside walking following the meanders of the Wye and passing under the spectacular limestone cliffs and woodlands of the upper Wye gorge. The walk passes through glorious Symonds Yat with its riverside pubs, boat trips and canoeists. Then, at just over half way to Ross-on-Wye there’s an abrupt change of pace, the path climbing through steeply wooded hills and narrow valleys around Leys Hill and Howle Hill, before dropping into Ross-on-Wye from the heights of Chase Hill.

3. Ross-on-Wye to Hereford

Distance: 17-18 miles (27-29km)
High point: 180m (594ft) Capler Camp

Another Jekyll and Hyde stretch going from pastoral riverside walking to a hilly up and down scramble through a patchwork of woodlands and fields forming part of the Woolhope Dome. There are also traditional Herefordshire orchards, black and white villages and mellow sandstone buildings. The final section of the walk follows the Wye floodplain into the city of Hereford, dominated by its fine cathedral.

More information:

The Long Distance Walkers Association has an interactive Ordnance Survey map here.

The Wye Valley Walk Partnership has information here too.