4 Walks in the Wonderful Wye Valley
The Wye Valley (Dyffryn Gwy) is a paradise for walkers in every season. Straddling both Wales and England, the Valley follows the River Wye, which, at 215km long, is the fifth-longest river in the United Kingdom. Whether your interests lie in sightseeing, historical monuments, wildlife spotting, or just a good countryside ramble, the Wye Valley has walking routes to suit you.
The walks below represent a sample of some of the possible guided routes you could take on our Winter Walking Festival - The Wye Valley sociable walking weekend event.
Symonds Yat
Symonds Yat is a beautiful and popular village located in a deeply wooded gorge on a gentle bend in the River Wye. The village shares its name to one of the Wye Valley’s most iconic landscape features: Symonds Yat Rock. The Rock provides a panoramic view of the spectacular gorge through which the river winds - it’s a real breath-taker and probably the area’s most photographed vista. It’s also a great spot for birders: a pair of peregrine falcons nest near the top of the rock each year, and buzzards, goshawks and hobbies are regularly spotted too.
The area around Symonds Yat is one of the finest areas for walking in the country, with the climb up Symonds Yat Rock being bucket-list material for seekers of the UK’s best most picturesque views. While you are closer to the water, keep an eye out for some of the area’s wild mammals, including otters, mink and water voles.
Best for: Getting a higher perspective of one of the UK’s most beautiful valley views and checking out the bird life.Tintern Abbey to Chepstow Castle
Falling into ruin after Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries, Tintern Abbey has been a popular tourist destination in Wales since way back in the 18th century. Immortalised in poetry and paintings, including stunning watercolours by Turner, Tintern’s haunting, romantic appeal makes it a brilliant stopping place on a walk in the Wye Valley.
Departing south from Tintern, you’ll follow the course of the river through lovely woodlands, past craggy ridges and several Iron-Age hill-forts, before arriving at the delightful town of Chepstow. You’ll enter the town via a bridge over the Wye, offering spectacular views of the valley and Chepstow Castle, a magnificent cliff-top fortress. Construction began in 1067, a year after the Battle of Hastings, making it one of the oldest Norman strongholds in the United Kingdom. Wonderfully looked-after, the Castle has been used for numerous film and TV projects over the years, including Doctor Who.
There are plenty of things to do in Chepstow as well, including walking around Chepstow Port Wall and perusing independent boutiques on the High Street.
Best for: Discovering the area’s rich history and taking some epic, moody photos.
3. Chase Wood and Ross-on-Wye
This delightful circuitous walk is a great all-rounder for a good morning amble, taking in three completely different landscapes: the riverbank of the River Wye, Chase Wood on its craggy hill, complete with an Iron-Age hill-fort, and the picturesque town of Ross-on-Wye.
Chase Wood rises to 660ft (201m), towering over the valley and nearby town. It’s little wonder this was a hugely important defensive site in the past, and it’s covered in ancient earthworks that suggest more than 1,400 may have once lived on the hill. Today, it’s a lovely, peaceful spot for walking at that just-right level of exertion. In recent years, there’s been reports of sightings of wild boars rooting around the woodland - they’re an incredibly secretive species here, so keep your eyes peeled!
Found at the foot of Chase Hill, Ross-on-Wye is a beautiful, bustling market town located in a stunning spot on the river. With records of tourism dating back 250 years, the town has had plenty of time to develop its excellent hospitality, shopping and food offerings, making it a brilliant stop on your walk.
Best for: Peaceful forest walking and stopping for lunch or cake and tea.
4. The Wye Valley Walk and Offa’s Dyke Path
Setting off from the historic town of Monmouth (Trefynwy), this winding Rivery Wye circular walk is a year-round treat. Monmouth is renowned as the birthplace of Henry V, lead character in the eponymous Shakespeare play and most recently portrayed by Timothée Chalamet in the Netflix film The King. Departing the town to the south, you’ll meander through woodlands, old railway lines, and riverside fields. Crossing the river at Bigsweir Bridge, a great place to pause and take in the beautiful riverscape, you’ll make your way back in the direction you came via a more hilly route.
This section sees you tramping along a section of Offa’s Dyke Path (in England now - the river demarcates the Wales-England border). Offa’s Dyke was constructed in the 8th century by the Anglo Saxon king Offa, probably to separate his kingdom from what is now Wales. Today, it’s one of the UK’s finest long-distance trails and is a fantastic one to dip into at various points, as you will today. Watch out for wildlife in the beautiful broadleaf woodlands, which is full of life even in deepest winter. Passing through the small riverside village of Redbrook, a historically important industrial centre with old mills, iron, tin, and copper works, is an interesting late-walk calling point.
Best for: Experiencing two different ways to follow the Wye Valley - from the riverside and along the raised Offa’s Dyke Path.
If you’re feeling inspired to put on your walking boots and discover the magical Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) yourself, why not join us on our Winter Walking Festival - Wye Valley Way social walking weekend?