Wye Valley Walk
222 km / 138 miles
A walk following the banks of the river for most of its length but including some hill climbing, it passes Lovers Leap and Tintern Abbey. Several vantage points are achieved before crossing over the Wye at Redbrook to continue along the riverside to Monmouth.
The route then meanders on to pass English Bichnor, Welsh Bicknor and Goodrich Castle then leaves the Wye to go across country to Ross-on-Wye before reaching Hereford. Passing cider orchards, parkland and farmland, the Walk continues via Bredwardine, Merbach Hill, Hay-on-Wye, Builth Wells and Newbridge to Rhayader and now extended a further 24 miles, beyond Llangurig towards the source of the Wye on the slopes of Plynlimon, (image courtesy of Wye Valley AONB) eventually turning to meet the Severn Way in Hafren Forest, which route can be followed east to reach transport at Llanlidloes.
While not part of the marked route, the source can be reached on Access Land. Explorer maps 201 and 202 are advised as they give better coverage of areas north of the route from OL 13 and 189.
In 2007 a significant re-launch of the route has been completed with new signs, better way-marking and a new website with interactive maps of the route and comprehensive information about accommodation, transport and a new Passport scheme for completers.
The diversion on the path at the Southern end of the walk at Chepstow has now been removed and the path is open. Renovation works have been carried out on the path and viewpoints along Piercefield Walk through the Overlooking the Wye Partnership project
Details:
| Path Type: | Paths Marked on OS mapping | |
| Waymark: | Leaping salmon on named disc | |
| Attributes: | Forest/Woodland; River; Moorland; Heritage | |
| Start: | ST533942 - Chepstow Castle, Mons  |
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| Finish: | SN857869 - Rhyd-y-Benwch Car park, Hafren Forest, Powys |
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| Web Sites: | Wye Valley Walk - Website | |
| Powys Council LDPs | ||
| Passport Scheme |
Publications, Badges and Certificates:
| Paperback: | Wye Valley Walk: Official Route Guide 2nd Edn (Powys County Council - 2003) |
| Paperback: | Wye Valley Walk (Aurum Press - 1998) |
| Paperback: | Wye Valley Walk (Cicerone Press - September 2011) |
| Leaflet: | Wye Valley Walk - Source to Rhayader (Powys County Council) |
| Hardback: | Walkers Britain (AA Publishing - 2011) |
| Paperback: | Walking Down the Wye (Cicerone Press - 1992) |
Maps: |
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| Purchase Ordnance Survey Maps (path is named on OS maps): | |
| OS Landranger: | 135, 136, 147, 148, 149, 160, 161, 162, 172 |
| OS Landranger Active: | 161 |
| OS Explorer: | 13, 14, 167, 188, 189, 200, 201, 202, 214 |
| OS Explorer Active: | 13, 14, 167, 188, 189, 200, 201, 202, 214 |
Walking Support Providers:
| Support Providers: | Guided and Self-Guided Walking Holidays (Drover Holidays) |
| Support Providers: | Self-Guided Walking Holidays (Celtic Trails Walking Holidays) |
| Support Providers: | Self-Guided Walking Holidays (Contours Walking Holidays) |
| Support Providers: | Self-Guided Walking Holidays (Marches Walks Limited) |
| Support Providers: | Self-guided walking holidays with baggage transfer (The Walking Holiday Company) |
Group Accommodation within 5 Km of this Path:
| Hostel Accommodation: | St Briavels YHA, St. Briavels, Lydney, Gloucestershire | 3 Km |
| Bunk House: | Rickyard Bunkhouse, Wonastow, Monmouth | 5 Km |
| Bunk House: | Ye Old Ferrie Inn Bunkhouse | < 1 Km |
| Hostel Accommodation: | Welsh Bicknor YHA, nr Goodrich, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire | < 1 Km |
| Bunk House: | Woodlands Bunkhouse | < 1 Km |
| Bunk House: | Trericket Mill Bunkhouse, Erwood, Builth Wells, Powys | < 1 Km |
| Bunk House: | New Inn Bunkhouse, Newbridge on Wye, Llandrindod Wells | < 1 Km |
| Hostel Accommodation: | Greenfields, Rhayader, Powys | < 1 Km |
| Bunk House: | Beili Neuadd Bunkhouse, Rhayader, Powys | 2 Km |
| Bunk House: | Mid Wales Bunkhouse, St Harmon, Rhayader | 5 Km |
| Bunk House: | Old Weather Station | 4 Km |
Connected Paths:
| Path Highlights: | Wye Valley Walk Highlights 1; Wye Valley Walk Highlights 2 |
| National Trails (England & Wales): | Offa's Dyke Path National Trail; Wales Coast Path |
| Paths Marked on OS mapping: | Gloucestershire Way; Severn Way; Wysis Way |
| Other Paths: | Birmingham and Aberystwyth Walk; Bristol to Brecon Walk; Celtic Way; Cistercian Way (Wales); Coast to Coast - Snowdonia to the Gower; Great English Walk; Herefordshire Trail; Hope House Way; Monnow Valley Walk; Radnor Forest Ride; Ross Round; Sarn Helen; Sarn Sabrina Walk; Summits of Somerset and Avon; Three Choirs Way; Vaughan's Way; Wye to the Thames Click to show 14 more Other Paths |
Downloads:
| GPS Exchange Format Route File: | Wye Valley Walk GPX Exchange Format Route File | Login to Download (Members Only) |
| Leaflet - External PDF: | Chepstow by Public Transport | |
| MemoryMap Route file: | Wye Valley Walk Memory Map Route File | Login to Download (Members Only) |
| Tracklogs Route file: | Wye Valley Walk | Login to Download (Members Only) |
Route Profile:
| 221.9 Km (137.9 miles) 5,579 m (18,304 ft) ascent 481 m (1,578 ft) maximum height |
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