2025 marks the 50th birthday of the Wye Valley Walk and we will be celebrating with guided walks and events along the Wye throughout the year
It is more than 50 years since the idea of creating a long distance walk following the river Wye was mooted. In 1975 the first 14 mile section of the Wye Valley Walk opened between St Arvans and Monmouth. Over the years stretches were added to reach Chepstow, Ross-on-Wye, Hereford, Hay-on-Wye and Rhayader. The final section was completed in 2002, taking the path within viewing distance of the source of the Wye on Plynlimon, with the walk finishing at Rhyd-y-benwch in Hafren Forest. This was made possible with the support and enthusiasm of the four local authorities through which the Walk passes – Monmouthshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Powys – who came together to form the Wye Valley Walk Partnership, with the Wye Valley National Landscape taking on the role of lead partner. Over the last 50 years thousands of people have come from all over the UK, and around the world, to complete the Walk and proudly claim their badge and certificate.
Wednesday 2nd April 2025, 7pm, St Mary's Church, Ross-on-Wye.
To mark the start of our 50th anniversary year we will be launching the new Source-to-Sea Cicerone Guide to the Wye Valley Walk. Ruth Waycott from the Wye Valley National Landscape wrote the new source-to-sea guide on behalf of the Wye Valley Walk Partnership. Join her for an illustrated talk as she shares some of the 'Wye-lights of walking the Wye. Ticket entitles you to £3 off the new book at the event.
Thursday 24th April, 7pm, Chepstow Library, 9 Bank St, Chepstow NP16 5EN
Celebrate fifty years of The Wye Valley Walk with Ruth Waycott, author of the new source-to-sea Cicerone Guidebook. Ruth (who works for the Wye Valley National Landscape) wrote the book on behalf of the Wye Valley Walk Partnership, who maintain this much- loved route. For Chepstow Walkers are Welcome Festival 2025, and in conjunction with Chepstow Books, Ruth will be giving an illustrated "Wyelights" talk on this beautiful walk from the river’s source on the slopes of Plynlimon, through the countryside of the Wales –England border to journey's end at Chepstow.
Join local guides to walk the length of the Wye Valley Walk in 12 fantastic sections April - October 2025. To receive details when tickets go live email information@wyevalleyaonb.org.uk
Stage 1 starts beside the river Severn and runs alongside delightful mountain streams, before climbing up through pine forest to open moorland with extensive views across the Welsh Hills. A gravel track descends all the way from the watershed, soon finding an infant river Wye, and following it down to the A44, through a landscape dotted with industrial archaeology. The second half of this stage is along quiet forest tracks, through riverside fields, with a final steep climb up to Llwyn-gwyn (just under 400m) before descending to the river Wye and Llangurig village.
Stage 2 has to be one of the most spectacular stages on the Walk, venturing into the uplands of Mid Wales and reaching the highest point on the Wye Valley Walk at 1,575ft (480m). The first section is uphill all the way to Nantyhendy Hill, with an hour or so of high-level walking over open moorland, enjoying (if the weather obliges) all-encompassing 360 views. It’s a slightly gentler descent into the delightful Dernol Valley, picking up a peaceful lane following the Nant-y-Dernol as it flows down to join the Wye. A section of gated lane drops down to Gilfach Nature Reserve. A gentle walk along the Afon Marteg is followed by a steep uphill to Gilfach Farm. A breath-taking view over the nature reserve is the reward for another steep climb onto the moorland above Gilfach. Then it’s across fields to reach a minor road which drops down into Rhayader. From heather-clad hill tops to sheltered stands of sessile oaks this stage has got it all!
Stage 3 is a pleasant mix of farmland, open hill, woodland and old roads. Leaving Rhayader we pass the waterfall that gave the town its name. Gentle walking on minor roads and farm tracks brings you tosome early excitement, a suspension bridge across the Afon Elan. A long steep climb with excellent views, takes you onto the open moorland of Graig Allt-y-bont, then a steady descent to Llanwrthwl. An old coaching track shared with National Cycle Route 8 runs along the base of Tremboy Hill with pleasing views across the Wye Valley. Fields and then a quiet road lead down to Newbridge.
Combining Stage 4 & 5 of the Wye Valley Walk, this is an excellent long day walk. The first section is mostly gentle gradients with field and woodland walking and then a gorgeous 6km stretch beside the Wye into Builth Wells. From Builth the route has quite a few steep ups and downs, but the rewards are some of the best views on the Wye Valley Walk as you cross the open moorland of Banc-y-Celyn with its wide skies and expansive vistas. Nearing Erwood, Little Hill Common offers another superb photo opportunity over the Wye Valley towards the Black Mountains. The walk finishes at Erwood Station Craft Centre.
Walk 5 starts at Erwood Station Craft Centre, crosses elegant Llanstephan Bridge and offers peaceful riverside walking along a gorgeous stretch of the Wye through fields, catching glimpses of Llangoed Hall Hotel and the Black Mountains. Crossing the Wye at Boughrood we follow field paths and farm tracks with the Black Mountains looming ever closer to arrive in Glasbury. The afternoon section takes in St. Meilig's Church in Llowes, with its mysterious stone cross, followed by the only real climb of the day which rewards with panaramic views over the Wye Valley, taking in the Bannau Brycheiniog in one direction and the Black Mountains in the other. A gentle walk beside the river brings us to journey's end in Hay-on-Wye.
Walk 6 leaves Wales behind as we cross the border into England, passing through 'border country'! It's a lovely mix of field walking and quiet country lanes, crossing the Dulas Brook and, near Priory Farm, enjoying expansive views back into Wales and the Bannau Brycheiniog. We pass peaceful hamlets as we work our way towards the Wye, near Locksters Pool, with views over the river. After Clock Mills the ascent of Merbach Hill (1043ft) begins, which rewards with views taking in (supposedly) 11 counties. The descent from Merbach Hill follows a farm track with a particularly pleasing pastoral panorama across the Herefordshire Plain, before a steep descent to the hamlet of Bredwardine, where the 19th century nature diarist Francis Kilvert is buried.
This walk starts at St. Andrew's Church, Bredwardine, where the 19th century nature writer and diarist Francis Kilvert was curate. We cross the Wye, passing Brobury House and Gardens, and follow country lanes to enter woodland at Brobury Scar, where the Wye has cut deep into the sandstone creating a 92m drop to the river below. We pass magnificent knarled sweet chestnut trees before enjoying the 'oddity' of the Monnington Mile and the time-warp on entering Monnington Church. Then it's through Bulmer's apple orchards to reach Byford Church with its 600 year old wall paintings. There's a 5km section along a country road following the route of a Roman Road and passing the site of a Romano-British walled town. Back on footpaths we walk through more orchards and fields to pretty Breinton Church with its lychgate and links to Edward Elgar. A peaceful path hugs the riverbank all the way into Hereford.
Urban paths lead out of the city, passing Edward Elgar's home and then picking up a path across the floodplain of the river Wye taking us to Hampton Bishop and its unusual black and white timbered belfry. We follow the flood defence banks to the river Lugg at Mordiford Bridge (the view from which is said to have inspired Elgar). We now enter the Wye Valley National Landscape - an area of outstanding natural beauty which stretches down to Chepstow! Leaving the Wye behind the path climbs through traditional orchards, where sheep graze under apple and perry trees, and then crosses peaceful rolling fields before descending into Fownhope.
We start with a lovely mix of ancient woodland and farmland, passing through two SSSIs - Common Hill and Lea & Paget's Wood. A short climb, rewarded with lovely views across the rolling countryside, brings us to Capler Camp , an Iron Age Hillfort, supposedly the burial place of a British chieftain. We will stop to enjoy Capler viewpoint looking out across the Wye way below. At How Caple we walk beside the Wye in a gorgeous riverside section to the delightfully named Hole-in-the-Wall. After Foy Suspension Bridge a mostly level path leads into Ross-on-Wye, passing through Townsend Farm, which showcases regenerative agriculture. A short stretch along the old railway line is followed by riverside field walking into Ross.
A mix of woodland and farmland walking with an early climb up to Chase Hill Iron Age Hillfort. An intricate network of small paths and lanes is followed around Leys Hill and then descends to meet the Wye at Kerne Bridge. Catch a glimpse of Goodrich Castle in the distance as we cross Kerne Bridge and follow the west bank of the Wye through riverside meadows to Welsh Bicknor Church and YHA. After crossing Lydbrook Bridge we follow more riverside fields along a truly peaceful section of the Wye, with Coldwell Rocks and the flag on Symonds Yat Rock slowly coming into view - our final destination. A steep zig zag ascent brings us to the most famous view on the Wye Valley Walk!
This walk weaves in and out of Wales! We follow the route of the old Wye Valley Railway line and then cross the bouncy Biblins pedestrian suspension bridge taking a riverside path through woodland and underneath towering limestone cliffs known as the Seven Sisters and King Arthur's Cave. We pass the mansion of Wyastone Leys after which the valley widens out and riverside fields lead into Monmouth passing the pretty riverside church at Dixton. We cross the Wye at Monmouth, following riverside fields to Redbrook and crossing the river for a final time back into Wales. The old railway line takes us to Whitebrook, once a centre for papermaking (including bank notes for the Royal Mint). A steep climb takes us away from the river and up to the Duchess's Ride, with expansive views over the Valley towards the Severn. We pass the waterfall at Cleddon, surrounded by Celtic Rainforest soon arriving at Whitestone Forest (where it's thought Wordsworth composed his poem 'Words composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey').
We follow woodland paths high above the Wye before descending to the former port of Brockweir on the now tidal Wye. We pass nostalgic Old Station Tintern and stay beside the river through the village of Tintern to reach the most spectacular ruin on the Wye Valley Walk - Tintern Abbey. It's a steady climb out of Tintern to Black Cliff Wood and an Iron Age hillfort. Several miles of walking through ancient woodland brings us to the Eagle's Nest, an expansive viewpoint which takes in both the Wye and the Severn, and in the foreground, the Picturesque Piercefield estate. We follow paths laid out by Valentine Morris in the 1750s passing the ruins a series of romantically named viewpoints, follies and grottos. Suddenly we emerge into civilisation and a short stretch of urban walking brings us to journey's end in the shadow of the magnificent, medieval clifftop fortress of Chepstow Castle. The Wye flows on to meet the river Severn two miles away.
