Walk 1: Puddingstones & Pubs
Bluebells and ransomes (wild garlic) in Prisk Wood are a highlight of this 3 mile circular walk, passing two pubs, one at the top of the hill and one at the bottom! Find out about Penallt's hidden millstone industry. Walk across traditional wildflower meadows at Pentwyn Farm, down country lanes, beside the Wye and up a steep ascent from the river to Penallt.
Walk 2: Capler Circular Walk
A lovely mix of walking through ancient woodland carpeted with bluebells, beside the River Wye and up to Capler Viewpoint where a short detour will take you to Capler Camp Iron Age Hill Fort.
Walk 3: Manor Wood Walk & Manor Wood Leap
Manor Wood Walk leads to a viewpoint overlooking the Whitebrook valley whilst Manor Wood Leap gets up close to the tumbling Manor Brook, which once provided the power for paper, corn and cider mills. The brook is perfect for a game of poo sticks or some splashing about in wellies! There is also a play area for children in the Narth Glade, from where both walks start. With the bluebells out and the beech trees a gorgeous lime green this is the perfect time to explore. Details of these and nearby woodland walks in the download.
Walk 4: Brampton Abbots & Hole in the Wall Circular
Starting in Brampton Abbotts, this walk takes you on a circuit northwards along the route of the Herefordshire Trail to Hole in the Wall, where the path meets the River Wye, and then returns along the Wye Valley Walk. Look out for sand martins nesting in the holes on the far bank at Backney Common and a great variety of other river birds. You can make a little detour further to the ruins of Backney Bridge. The route turns left back up to Townsend Farm (look out for The Little Meal House, a horsebox selling drinks and treats in the farmyard) and back into the village and the church.
Walk 5: Ross Town Buggy Route
The Ross-on-Wye Buggy Route is a family and buggy-friendly walk popular with users of electrically powered scooters and wheelchairs, as well as people with young children in pushchairs. This barrier-free walk around the town passes many of its landmarks. It also takes advantage of an old railway line around the edge of the town which is a haven for wildlife. There's also a newly planted linear arboretum of around 100 specialist trees. The Buggy Walk starts at the Ross-on-Wye Bandstand on Wye Street, near to Wilton Road carpark.
Walk 6: Coppett Hill Walk
A walk from Goodrich Castle carpark over Coppett Hill. The hill is managed for wildlife by a community trust and forms one of the largest commons in Herefordshire. It is a great leg-stretching climb up at the beginning of the walk, but it ends with an easier stroll along the river bank.
From the top of the hill, where there is a Trig point and a derelict Folly, there are spectacular views north across the local farms, the meandering Wye and the distant hills of the Black Mountains and beyond. The walk is a brilliant place to spot deer, fungi and birds – including the peregrines that nest on the rugged Coldwell Cliffs.
Walk 7: Picturesque Piercefield
Follow in the footsteps of the Wye Tourists, discovering the picturesque landscape of Piercefield Park. This 6 mile walk takes you across the Piercefield Estate, retracing paths laid out in the 1750s by Valentine Morris, passing romantically named viewpoints such as the Lover’s Leap, the Giant’s Cave and The Eagle’s Nest, with its fabulous panorama. The route follows the Wye Valley Walk out of Chepstow (from the Leisure Centre). Alternatively you can start from the Lower Wyndcliff carpark north of St Arvans. Allow 5 hours or so for leisurely stops to enjoy the views.
Walk 8: Wye Valley Greenway
The new Wye Valley Greenway is a 5 mile off-road path linking Sedbury and Chepstow to Tintern. It provides a safe walking and cycling route for people of all ages. It's a great way to arrive in Tintern under your own steam (especially whilst the main A466 road is closed between Tintern and Chepstow). Once over the Wireworks Bridge in Tintern you will find plenty of local refreshment stops and attractions to visit. Why not venture to the furthest reaches of the village - to the Old Station (where railway passengers would have alighted in the past), or Parva Farm Vineyard, Kingstone Brewery or the Wye Valley Sculpture Garden?
Walk 9: Beacon Bimble
Discover the return of an ancient landscape on this gentle, short 1.5 mile
walk from the carpark at Beacon Hill, near Trellech, and around the recovering heathland owned by Natural Resources Wales. The Bimble includes a stunning view of the
Brecon Beacons, especially at sunset when the distinctive outlines of Skirrid, Sugarloaf and Blorenge are beautifully silhouetted. And if you are out at dusk do listen out for the churring Nightjar, a master of camouflage, and a conservation success story at Beacon Hill. Please do keep your dogs on leads or well under control as this site is a haven for ground-nesting birds.
Distance: 1.5m/2.4km; Time: 1 hour; Grade: easy and mainly level.
Walk 10: Woolhope Dome
This 5 mile walk showcases a fantastic landscape for wildlife. The landscape in the north around Woolhope is very different to the Welsh and southern sections of the AONB, with features along this walk such as an old square oast house used for drying hops. It is a walk for lovers of nature and geology as it wanders across the interesting geological feature of the Woolhope Dome and passes several local nature reserves. You may encounter some rough terrain, occasional inclines and in summer some long undergrowth to negotiate!
Walk 11: Lancaut
This 6 mile walk from Chepstow Castle visits a special place where the river makes a massive loop around a peninsular of land which seems lost in time. The walk follows a path running along the edge of cliffs where peregrines nest and down through ancient woodland to the romantic ruins of Lancaut Church. The views from Lancaut are unusual in that they look up to the surrounding limestone cliffs towering above the lost medieval village.
There is a shorter 1.5 mile circular walk from the carpark at Tidenham through the Lancaut Nature Reserve.
Walk 12: Offa's Dyke & Wye Valley Walk Circle
This 6 mile walk follows Offa's Dyke Path National Trail between Monmouth, via the Kymin with it's fabulous views, to Redbrook and returns along the Wye Valley Walk beside the river Wye. Steep climb up to the Kymin, decent into Redbrook and level return through riverside fields.
Walk 13: King Arthur's Cave and the Doward
Perfect for school holiday adventures, this short walk on the Doward Hill to King Arthur's Cave and the hyena's den will delight young explorers. The bones of Ice Age animals – woolly rhinoceros, mammoth and hyena were found here. Some 12,000 years ago people sat around a fire in this cave eating red deer.
Fast forward to the 19th century and' Slippery Jem' and his wife Betsy lived in a nearby cave. He boasted he had lived in his cave for 30 years (and not washed during that period)'!
Walk14: Wye Valley Greenway circular
There are outstanding views and interesting history on this 12.5 mile circular walk, which links the Wye
Valley Greenway path from Sedbury to Tintern, with the Wye Valley Walk between Tintern and
Chepstow. Features along the way include Chepstow Castle, the 1km
long Tidenham Tunnel, Tintern Abbey, the Eagle’s Nest View Point and 365
Steps. Nearing Chepstow, the route follows in the footsteps of 18th century Wye Tourists through the
Piercefield estate, passing the Giant's Cave and the Grotto created in the 1750s by Valentine Morris.
If 12.5 miles seems too far in one day, split the route into two and overnight in Tintern or Chepstow.
Walk 15: Whitestone, Whitebrook & the Wye.
This 14.5 mile hike explores the lower Wye area - either on foot, on your bike or on your horse, following bridleways, lanes and forest tracks, high above the Wye and along riverside tracks.
Walk 16: Ross-on-Wye Railway and Chase Wood Loop
Starting at the small car park (free) at the Merrivale end of the Ross-on-Wye Town and Country Trail, this beautiful 3.1 mile walk takes you on a circuit eastwards along the old Ross to Monmouth railway line, into Chase Wood along the Wye Valley Walk, around an Iron Age Hill Fort before returning through pretty woodland to the car park. It is not waymarked as a circular route; use OS Explorer map 189 Hereford & Ross-on-Wye.
Walk 17: Head for the Hillforts
Packed with history this 7 mile walk links two Iron Age hillforts at Symonds Yat East and on The Doward. Enroute cross a swinging bridge and a rope ferry, pass relics of the railway and river trade, an iron forge and the estate of a Victorian vandal!
Walk 18: The Angidy Trail
Uncover the Angidy's hidden heritage on this 5 mile circular walk.
Once boasting over 20 water wheels, the Angidy valley flourished from the 1560s, becoming one of the earliest places in the UK to industrialise with wireworks, forges and furnaces all along the valley. Discover the tidal dock, the ironworkers cottages and graves of the ironmasters overlooking Tintern Abbey. Lots of options for tea, cake, ice cream or a pint where the walk finishes!
Walk 19: Mills, Monuments and Manors
With the introduction of free weekend bus travel in Herefordshire for everyone, this 6 mile linear walk from Kerne Bridge to Ross on Wye makes the perfect autumn outing. Take the Number 34 bus from Ross and hop off at Kerne Bridge, returning on foot along the Wye Valley Walk at your own pace. The route takes you through ancient woodlands and near the end of the walk a climb up to the Iron Age Hillfort on Chase Hill rewards with views towards the Wye and Goodrich Castle.
Walk 20: Fownhope and Capler Camp
A superb 6 ml circular walk, taking in two nature reserves, an iron age hill fort and the banks of the River Wye. Enjoy autumn colours in Capler Wood and Lea & Paget’s Wood Nature Reserve, an
ancient woodland with sessile oaks and ash trees. Relax and refuel afterwards at the New Inn or
The Green Man in Fownhope.
Walk 21: The Slow Way from Hereford to Ross
This 18 mile route links Hereford and Ross and passes through a wonderful living and historical
landscape, rich in wildlife, in the northern part of the AONB. Don't forget to plan your walk using the free bus service in Herefordshire to get you to or from the start/ finish.
Peaceful Places of Inspiration
Venture off the beaten track to discover peaceful places and landscapes of belief beside the river Wye. Many sites can be reached along the Wye Valley Walk.
Kings Caple and Hoarwithy Circular Walk
A 5 mile circular walk through beautiful countryside on both sides of the winding River Wye, taking in a
suspension bridge, 3 churches and other antiquities.
Walk 24: Redbrook and Penallt Circular Walk
Lots of variety (and climbing) on this 4.5 mile walk starting in Redbrook and crossing the old railway bridge over the Wye to The Boat Inn. The walk follows the river before taking to the small steep lanes that cover the hillside up to the old church at Penallt, with its delightful tree archway and peaceful views. Look out for snowdrops near the church which are usually flowering in February. Continue along a series of lanes and footpaths up to The Bush at Penallt (formerly The Inn), where you can refuel (but check opening times). The return is a long descent down Lone Lane and along the river bank back to The Boat Inn and over the bridge to Redbrook. You can also start this walk at The Bush at Penallt.
Walk 25: Leys Hill Circular Walk
A 2 mile circular walk around Leys Hill, starting at Kerne Bridge - with a very convenient pub at the end! In the past the woods on Ley Hill were coppiced to produce charcoal which was used to fire local pottery kilns and iron furnaces, with the remains of quarries and limekilns all around.
Walk 26: St Arvans, Piercefield and Penterry Circular Walk
A 5.5 mile hilly walk from St Arvans through the woodlands of the picturesque Piercefield Estate (passing Lovers Leap and the Giant's Cave) before joining the Wye Valley Walk and heading north to Lower Wyndcliffe Wood. The path climbs the 365 steps up to the Eagle’s Nest with its panoramic views. High above the river the path crosses open farmland to Penterry Church and Gaer Hill before descending along a country lane back to St. Arvans.
Walk 29: Peterstow and Bridstow Walk
This is an easy 2.5 mile stile-free walk along the boundaries of Peterstow and Bridstow, just outside Ross, using public footpaths through apple orchards and along quiet lanes. Starting at the Yew Tree pub and along the way passing the delicious 'Broome Cupboard' this walk provides great views across the Wye Valley to the hills to the east.
Go green and access the walk start by using the 33 bus from Ross-on-Wye and alighting at the Yew Tree Inn, Bridstow. All bus travel within Herefordshire is free at weekends!
Walk 30: Joan's Hill Farm Walklk
A beautiful 3 mile circular walk through classic Herefordshire countryside, a landscape of flower-rich meadows, mixed woodland, black-and-white cottages and orchards decked with blossom and mistletoe. The walk starts at Haugh Wood and passes through Joan’s Hill Farm Reserve, Checkley. Joan’s Hill is rich in wildflowers from late Spring to July, including cowslips, which are one of the first flowers to bloom in late April/early May.
Walk 31 Herefordshire Trail
This section of the 154 mile Herefordshire Trail takes you through 10 miles of rolling countryside, crossing three historic bridges, passing 6 churches, 1 castle and a solar farm! Highlights include the bouncy (but elegant) Sellack Suspension Bridge, built in 1895 when the local vicar was having trouble crossing the river due to ‘awkward’ (possibly intoxicated) ferrymen. One fed-up cleric even crossed the river on stilts! Arriving at St Catherine's Church in Hoarwithy you may feel you've been transported to the Mediterranean as its exotic Italianate style is most unexpected in the Wye Valley. If you can, arrive late afternoon to enjoy the fabulous light and shadows created by the Romanesque architecture.
Walk 32: A Wander through the Woolhope Dome
A 7 mile walk, starting at Wessington Pasture
nature reserve (SO 604 353). This new walk through the landscape of the Woolhope Dome is a must for nature lovers as it takes in five Herefordshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves. The Woolhope Dome is a rim of hills and folds of silurian limestone which provides excellent conditions for species-rich grassland to thrive. Over 20 kinds of butterflies, including the wood white have been found on Common Hill reserve. This butterfly is declining rapidly nationally but is maintaining a stronghold in the Woolhope Dome.
At the end of your walk find refreshments in Woolhope at The Crown pub.
Walk 37: Tintern's Hidden History
This 11 mile circular trial is suitable for walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers. Along the way discover Tintern’s hidden heritage and enjoy far reaching views across the Wye Valley. The route is a mix of green lanes, forestry tracks and tarmac lanes with some steep uphill climbs out of Tintern. Start at any point and go in either direction and, for an extra long hike, this route links up with the Whitestone, Whitebrook and the Wye trail to make a marathon length route of 26 miles! (Please note the Tread and Trot app is nolonger available.)
Walk 38: Piercefield Estate Walk
A 5 mile (2.5 hour) walk starting at Chepstow Leisure Centre, retracing paths laid out by Valentine Morris on the Piercefield Estate in the 18th century and passing the ruins of one of Wales' finest houses, Piercefield House. Morris’s picturesque walks, designed with viewpoints and grottoes were extremely popular with Wye Tourists in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
The walk takes you past Chepstow Race Course) to St. Arvans, where there is a handy pub stop at the Piercefield. Return on footpaths and through farmland and Cockshoot Wood before walking along a short section of the B4235 back to the Leisure Centre.
Walk 40, Sellack and Hoarwithy
7 mile leisurely and easy walk in the Wye valley crossing a Victorian suspension bridge, and passing three churches - Sellack Church which is one of only two churches in England dedicated to a Welsh saint - St
Tysilio, the Italianate church in Hoarwithy and St Dubricious church in Hentland with its ornate organ. The route returns through Pengethley
Park which is owned by the
National Trust.
