Walks Around Monmouth & Symonds Yat

North of Bigsweir bridge, the tidal limit of the Wye, are many circular walks taking in natural and heritage features. This section of the National Landscape heading up to Monmouth was important for millstone production and can be explored on the ‘Puddingstones and Pubs Walk’ around Penallt. A walk up the Slad Valley near St Briavels rewards with a babbling brook and some amazing Tufa Dams. Offa’s Dyke can be followed on a circular walk from Redbrook to The Kymin at Monmouth, returning along the Wye Valley Walk. The bicycle and buggy friendly ‘Peregrine Path’ is a level route to Symonds Yat along the old Wye Valley railway line.

 

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 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.
Nightjar

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 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.
Wye Valley Heritage

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)'!

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 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 24: Redbrook and Penallt Circular Walk

This is a lovely walk to do in February when the snowdrops near Penallt Old Church flower. There's 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 then climbs up steep lanes to the old church with its delightful tree archway and peaceful views. A series of lanes and footpaths leads up to The Bush at Penallt (formerly The Inn) and returns down Lone Lane and along the river bank back Redbrook.

Walk 27: Mitchel Troy to Cwmcarvan with the best views!

The best views in Monmouthshire perhaps on this 5 mile walk with some steep gradients. Linking two churches it’s uphill all the way from the start in Mitchel Troy to Craig y Dorth and then drops down to Cwmcarvan Church. There's another climb back to Mitchel Troy Common before dropping down to the start. The rewards are magnificent views across Monmouthshire, west towards the Sugar Loaf and Black Mountains and east towards the Wye Valley.

Walk 28: Weatherman Walking - Trellech to Monmouth

Follow in Derek Brockway's footsteps on this lovely 9 mile linear walk which starts in the history-rich village of Trellech, passes through glorious ancient woodlands down to Whitebrook and follows the River Wye to Redbook. Joining Offa’s Dyke path, the route climbs up to the Kymin with magnificent views of Monmouth, the Black Mountains and beyond. Go green and catch the Number 65 Bus from Monmouth to reach the start in Trellech.

Walk 33: Craig y Dorth

This short 1.5 mile walk provides some of the most expansive views out from the AONB, stretching from the Blorenge to Hay Bluff, with the distinctive shapes of the Sugar Loaf and Skirrid easy to spot. On a clear day you can also see Pen y fan, the highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons. It's a fabulous place to watch the sun set over the Black Mountains. The walk follows a little used minor road around Craig-y–dorth hill and is suitable for pushchairs and motorised buggies.

Walk 35: Duchess Ride Ramble

An easy 3 mile waymarked stroll through woodland and heathland starting at the Beacon Hill carpark above Trellech (what3words: trials.screeches.early) and passing the Beacon Hill trig point. This is a mainly level route. There is a picnic bench at the car park and another one at the Beacon Bimble viewpoint (just 250m from the car park) from where the distinctive shapes of the Sugar Loaf, Skirrid and Hay Bluff are silhouetted beautifully at sunset. The Duchess Ride is an avenue of huge Scots Pine trees, said to have been a favourite of the Duchess of Beaufort. Today the Wye Valley Walk follows this historic ride. Look out for a bench and beautiful viewpoint down the Wye Valley, with glimpses of the river Severn and the old Severn Bridge.

Walk 36: Around Llandogo

This 3 mile walk starts at the church in Llandogo and follows the River Wye upstream for 1km. Crossing the A466 the route climbs up into woodland before emerging high above the river, amongst the old lanes and houses of Llandogo. The route passes through the Cleddon Shoots Site of Special Scientific Interest where the AONB are working with local landowners to control cherry laurel, an invasive species which is encroaching on the sensitive and delicate habitats of this protected area. After crossing Cleddon Shoots the path descends through little lanes and footpaths back to the church. Lots of steps and some very steep sections are rewarded with surprise views and The Sloop in for refreshments at the finish!
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