Walks Around Ross on Wye

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 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 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 23: Kings Caple and Hoarwithy

This 5 mile circular walk through beautiful countryside on both sides of the Wye, crosses the river via the lovely bridge at Sellack and passes three churches including the surprising Italianate church of St Catherine’s at Hoarwithy. The walk also passes close to Llanfrother, thought to be the site of St Dyfrig's teaching monastery established in the 6th century.

Walk 25: Leys Hill Circular

A 2 mile circular walk around Leys Hill, starting at Kerne Bridge - with a very convenient pub at the end. This area of woodland was vital for the production of charcoal in previous centuries. Trees were coppiced to produce the charcoal used to fire local pottery kilns and iron furnaces. The remains of this industrial past, including quarries and limekilns, are to be found all around this area.

Walk 29: Peterstow and Bridstow Loop

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 take the 33 bus from Ross-on-Wye, alighting at the Yew Tree Inn, Bridstow to start the walk. All bus travel within Herefordshire is free at weekends!