Walks south of Hereford

This northern section of the National Landscape, from just south of Hereford at Mordiford, down to Hoarwithy, is less well known but has many stunning walking routes, as well as the Herefordshire Trail and Wye Valley Walk, which links the riverside villages in this area to Hereford. Hoarwithy, with its unexpected Italianate Romanesque church, features in several circular routes. The Capler Hill Circular Walk provides views across the river, an iron age hill fort and a lovely section of riverside meadow. Walks around Woolhope will interest geologists, whilst traditional meadows at Joan’s Hill Reserve and the ancient woodland at Haugh Wood show another side of the Wye Valley National Landscape. For church lovers, a walk around Holme Lacey (a history lesson about the Scudamore Family) can be combined with a night ‘champing’ at Holme Lacey church!

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 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 20: Fownhope and Caplor 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 Caplor 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 passing through a wonderful living and historical landscape, rich in wildlife, in the northern part of the AONB. Sections of this walk also make lovely shorter strolls such as Little Dewchurch to Hoarwithy. Don't forget the free bus services in Herefordshire to get you to or from the start/ finish of your walk.

Walk 30: Joan's Hill Farm Walk

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 Ross to Little Dewchurch

This 10 mile section of the 154 mile Herefordshire Trail crosses 3 bridges, passes 6 churches, 1 castle and a solar farm! Highlights include Sellack Suspension Bridge, built in 1895 when the 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, Hoarwithy you have been transported to the Mediterranean as its 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 7 mile 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. 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 34: Mordiford Loop Walk

This 4 mile walk, with some steep sections, starts in Mordiford and makes a loop through the surrounding countryside. The walk passes close to Sufton mansion, designed in the ‘classical’ style by Wyatt, & its grounds by the renowned landscape architect Humphrey Repton. The route passes through Bears Wood, reportedly where the last wild brown bear was killed in Herefordshire. Until the 19th century a large green dragon, was painted on the wall of Mordiford Church. The legend of the dragon remains and has been recently brought to life in a series of wooden sculptures in the village.
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