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Wye Valley Walk

Llwybr Dyffryn Gwy

Wye Valley Walk Chepstow to Plylimon, Hafren Forest
218km/136 miles
Signed

An attractive route following the course of the river Wye via Monmouth, Hereford, Builth Wells and Rhayader to the source deep in rugged and remote Hafren Forest. The Walk crisscrosses the border of England and Wales, running along dramatic limestone gorges, through the rolling countryside of Herefordshire and into the uplands of mid Wales.

The Walk is managed by a partnership of the local authorities, the Wye Valley AONB and the Forestry Commission, and was established with the assistance of the Ramblers' Association. It originally ran from Chepstow to Rhayader, but was extended to the source of the river in 2002.

Four short circular walks connect with the route in Herefordshire:

  • Capler Loop Walk Circular from Brinkley Hill via Capler Wood 3km/2 miles.
    Woodland and great views of the Wye, plus an iron age hill fort. Easy but includes a steady climb. Buses from Hereford to Fownhope or Brockhampton.
  • John Kyrle Walk Circular from Ross-on-Wye via Ashfield, Cleeve Meadows and Wilton Bridge 5km/3 miles EASY
    Riverside meadows and sights linked to 17th century Ross resident and philanthropist John Kyrle. Numerous buses to Ross.
  • Leys Hill Loop Walk Kerne Bridge and Leys Hill 3km/2 miles
    Coppiced woodlands and traces of the former lime and charcoal industries. Includes an initial steep climb. Various buses at Kerne Bridge.
  • Mordiford Loop Walk Circular from Mordiford via Checkley and Cockshute 6.5km/4 miles EASY
    In the footsteps of the Mordiford dragon. Buses from Hereford, including on summer Sundays.

From the Wye to the Thames is a linked series of 14 unsigned circular walks from stations on the Cotswold railway line. It connects three major rivers (the Wye, Severn and Thames) and three AONBs (Wye Valley, Malvern Hills and Cotswolds) between Hereford and Oxford, through Ledbury, Great Malvern, Evesham and Morteon-in-Marsh (192km/119 miles).

disability logoSome easy access sections: see guide or contact Recreational Trails Officer (see below)

Public Transport

There are railway stations on or near the route at Chepstow, Hereford, Llandrindod Wells and Builth Road. Numerous buses run along the southern part of the Wye Valley connecting Chepstow with Tintern and Monmouth, Monmouth with Ross on Wye and Gloucester, and Ross with Hereford. Full details of public transport between Chepstow and Hereford are in the booklet Discover the Wye Valley by Foot and by Bus (see below) which also includes shorter walks from bus stops. In the north buses are sparser, but Powys county council can supply details in their travel guides. There are bus connections from Rhayader to the stations at Llandrindod Wells and Builth Road. There is currently no public transport to the northern end of the walk in the Hafren Forest: walkers are advised either to organise a lift or taxi, or to continue along the Severn Way for a further 13km/8 miles to Llanidloes which has express coaches and a regular bus service to the station at Newtown (Powys).

From the Wye to the Thames walks link stations on the Cotswold railway line at Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Worcester, Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Shipton, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Charlbury, Finstock, Combe, Hanborough and Oxford, with connections for Birmingham, London and many other towns.

More information: Wales | West Midlands | National enquiry lines

Publications

  • Wye Valley Walk Official Route Guide. Powys County Council £9. Order here!
    Spiral-bound full colour guide with clear maps, route descriptions, background information, including separate Accommodation and Services guide. Latest edition covers the full route from Chepstow to Plynlimon.
  • Wye Valley Walk by Anthony Burton, ISBN 1 85410 532 9. Aurum £12.99
    Recreational path guide with OS 1:25,000 map extracts. Covers only the older section of the route from Chepstow to Rhayader.
  • The Capler Loop Walk, The John Kyrle Walk, The Leys Hill Loop Walk, The Mordiford Loop Walk. Free leaflets from Herefordshire council or local information centres.
  • Lower Wye Rambles by Lower Wye Ramblers. 16 shorter walks between Monmouth and Chepstow, several using sections of the Wye Valley Walk. Ordering information.
  • Discover the Wye Valley on Foot and by Bus. Booklet 30p + p&p from Wye Valley AONB or local sources.
    Full details of bus routes in the Wye Valley AONB between Chepstow and Hereford, plus much useful background information and suggestions for walks from bus stops.
  • From the Wye to the Thames, £2.50 from Cotswold Line Promotion Group, 4 Sandford Rise, Charlbury OX7 3SZ
    www.clpg.co.uk

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From the Wye to the Thames

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