WALKING THE WYE VALLEY

The Wye Valley Walk

The 136 mile (218km) route intersect along the lower border between Wales and England. There are few challenges present with walks in the Wye Valley, as you follow the route through the dramatic limestone gorges that define this route. Walking through a protected area, you'll find allows for a more reflective experience as the trail weaves through the rolling countryside of Herefordshire and the remote green uplands of Mid-Wales.

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The route along the river is a haven for wildlife - Red Kites, Peregrines and the Heron are all native to this area. The walk takes place in a recognised 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty', protected for both its cultural importance and its status as a 'Site of Special Scientific Interest' (a natural habitat of rare and protected species). Walks in the Wye Valley cover dense woodland, riverside walks and climbs up forest tracks - offering you a far-reaching vantage point over the valley.

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Stunning early medieval Tintern Abbey appears along your route, and old historic towns and villages – Monmouth, Hereford (with its famous Cathedral and Mappi Mundi) and Goodrich Castle. The route also meets the areas most famous old book-town, with walks around Hay-on-Wye. These are just a few of the many interesting places you can take time to explore and unwind along the way.

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The going underfoot will vary quite often, with idle stretches along the river interspersed with short, sharp sections climbing through forest tracks. That being said, the climb up does bring great rewards, with dedicated viewing platforms stationed along the valley - there really are some spectacular vantage points along your way. The best part of walking the Wye Valley will be spent bypassing mellow villages and walking out of dense woodland tracks into airy field tops, as you follow the river to its source in Rhyd y Benwch.

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For such a long stretch of trail, there is surprisingly little compromise made in terms of tarmac. In fact, a lot of the route is fairly wild and rural, with very little in terms of development. Although this means that the route can be fairly unruly, it also means that a lot of the landscape stays intact, including the remnants of a more industrious past, with old Victorian paper mills and railway lines left among the tributaries.