Wye Valley Walk

Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Powys

A walk following the banks of the river for most of its length but including some hill climbing, it passes Lovers Leap and Tintern Abbey. Several vantage points are achieved before crossing over the Wye at Redbrook to continue along the riverside to Monmouth.

The route then meanders on to pass English Bicknor, Welsh Bicknor and Goodrich Castle then leaves the Wye to go across country to Ross-on-Wye before reaching Hereford. Passing cider orchards, parkland and farmland, the Walk continues via Bredwardine, Merbach Hill, Hay-on-Wye, Builth Wells and Newbridge to Rhayader and now extended a further 24 miles, beyond Llangurig towards the source of the Wye on the slopes of Plynlimon, (image courtesy of Wye Valley AONB) eventually turning to meet the Severn Way in Hafren Forest, which route can be followed east to reach transport at Llanidloes.

While not part of the marked route, the source can be reached on Access Land. Explorer maps 201 and 202 are advised as they give better coverage of areas north of the route from OL 13 and 189.

In 2007 a significant re-launch of the route was completed with new signs, better waymarking and a new website with interactive maps of the route and comprehensive information about accommodation, transport and a new Passport scheme for completers.

See Wye Valley Walk website for details of a diversion around Lydbrook Bridge. The 2018 Cicerone guide shows the diversion route.

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Details:

Path Type:	Paths Marked on OS mapping
Waymark:	Leaping salmon on named disc
Attributes:	Challenging Forest/Woodland Moorland River Heritage
Start:	ST533942 - Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire
Finish:	SN857869 - Rhyd-y-Benwch Car park, Hafren Forest, Powys
Web Sites:	Wye Valley Walk Wye Valley Walk - Passport Scheme Wye Valley AONB Herefordshire County Council - walks and trails - long distance routes Visit Monmouthshire - Wye Valley Walk Wye Valley Way 1 [YouTube video] Wye Valley Way 2 [YouTube video]

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Publications, Badges and Certificates:

Guidebook	Walking the Wye Valley Walk : from Chepstow to Plynlimon  (Cicerone Press  - 2018 )
Guidebook	The Wye Valley Walk : Recreational Path Guide  (Aurum Press (an imprint of Quarto)  - 1998 )
Guidebook	Walkers' Britain  (AA Publishing  - 2011 )
Guidebook	Walking down the Wye : the Wye Valley Walk from Rhayader to Chepstow  (Cicerone Press  - 1992 )

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