Wye Valley Walk

Walk the Wye Valley Walk

The Wye Valley Walk is a 136-mile / 219 km long-distance trail following the River Wye from the uplands of Mid Wales to Chepstow near the Severn Estuary. Beginning at Rhyd-y-benwch in Hafren Forest, close to the source of the Wye on Plynlimon, the route follows the river through rural Wales and Herefordshire before entering the dramatic landscapes of the Wye Valley National Landscape.

From Hafren Forest, the trail crosses open upland country towards Llangurig before following the upper Wye through Rhayader, Newbridge-on-Wye and Builth Wells. This northern section combines moorland, farmland, woodland and river valleys as the Wye gradually grows from a small upland river into one of the defining waterways of the Welsh border country.

South of Builth Wells, the route continues through Erwood and Glasbury towards Hay-on-Wye, where the landscape begins to change from the higher country of Mid Wales to the rolling farmland of the Welsh borders. From Hay, the trail crosses repeatedly between Wales and England as it follows the river through villages, fields and orchards towards Hereford.

Beyond Hereford, the Wye Valley Walk enters increasingly wooded and deeply incised countryside as it continues through Fownhope and Ross-on-Wye. The route then follows the river towards Symonds Yat, where limestone cliffs, woodland and sweeping bends in the Wye create some of the most distinctive scenery along the trail.

From Symonds Yat, the path continues to Monmouth before following the lower Wye south through the Wye Valley National Landscape. Woodland paths and riverside sections lead towards Tintern, where the ruins of Tintern Abbey stand beside the river beneath the surrounding wooded hills.

The final section climbs through woodland above Tintern and passes viewpoints high above the Wye and Severn before descending through the historic Piercefield landscape towards Chepstow. The trail finishes beside Chepstow Castle, close to where the Wye approaches its confluence with the Severn.

Overview

Distance: 136 miles / 219 km
Typical duration: 7–12 walking days
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Start: Rhyd-y-benwch, Hafren Forest
Finish: Chepstow
Terrain: Upland paths, river valleys, farmland, woodland, orchards, limestone hills, riverside paths and quiet lanes