Full Description
This
guide contains eight lovely walks in the beautiful Wye
Valley between Hereford
and Chepstow, and two in the sylvan Forest
of Dean. Woodland walks feature prominently,
reflecting the mostly rural and largely arboreal character of the region, set
in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire.
The
River Wye has formed the boundary between England
and Wales
for centuries. The walk at Tintern, as well as enjoying the atmospheric abbey
ruins, crosses the border from Wales
into England
and back again. Routes lead you to the imperious Wye Valley
viewpoints at Symonds Yat Rock, the Devil's Pulpit and the Eagle's Nest, from
where an extraordinary meander in the river can be seen at its best. Two of the
more energetic walks follow a section of the Offa's Dyke Path, from near
Tidenham Chase, and descend the 365 Steps at Wyndcliff. More relaxing strolls
can be enjoyed in riverside parkland at Ross-on-Wye; along the peaceful banks
of the river below Capler Camp; and by the Wye in the historic cathedral city
of Hereford.
In
the Forest of Dean, keep a look out for wild boar. At
Beechinghurst, you could offset an adrenaline-fuelled treetop adventure with
the benefits of quiet woodland walking; while at Speech House, there's the
opportunity to relish exotic and native trees at the Cyril Hart Arboretum.
Contents
Hereford
Hereford is dominated by its
elegant cathedral, which is home to the ancient Mappa Mundi. As well as
visiting the cathedral, this walk takes in the River Wye, Castle Green and the
Black and White House. As you stroll along lanes through the historic heart of
the medieval city, there are bars and cafés galore to tempt you inside. And,
all the while, the cathedral's never far away, picturesque from every angle.
Historic
cathedral city; Black and White House Museum; riverside stroll
Haugh
Wood
Visit Haugh Wood on a sunny day in spring or
summer and you'll see butterflies ... lots of them. Some might even be rare. More
than 600 butterfly and moth species have been recorded in this 850-acre
woodland, which has consequently been designated a Site of Special Scientific
Interest. Well-maintained paths criss-cross the area, making it easy to
explore, and information panels provide fascinating details about the
invertebrates you might see as well as the history of the woods.
Butterfly
trails and woodland ramble; Herefordshire views
Capler
Camp
The attractive countryside between Hereford and Ross-on-Wye
is less well known than other parts of the Wye Valley National Landscape, and
yet it hides walking gems that are both beautiful and fascinating. This route
in the Brockhampton area is typical. It passes beneath one of the region's Iron
Age hillforts, surrounded today by dense woodland, and then drops to the banks
of the River Wye. Enjoy the peaceful wooded riverside as the occasional kayaker
makes their way downstream.
Peaceful
riverside stroll; sample the Wye
Valley Walk; spot a heron
Ross-on-Wye
The market town of Ross-on-Wye sits on an idyllic spot above the
River Wye. With the spire of St Mary's dominating the surrounding countryside,
the town rises from the east bank of the river. After wandering riverside
paths, this walk climbs away from the Wye to explore the town and then takes to
a disused railway. Fringed by trees and home to a surprising array of wildlife,
this trail provides lovely walking before the route drops back to the river.
Historic
Wye town; parkland riverside trees; Town and Country Trail
Symonds
Yat Rock
As you emerge from the confines of the
forest, the scene from the Symonds Yat Rock viewpoint is simply breathtaking.
Sitting atop a headland set within a massive loop of the River Wye, it has the
river on both sides, and enjoys far-reaching views across the Herefordshire
countryside. The idyllically situated homes of Symonds Yat West cling to the
gorge's steep, wooded slopes while peregrines nest on nearby cliffs. After
visiting the viewpoint, you can enjoy a relaxing wander through the adjacent
woodland.
Stunning
viewpoint and peregrine observation spot; woodland trails
Cyril
Hart Arboretum and Speech House
This walk explores forest paths and tracks
close to the traditional centre of the Forest of Dean.
First stop is the Cyril Hart Arboretum, home to many exotic trees including
species of North American sequoia. Venturing beyond this protected woodland,
you'll pass through areas of oak, sweet chestnut, wild cherry and various
conifers. Both Speech
House Lake
and historic Speech House are visited, with a quieter part of the forest
encountered between the two.
Exotic
arboretum trees and native broadleaved woods; lake film setting
Beechenhurst
and the Railway Path
Starting from the popular visitor centre and
café at Beechenhurst, this walk provides another chance to get to know the
beautiful woodland of the Forest
of Dean. It briefly
follows part of the sculpture trail as it heads into the forest and then drops
to a disused railway. Flat and easy-going all the way, this is followed for
almost two miles - to the pretty Cannop Ponds. From here, the route passes
through a quieter part of the forest to return to Beechenhurst.
Combine a
forest walk and treetop adventures; look out for wild boar
Tintern
Abbey
Tintern in Monmouthshire is best known for
its Cistercian abbey, the substantial ruins of which occupy a charming spot
beside a tidal stretch of the River Wye. This walk sets out from the abbey car
park, quickly crosses the river into England and then heads, through
woods and over fields, to the hamlet of Brockweir. Back in Wales again, the return to Tintern
uses a disused railway and riverside path, finally re-entering the village
where characterful cottages line the waterside.
Picturesquely
set abbey ruin; two border crossings over the Wye
Devil's
Pulpit and Offa's Dyke
After heading out along the edge of restored
heathland that forms part of a local nature reserve, this walk makes its way
along lanes and roads to pick up the route of the Offa's Dyke Path. As this
undulates its way through glorious Wye
Valley woodland, the
ancient earthwork lurks among the trees. The highlight of the route comes on
reaching the Devil's Pulpit, where the previous climb is rewarded with a sudden
view of Tintern Abbey and the River Wye far below.
Offa's
Dyke and its National Trail; classic Wye
Valley viewpoint
Wyndcliff
and the Eagle's Nest
This may be the shortest walk in this book,
but it's also the hardest. It starts with a sustained climb and features a
steep descent via the 365 Steps. The rewards, though, are many. The Eagle's
Nest provides one of the best and most far-reaching views in the Wye Valley,
while the 365 Steps lead down into an enchanting area of woodland directly
below the limestone crags. Walking here, you half expect to see elves leaping
out from tangled undergrowth behind moss- covered boulders.
The 365
Steps (down!); view to the Severn bridges; a
veteran tree
