The Wye Valley Walk is an easy grade walking holiday in Wales that follows the river valley from Chepstow to Rhayader, ultimately arriving at its source near Pumlumon in the hills above Aberystwyth.
Highlights
The historic ruins of Tintern Abbey cut an impressive figure in the landscape
Visit the charming riverside village of Ross-on-Wye
Goodrich Castle, a huge Norman castle betweem Monmouth and Ross-on-Wye
See the 'Mapa Mundi' (a spiritual as well as geographical map of the medieval world) at Hereford Cathedral
Hay-on-Wye, 'Book Capital of the World' with a world-famous annual festival of literature
Important habitat for buzzards, peregrine falcons and red kites
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.
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 'specific scientific interest' (natural habitat of rare and protected species).
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.
Where is the Wye Valley Walk?
Skirting the border between England and Wales, The Wye Valley is an internationally protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Its a predominantly rural region (there is one town Ross-on-Wye), where you can find some of the more dramatic scenery the UK has to offer. 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.
Celtic Trails is based in the Wye Valley, and is the leading organiser of walking holidays on this interesting and enjoyable walk. You stay in comfortable accommodation along the way and each day your luggage is transported forward - while we take care of all the details.
Wye Valley Walk Route Update
Lydbrook Bridge Closure and Diversion 2017
The published route of the Wye Valley Walk is closed where the path crosses the river at Lydbrook Rail Bridge (National Grid Ref: SO 587 176) due to the unsafe condition of this former railway bridge.
As a consequence,:-
If walking upstream: walkers are advised to leave the Wye Valley Walk just east of Huntsham Hill (NGR 567 168) and follow the riverside footpath downstream to Huntsham Bridge (NGR 567 182), cross the Wye using this narrow road bridge and then, turning right, follow the riverside footpath upstream all the way to re-join the Wye Valley Walk at Lydbrook Bridge.
It is possible to remain on the south side of the river from Huntsham Hill and follow the Wye Valley Walk to the village of Lydbrook but as you cannot cross the river at Lydbrook the options between that point and Kerne Bridge necessitate walking along sections of the busy B4234 with no pavement.
If walking downstream: remain on the same side of the river at Welsh Bicknor (NGR 587 177) until reaching Huntsham Bridge (NGR 568 182), cross the river on this narrow road bridge and take the footpath on the left to walk upstream to re-join the Wye Valley Walk just east of Huntsham Hill (NGR 567 168)
All information on route diversions and updates will be included in your Walk Pack.
Path Walkthrough
Celtic Trails map detailing the Wye Valley Walk from Chepstow to Rhyd y Benwch (Llangurig)
The going underfoot along the Wye Valley 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.
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.
Walk Gallery
Our Wye Valley Walk Itineraries
Prices are per person, based on 2 people sharing, single person supplements apply.
Chepstow Castle to Rhyd Y Benwch
Length: 136 miles/ 218.5 km | Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Solo walker supplement: £40 (pn) Single occupancy (groups): £35 (pn)
Day
Location
Distance
Day 1:
Arrive Chepstow
Day 2:
Chepstow to Tintern
5.5 miles/8.8km
Day 3:
Tintern to Redbrook
8.75 miles/14km
Day 4:
Redbrook to Symond’s Yat
8 miles/12.8km
Day 5:
Symond’s Yat to Kerne Bridge
8 miles/12.5km
Day 6:
Kerne Bridge to Brockhampton
12.5 miles/20km
Day 7:
Brockhampton to Hereford
10 miles/16km
Day 8:
Hereford to Bridge Sollers
9 miles/14.4km
Day 9:
Bridge Sollers to Bredwardine
6 miles/9.6km
Day 10:
Bredwardine to Hay on Wye
8.5 miles/13.6km
Day 11:
Hay on Wye to Llanstephan Bridge
11 miles/17.66km
Day 12:
Llanstephan Bridge to Builth Wells
10 miles/16km
Day 13:
Builth Wells to Newbridge on Wye
7 miles/11.2km
Day 14:
Newbridge on Wye to Rhayader
9.5 miles/15.2km
Day 15:
Rhayader to Llangurig
12 miles/19.2km
Day 16:
Llangurig to Rhyd y Benwch
12.25 miles/19.6km
Day 17:
Depart Llangurig
Itinerary Information: 16 nights accommodation with 15 walking days. Arrive in Chepstow Castle on day 1, walk from day 2 and depart from Rhyd Y Benwch on morning of day 17.
Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.
Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.
Solo walker supplement: £40 (pn) Single occupancy (groups): £35 (pn)
Day
Location
Distance
Day 1:
Arrive Chepstow
Day 2:
Chepstow to Whitebrook.
11.5 miles (18.4 km).
Day 3:
Whitebrook to Symonds Yat.
11.25 miles (18 km).
Day 4:
Symonds Yat to Ross on Wye
11.75 miles (18.8 km).
Day 5:
Ross on Wye to Fownhope
11.25 miles (18 km).
Day 6:
Fownhope to Hereford.
6.25 miles (10 km).
Day 7:
Hereford to Byford.
10 miles (16 km).
Day 8:
Byford to Hay-on-Wye.
13 miles (20.8 km).
Day 9:
Hay-on-Wye to Erwood
13.75 miles (22 km).
Day 10:
Erwood to Newbridge on Wye.
14.25 miles (22.8 km)
Day 11:
Newbridge on Wye to Rhayader.
9.5 miles (15.2 km).
Day 12:
Rhayade to Llangurig
12 miles (19.2km).
Day 13:
Llangurig to Rhyd y Benwch
12.25 miles (19.6 km).
Day 14:
Depart Llangurig.
Itinerary Information: 13 nights accommodation with 12 walking days. Arrive in Chepstow Castle on day 1, walk from day 2 and depart from Rhyd Y Benwch on morning of day 14.
Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.
Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.
Solo walker supplement: £40 (pn) Single occupancy (groups): £35 (pn)
Day
Location
Distance
Day 1:
Arrive Chepstow
Day 2:
Chepstow to Tintern
5.5 miles/8.8km
Day 3:
Tintern to Redbrook
8.75 miles/14km
Day 4:
Redbrook to Symond’s Yat
8 miles/12.8km
Day 5:
Symond’s Yat to Kerne Bridge
8 miles/12.5km
Day 6:
Kerne Bridge to Brockhampton
12.5 miles/20km
Day 7:
Brockhampton to Hereford
10 miles/16km
Day 8:
Hereford to Bridge Sollers
9 miles/14.4km
Day 9:
Bridge Sollers to Bredwardine
6 miles/9.6km
Day 10:
Bredwardine to Hay on Wye
8.5 miles/13.6km
Day 11:
Depart Hay on Wye
Itinerary Information: 10 nights accommodation with 9 walking days. Arrive in Chepstow Castle on day 1, walk from day 2 and depart from Hay on Wye on morning of day 11.
Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.
Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.
Solo walker supplement: £40 (pn) Single occupancy (groups): £35 (pn)
Day
Location
Distance
Day 1:
Arrive Chepstow
Day 2:
Chepstow to Llandogo
10.5 miles (16.8 km).
Day 3:
Llandogo to Symonds Yat.
12.25 miles (19.6 km).
Day 4:
Symonds Yat to Ross on Wye
11.75 miles (18.8 km).
Day 5:
Ross on Wye to Fownhope.
11.25 miles (18 km).
Day 6:
Fownhope to Hereford.
6.25 miles (10 km).
Day 7:
Hereford to Monnington.
11.6 miles (18.6 km).
Day 8:
Monnington to Hay-on-Wye.
11.4 miles (18.3km).
Day 9:
Dept after breakfast
Itinerary Information: 8 nights accommodation with 7 walking days. Arrive in Chepstow Castle on day 1, walk from day 2 and depart from Hay on Wye on morning of day 9.
Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.
Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.
Solo walker supplement: £40 (pn) Single occupancy (groups): £35 (pn)
Day
Location
Distance
Day 1:
Arrive Chepstow
Day 2:
Chepstow to Tintern
5.5 miles/8.8km
Day 3:
Tintern to Redbrook
8.75 miles/14km
Day 4:
Redbrook to Symond’s Yat
8 miles/12.8km
Day 5:
Symond’s Yat to Kerne Bridge
8 miles/12.5km
Day 6:
Kerne Bridge to Brockhampton
12.5 miles/20km
Day 7:
Brockhampton to Hereford
10 miles/16km
Day 8:
Depart Hereford
Itinerary Information: 7 nights accommodation with 6 walking days. Arrive in Chepstow Castle on day 1, walk from day 2 and depart from Hereford on morning of day 8.
Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.
Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.
Solo walker supplement: £40 (pn) Single occupancy (groups): £35 (pn)
Day
Location
Distance
Day 1:
Arrive Chepstow
Day 2:
Chepstow to Llandogo
10.5 miles/16.8km
Day 3:
Llandogo to Symond’s Yat
12.25 miles/19.6km
Day 4:
Symond’s Yat to Ross on Wye
11.75 miles/18.8km
Day 5:
Ross on Wye to Fownhope
8 miles/12.5km
Day 6:
Fownhope to Hereford
6.25 miles/10km
Day 7:
Depart Hereford
Itinerary Information: 6 nights accommodation with 5 walking days. Arrive in Chepstow Castle on day 1, walk from day 2 and depart from Hereford on morning of day 7.
Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.
Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.
Solo walker supplement: £40 (pn) Single occupancy (groups): £35 (pn)
Day
Location
Distance
Day 1:
Arrive Hay on Wye
Day 2:
Hay to Llanstephan Bridge
11 miles (17.6 km).
Day 3:
Llanstephan to Builth Wells
10 miles (16 km).
Day 4:
Builth to Newbridge on Wye
7 miles (11.2 km).
Day 5:
Newbridge to Rhayader
9.5 miles (15.2 km).
Day 6:
Rhayader to Llangurig
12 miles (10 km).
Day 7:
Llangurig to Ryd y Bewch.
12.25 miles (19.6 km).
Day 8:
Dept after breakfast
Itinerary Information: 7 nights accommodation with 6 walking days. Arrive in Hay on Wye on day 1, walk from day 2 and depart from Rhyd Y Benwch on morning of day 8.
Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.
Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.
Solo walker supplement: £40 (pn) Single occupancy (groups): £35 (pn)
Day
Location
Distance
Day 1:
Arrive Hay-on-Wye
Day 2:
Hay-on-Wye to Erwood.
13.75 miles (22 km).
Day 3:
Erwood to Newbridge on Wye.
14.25 miles (22.8 km)
Day 4:
Newbridge on Wye to Rhayader.
9.5 miles (15.2 km).
Day 5:
Rhayade to Llangurig.
12 miles (19.2km).
Day 6:
Llangurig to Rhyd y Benwch.
12.25 miles (19.6 km).
Day 7:
Depart Llangurig.
Itinerary Information: 6 nights accommodation with 5 walking days. Arrive in Hay on Wye on day 1, walk from day 2 and depart from Rhyd Y Benwch on morning of day 7.
Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.
Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.
High standard accommodation ranging from Guesthouses, Farmhouses, local inns and B&B's with en-suite or private facilities wherever available
Breakfast
Luggage transfers
Personal transfer between accommodation and path where necessary
Route planning and Walk Pack including Trail Guide, itinerary, accommodation direction, local interest leaflets and holiday planning
Optional:
If you wish to upgrade your overnight accommodation on occasion, we will be happy to arrange this wherever availability allows - prices to be advised
The Official Guide Book should be sufficient to undertake this walk, but if you would like the relevant OS maps we can supply these at a reduced cost. The maps required to cover the whole path are: OS Explorer 13, 14, 188, 189, 200, 201, 202 and 214
Single occupancy supplement within a group: £35 per night.
Where singles are walking as part of a larger group and are willing to share a Walk Pack, single room occupancy supplements apply.
Rest days: From £50 per person per night.
Postage overseas: £5.00 (Europe), £10.00 (Rest of the World) per walk pack
Bank holidays & short notice bookings may incur extra charges.
You can keep a record of your walk by collecting the WVW passport stamps along the route. Once you have collected six stamps – which must include Chepstow and Hafren you can send from your exclusive badge and completion certificate from the Wye Valley Walk Partnership.
The Wye Valley can be walked quite comfortably in any season, depending on the section and undertaking involved. We advise walkers to avoid January to February, as the river tends to flood, making progress quite difficult underfoot.
Walkers may want to consider visiting in Autumn, where the surrounding woodland of the valley are lit up in colours of red and gold - it's an ideal place to witness one of natures most dazzling phenomenons.
Client Reviews of Our Wye Valley Walking Holidays
Our past clients rated this walk 4.7 out of 5, read a selection of 3 reviews below.
"[I enjoyed] the variety of the landscape, the river, the silence - all in all there is not much tarmac on this walk. I find walking a long-distance track most relaxing, especially when there is enough time and only a light backpack to carry. There is nothing much to decide. You just get up in the morning and go on. It’s a very good way to slow down."
4.6 out of 5
Hennike August 2016
"I like being able to focus on the walking, knowing the details are being taken care of. Thanks again for another lovely walking holiday – I recommend you to all my friends."
4.7 out of 5
Runde September 2016
"Thank you for your friendly professional service."
4.8 out of 5
Maddison October 2016
Leave your own review of your Wye Valley Walk Walking Holiday with us here
Stunning early medieval 
