The Wye Valley Walk is a stunning 136-mile trail following the River Wye from its source in the Welsh mountains to the sea. This diverse route takes you through dramatic landscapes, ancient woodlands, picturesque villages and historic market towns, providing a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Highlights
The 136-mile (218 km) route follows the lower border between Wales and England. This well-trodden path begins in the remote green uplands of Mid-Wales, weaves through the rolling countryside of Herefordshire, and leads to the dramatic limestone gorges that define the lower Wye Valley.
Don’t forget your binoculars—this path is a wildlife lover’s paradise! Keep an eye out for the distinctive fork-tailed red kites, peregrine falcons, cobalt-blue kingfishers, and an array of river life, including otters and the elusive water vole. As you approach Chepstow, you might even catch a glimpse of Sammy, the resident seal.
The Wye Valley National Landscape is a recognised Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering a fascinating blend of natural beauty and historical intrigue. Shaped by centuries of borderland conflicts and once renowned for its industrial innovation in the 1600s, this landscape has been reclaimed by nature, creating a truly one-of-a-kind walking experience. Walk among forts and castle ruins, pass towering red sandstone cliffs carved by the Wye, and admire the area's geological wonders.
Along your journey, you’ll discover iconic landmarks and historic sites that make this walk truly special. Marvel at Tintern Abbey’s stunning seven-lancet window and impressive arches, explore Britain’s only remaining fortified river bridge with its gate tower in Monmouth, and visit the world-famous Mappa Mundi exhibition in Hereford. Stop at Goodrich Castle, with its commanding views over the Wye Valley, and wander through the charming book town of Hay-on-Wye. These captivating places offer perfect opportunities to pause, explore, and unwind along the way.
It’s no coincidence that we choose the Wye Valley to base our business. Nestled in the historic village of Tintern, Celtic Trails is inspired daily by the beauty of Tintern Abbey overlooking our office and the surrounding Wye Valley National Landscape. This protected area, straddling the England-Wales border, offers scenic walks through lush woodlands and along riverside paths, providing stunning views from the river source through to the sea.
As the leading organiser of Wye Valley walking holidays, Celtic Trails arranges comfortable, welcoming accommodations and daily luggage transfers, allowing you to fully relax while we handle all the details. You'll enjoy a seamless walking experience, with each day's walk enriched by beautiful landscapes, historic sites, and peaceful riverside paths.
The terrain along the Wye Valley varies quite frequently, with leisurely riverside stretches interspersed with short, sharp climbs through forest tracks. The uphill sections are well worth the effort, offering superb views from dedicated platforms along the valley—some truly spectacular vantage points await you.
One of the best parts of walking the Wye Valley is passing through tranquil villages and emerging from dense woodland onto open hilltops, following the river towards its source in Rhyd y Benwch.
Despite its length, the trail involves surprisingly little tarmac. Much of the route remains beautifully wild and rural, with minimal development. This means that while some sections can feel a bit rugged, the landscape retains its natural character, including reminders of a more industrious past—Victorian paper mills and old railway lines still trace the river’s tributaries.
Choose Your Walk
From £2,025 Per Person
WVW12
From £1,655 Per Person
WVW17
From £850 Per Person
WVW18
From £755 Per Person
From £1,335 Per Person
WVW14
From £1,040 Per Person
WVW16
From £810 Per Person
From £920 Per Person
WVW-TIN11
From £395 Per Person
<strong>If you wish to upgrade</strong> your overnight accommodation on occasion, we will be happy to arrange this wherever availability allows - prices to be advised <strong>The Official Guide Book</strong> 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 Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs.
4.7/5 based on 69 reviews
"Excellent provider and arranger of long distance walks - always helpful with any issues or problems"
"A well organised and enjoyable walking holiday visiting an interesting mix of villages, towns and city and some beautiful contryside!"
"We always love distance walking. Being outside in nature, even in bad weather, always contributes to a sense of accomplishment and good health."
"Extremely professional from the initial enquiry to the completion of the walk ensuring all details regarding the walk were in place. Regular communication and the information received was appreciated. Knowing that Celtic Trails had everything in place and that they were contactable at all times proved reassuring."
"Taken all the pressure off organising the walk + managing luggage"
"It was a great walk with beautiful views and good accommodation, good arranged by Celtic Trails."
"My experience was pretty much seamless, which is how it should be (except in case of unforeseen circumstances :) which I luckily didn't encounter)"
"Our 4th such holiday, the 3rd with Celtic, thoroughly enjoy it. Hassle free, well organised, only a phone call away"
"Nice walks and good service."
We seek out the best accommodation of its type available
World famous for its festival and bookshops, the picturesque Welsh border town has attracted wide tourist interest and with over twenty bookshops the town has become a focal point for bibliophiles across country.
Hay-on-Wye is located on all our Wye Valley routes, the exception being the Chepstow to Hereford itineraries (WVW4 & WVW5). Walkers are advised to avoid booking in conjunction with the festival, as accommodation around that time is invariably busy.
One of the most impressive monastic ruins in Wales, the Abbery structure is one the oldest and most distinctive landmarks within the Wye Valley. The ruins have been long admired, perhaps most famously by William Wordsworth.
There are fantastic vantage points for The Wye Valley, two of the most popular being The Devil's Pulpit and the ruins of St. Mary's. Tintern Abbey is included on all our Wye Valley Walk itineraries, the exceptions being WVW7 & WVW8.
<strong>If you wish to upgrade</strong> your overnight accommodation on occasion, we will be happy to arrange this wherever availability allows - prices to be advised <strong>The Official Guide Book</strong> 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 Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs.
<strong>If you wish to upgrade</strong> your overnight accommodation on occasion, we will be happy to arrange this wherever availability allows - prices to be advised <strong>The Official Guide Book</strong> 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 Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs.
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