Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- Website: https://www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk
About
The Wye Valley is one of 46 AONBs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. AONBs are nationally designated and protected landscapes cared for by locally accountable partnerships that promote and support effective long term management to keep the area special. The Wye Valley AONB is the only designated landscape to straddle the border between England and Wales.
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Published route(s)
Little Dewchurch to Peterstow
Linear walk from Little Dewchurch through rich red sandstone country to one of Herefordshire’s finest Victorian churches at Hoarwithy. The walk passes through King’s Caple to the Wye at Sellack Bridge and onward to Upper Grove Common and finally across fields to Peterstow. Mostly on paths with some country lanes.
From Pengethly to Harewood End
The walk descends through beautiful parkland beneath Pengethley Manor Hotel, originating from the 16th century, to Hentland Church and through to Hoarwithy, where there’s a public house with a shop and post office.
Angidy Trail
Follow the Angidy Trail and discover Tintern’s hidden industry – the furnace, forge and wireworks, the workers’ cottages, limekilns, tidal dock and church where generations of metal workers were baptised, married and buried.
Puddingstone and pub trail
A walk uncovering Penallt’s hidden millstone industry. With some steep steps, uphill sections and uneven paths. Best enjoyed in spring and early summer when the bluebells and wildflower meadows are at their peak. This walk takes you to a millstone quarry, to the riverside where millstones were loaded onto trows and passes two pubs where you can enjoy a glass of local cider!
Head for the Hillforts
Follow in the footsteps of the Wye Tourists down to the Wye. Cross the river at the Biblins visiting Little Doward Hillfort, King Arthur’s Cave and New Weir Forge. Return on the hand ferry at Symonds Yat West.
The Lancaut Peninsular
Follow the path above limestone cliffs where peregrines nest, to the lost medieval village of Lancaut and the ruins of St James’ church.
Brockweir
A figure of eight walk centred on the delightful village of Brockweir. The walk is mainly level along the Wye Valley on old railway tracks, the riverbank and minor roads, part in Wales and part in Gloucestershire.
Dingestow Discoveries
Enjoy spectacular views towards the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons, keep your eyes peeled for lots of wonderful wildlife, and discover hidden heritage along the way.
English Bicknor
Dramatic cliffs, superb views and riverside walking with a wrapping of internationally protected woodlands and sprinkling of industrial ruins.
Mills, Hills and Manors
Through woodlands on tracks and pathways climbing to the ancient Chase Hill iron age hill fort with fine views to Goodrich Castle and the Wye Valley.
Picturesque Piercefield
Follow in the footsteps of the Wye Tourists and discover the picturesque viewpoints of Piercefield Park. These walks take you across the Piercefield Estate, retracing the paths laid out in the 1750s by Valentine Morris, the owner of Piercefield.
In the woods - The Wye Valley
A route through woodland on clear wide tracks.
Symonds Yat
A circular walk on good surfaces, mainly level along the beautiful Wye Valley at Symonds Yat. The River Wye seen from the world famous viewpoint at Symonds Yat Rock forms an almost complete loop. The river here flows 31⁄2 miles yet progresses less then 1⁄4 mile towards the Severn. This walk starts below Symonds Yat Rock in the steep sided, wooded gorge at the pleasant village of Symonds Yat East.
Trellech Beacon
A circular route on Trellech Beacon with stunning views to the Wye Valley below and the Forest of Dean, Malverns and Cotswolds in the distance.
Whitestone
There is a gentle uphill incline near the start of this mainly level woodland walk. There are stunning views down into the Wye Valley and a stop at the waterfall that may have been the sounding cataract, in Wordsworth’s ‘Lines written a few miles above Tintern Abbey’.
Tintern’s Hidden History
The route is a mixture of green lanes, forestry tracks and tarmac lanes. There are steep uphill climbs out of Tintern on either side of the Angidy Valley. The route is way-marked. Look out for these along the way. Numbers on the map relate to numbers in the text. You can start at any point and go in either direction (these directions follow a clockwise route). This route links up with the northern Wye Valley trail, Whitestone, Whitebrook and the Wye.