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All year round, Wye Valley offers some of the most breathtaking views in the UK – the beautiful flowers through spring to summer, or the snow-capped mountains through winter. Wye Valley is one of the most dramatic and scenic landscapes in Britain, straddling the border between England and Wales.
Those looking for walking holidays often come visit Wye Valley for its beauty, historical landmarks and a bit of adventure. Whether you fancy a small stroll in the morning, or a huge trek for the day, Wye Valley has various walking trails for you to pick and choose from – and, if we say so ourselves, some gorgeous countryside views that you just won’t get anywhere else (although we might be a bit bias…).
Nonetheless, with all the choice, it can be hard to decide what trail is best for you. So, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite walks for your walking holiday in Wye Valley for you below.
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For a relatively short walk, but full of historical insights, the Three Churches Trail is a great pick. The walk begins in Hoarwithy where you can first take a look around Hoarwithy Church. A quick bit of history for you: after being built in 1840, the Vicar of Hendland deemed the style too ugly and decided that he had to beautify it. The famous church now features Italianate architecture and is known as an unusual landmark, featuring in many films and documentaries.
Following the yellow arrows, you’ll start walking towards King’s Caple. Kings Caple is a small village featuring museums, art galleries and parks for you and the family to discover. Part of this walk includes visiting St Johns church – the second church of this trail. The church sits high on a plateau within a loop of the River Wye where you’ll find breathtaking views of the countryside.
Continue following the markers, and you’ll reach a Victorian suspension bridge where you can cross the river wye to visit Sellack. This rural and charming village is also where the final church of the trail, St Tysilio, was built. Walk around the idyllic area and immerse yourself in the outstanding natural beauty of Sellack. This ancient church also features a surprising, yet unique feature of a glass window dating back to the 18th century.
A long-stretching climb starting from Goodrich Castle, walking up through the delightful nature reserve of Coppett Hill before descending to walk alongside the river. As a fairly long walk – roughly 4 hours – we recommend stopping off at Lower Lydbrook where you can enjoy some well-deserved traditional food before heading towards Welsh Bicknor. Despite the name, it’s not quite in Wales, but is on the Welsh borders with some of the most picturesque views you’ll find.
This walk is a moderate walk featuring magnificent views and gives you a bit of insight into Wye Valley’s contribution to both World Wars. If you haven’t already reached this conclusion, Wye Valley walks are never boring!
Famous for its iconic river views, Symonds Yat has become a popular destination for tourists everywhere. With its many adventure attractions – we’re talking about exploring the dark caves, rock climbing and water sports, or simply taking in the small town charm – it’s a must-visit for those visiting the Wye Valley.
It’s also home to the famous Yat Rock, one of the best viewpoints of Wye Valley (and best places to spot Peregrine Falcons if that’s something of interest!). Symonds Yat is an ideal place for walks – for both a gentle stroll or a hike – as there’s various tracks to explore within the valley. One of our favourite trails is around Yat Rock. After you’ve had enough of the perfect views from Yat Rock (if you can ever), you’ll find various marked trails continuing alongside the river and through the blissful town.
Symonds Yat Trail, one of the Wye Valley circular walks, is a gentle walk featuring a diversity of landscapes where you’ll pass through the Iron Age Fort and into the tranquil woodland paths. Here you’ll also find 10 nature trail boards which will give you some suggestions on what to look out for during your walk. A great way to make an interactive stroll for the kids!
If you fancy something a bit different to any ordinary walk, the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail – just a few minutes drive from Symonds Yat East – is another great and unique find. This 4.5 miles long walk features various (you guessed it) sculptures that have been created by artists to interpret the history of the landscape and environment.
Whether you’re an art lover, or have no clue, it’s a lovely opportunity to walk through the woodlands and discover beautiful art. You can either seek them out yourself by following the markers or pick up a map to make life easier!
Whether you’re looking for a pleasant afternoon stroll, a long hike or just a day’s trip, Wye Valley walk is the one to consider. This beautiful trail is a long-distance footpath criss-crossing the border between England and Wales, and following the gorgeous river Wye. It’s known for having some of the most breathtaking views in Herefordshire (maybe even in the UK…) and is the perfect way to walk the Wye Valley.
The Wye Valley hike mainly follows the path of the river, passing through the pastoral, open fields; however, can quickly change to become a stiff climb up and down through the woodlands. For those looking for a more challenging walk, then you can continue following the trail through when it gets to this point.
You’ll pass through various Herefordshire landmarks and villages, such as Goodrich Castle, English Bicknor, Welsh Bicknor, and more. This is a great starting walk for those who want to spend the day exploring.
The historic, charming town of Ross on Wye is widely known for its ancient buildings, pillared market house and its overall picturesque location. The town itself perches over the River Wye where you can visit various independent boutiques, eat in traditional country pubs and learn about some local history.
If you’re looking for scenery that will take your breath away, taking a stroll around Ross on Wye is it. This circular walk is a delightful way of passing through Herefordshire around Ross on Wye. Starting in the market town (which is definitely worth having a look around!) you’ll follow the river north to Hole-in-the-Wall.
Once you leave the river, you’ll head through the Herefordshire countryside where you can visit Crow Hill, Penyard Park, Warmhill Wood, and more on the way. Featuring various charming villages, the peaceful woodlands and the undeniable mesmerising river, it’s a walk not to miss!
If you’re visiting Wye Valley with children, you might be finding it hard to persuade them to go on some walks. This Treasure Trail might make all the difference. A riverside walk featuring intrigue, code-cracking puzzles and mystery, it’s definitely a different experience to previous walks.
The walk, taking roughly 2 hours, gives you and your family a chance to explore Herefordshire and do a bit of sightseeing with the added bonus of finding out who the culprit is…
It might have started out for the kids; but it doesn’t mean that the adults can’t have some fun!
Just past our glamping site and not too far from the river Wye, which runs through our farm, is a moderate and peaceful walk trail which follows the river round. Starting from Hole-In-The-Wall, you’ll first pass through the village of Foy, an ancient Parish in the county of Herefordshire and about 3 miles from Ross on Wye. The village itself is very small, featuring only a few houses and farms; however, is still a beautiful place to walk through.
The trail itself crosses the river twice by two suspension bridges where you will follow on top of the ridge in between. Walking through some pastel meadows, and several delightful villages, it’s a pleasant walk to go on. We recommend bringing some food with you and stopping for a lovely picnic where you can enjoy the views.
If you’re looking to stay somewhere during your visit to Wye Valley, why not try glamping? White House on Wye Glamping site offers 6 luxury tipis where you can privately stay tucked away in the great outdoors. If you’re not a fan of the traditional camping, but looking for somewhere where you can get the full country experience, then glamping might be the perfect option for you. It’s a great way to stay if you’re on a walking holiday.
Tucked away in one of 6 spacious tipis, you’ll be accommodated with proper bedding, heating & electricity and your own private outdoor space to relax under the starry skies. Get away from the hustle and bustle of your regular lives and discover Wye Valley the proper way.
And, there you have it! As you can see there’s various trails and walks in the Wye Valley – from afternoon strolls, to big and long hikes. Before heading out on any walk, remember to prepare properly – there’s no such thing as bad weather, just unsuitable clothing.
Make sure you bring along a waterproof jacket, wear proper footwear, pack some snacks and bottles of water to ensure you don’t tire yourself out, and a map – many of the walks may have little to no signal; make sure you print out a map of your trail so you don’t get lost!
With a mixture of natural beauty and charming landmarks, Wye Valley is a great destination to truly take in the outstanding countryside. Known as one of England’s most rural areas, you can take a break from the chaotic city life and simply focus on yourself and your surroundings without any silly distractions.
