Walking
The Wye Valley is excellent walking territory, offering the dedicated hiker and the afternoon stroller a wealth of interest and variety - from spectacular viewpoints overlooking the Wye to quiet wooded trails. Use public footpaths to wander off the beaten track and you'll soon discover some of the area's lesser known beauty spots, the wildlife, and evidence of the area's rich cultural and industrial heritage - some of the gems which led to the Wye Valley 's designation as one of the most outstanding areas of countryside in the UK. Two long-distance walking routes cut through the heart of this area: the Wye Valley Walk and Offa's Dyke Path. In Monmouthshire a range of walks are published on-line including a Penallt Pubs and Church circular, a range of walks around Tintern and the new Ninewells Farm Circular. Follow the link to Monmouthshire Countryside Service Wye Valley Walk The 136-mile Wye Valley Walk, way-marked by the distinctive 'leaping salmon' logo, starts at Chepstow Castle, near the mouth of the River Wye, and follows the valley to the source of the river in mid-Wales. The official Wye Valley Walk Guide, available from the Wye Valley AONB unit, will help you plan your walk, and it comes with a free guide to accommodation and services along the route. The Wye Valley Walk Partnership, chaired by Andrew Blake, the Officer for the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is responsible for managing, maintaining and promoting the walk. Warning: A fallen beech tree and landslip is currently blocking the Wye Valley Walk near Chepstow. See the Wye Valley Walk website or go to our news/activities page and click on press releases for information on the diversion. Offa's Dyke Path Step back into the past by following the Offa's Dyke path, which runs for 177 miles through the Welsh border country. This National Trail begins at Sedbury Cliffs near Chepstow and for some of its route it follows the remarkable late eighth century Offa's Dyke earthwork, Britain 's longest archaeological monument. There is an official guide to the trail, published by Aurum Press in partnership with the Countryside Council for Wales and Countryside Agency The Offa's Dyke Association publish an accommodation guide with public transport information (e-mail: odp@offasdyke.demon.co.uk). Guided walks The Wye Valley AONB organises a programme of guided walks and activities. It is also a partner in the Monmouthshire Walking for Health initiative. Countryside walks are also organised by Monmouthshire Countryside Services and Herefordshire Council. There are also businesses offering guide-led walking holidays with accommodation and baggage transfer. Celtic Trails is based in Tintern and runs holidays using both Offa's Dyke and the Wye Valley Walk. Celtic Trails