Chepstow Accommodation

The Wye Valley & River Wye Walking

Wye Valley scenery

Beautiful lush wooded valleys of the Wye Valley

Wye Valley Walking and River Usk South Wales

The Wye Valley which stretches across a 72 mile radius from the Wye River was designated an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' (AONB) in 1971. The Wye Valley actually stretches into both England and Wales, pushing into the rgions of Herefordshire, Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire which all border the River Wye at some point. The area is favoured by walkers and canoeing enthusiasts particularly and serveral superb marked ways and trails, including Offas Dyke and the Wye Valley Walk, the two longest trails.

A fascinating range of wildlife frequent the area, including a quarter of Britain's lesser horseshoe bats and fish such as shad and twaite. Usually spit into two sections, the Lower Wye Valley with it's distinctive gorge and limestone cliffs from Chepstow to Symonds Yat and the more gentle Herefordshire Lowlands to the north of Ross on Wye. Red sandstone is a feature of the northern lowlands. Look to the AONB Wye Valley Weblink right for a detailed breakdown of the landscapes in the Wye Valley which include Woolhope Dome, Herefordshire Lowlands, The Wye Floodplain, The Wye Gorge, the Forest of Dean, St Briavels Plateau and The Trellech Plateau.

Walking Trails Wye Valley Wales

Two main walkways criss cross the Wye Valley and both are very popular with walkers. The huge 136 mile long Wye Valley Walk runs from Chepstow to Plylimon, Hafren Forest and takes you through towns such as Monmouth and Hereford, weaving between both England and Wales. Check the Wye Valley Walk weblink right for full details. A number of trails hook into the main Wye Valley trail, some of which are shorter circular walks.

Offa's Dyke Path is the other main National Trail taking in the Wye Valley area. This one's huge as well, running 177 miles and linking the Sedbuy Cliffs near Chepstow on the Severn estuary to the North Coast of Wales and seaside holiday town Prestatyn. The trail takes it's name fom it's route, essentially thought to be a Dyke constructed during the 8th century by order of King Offa. The Dyke's function was probably to officially divide hist Kingdom of Mercia from other kingdoms in Wales.

As Offa's Dyke weaves it's way up to Prestatyn it moves into both the English and Welsh border regions, and it passes through a part of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The Offa's Dyke National Trail website (linked right) hints at around 2 weeks being a good time period for undertaking the whole trail. It's easy to hook into little sections however, for example from Sedbury Cliffs to Monmouth (17.5 miles) or Hay to Kington (14.75 miles).

Wye Valley AONB Office, Hadnock Road, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, NP25 3NG. Tel: (0) 1600 713977.

River Wye Wildlife & Plants

The River Wye is often referred to as the most beautiful river in Britain. An appropriate designation indeed as the River Wye has largely escaped any pollution and is unspoilt and natural compared to other British Rivers. The fact that it falls under the AONB umbrella is an important protector for it's preservation. Important wildlife and plants in the River Wye include algae, mosses and liverworts, and on the wildlife side around 30 species of fish and numerous species of birds who nest on the River corridor such as herons, sand martins, swans and goosanders.

Watch out for the rare polecat in the Lower Wye Valley and between 10 to 15 species of bats. Otters are also recovering, their population declined in the 1950s due to widespread use of toxic pesticides, and they live mainly on the tributary streams of the river.

Click Search

Tourist Information

Internet Links

Home Top