Wye Valley Walk 

Routes offered on this trail

The Wye Valley Walk is a very scenic national Trail, running along the route of the River Wye, weaving between the border of Wales and England.  This route is only offered in one direction but can be walked as a whole or in two sections.  The full route starts in the Historic Town of Chepstow and finishes at the Source of the River Wye at Rhyd-y-Benwch.  

This is an easy to moderate walk, largely following alongside the Wye River.  Suited to beginners of long distance walking. 

The Wye Valley walk is a very popular choice due to the beauty of the scenery, especially the southern half, which passes through the Wye valley which is known as an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The path visits a succession of historic border towns and villages as well as the chance to visit Chepstow Castle, Tintern Abbey, Symonds Yat Rock and Hereford Cathedral. 

The mileage shown below is from where the Wye Valley Walk starts and finishes each day and is for your guidance only. A large part of this walk includes along rural areas, so you will find that sometimes the accommodations are very close to the path and other times you will need to walk a little further to reach your accommodation.  You will not be asked to walk any further than one and a half miles from the path to your accommodation unless other wise stated.   Please see the Itinerary pages for more details.

Dates to avoid in the area, due to large events taking all of the accommodation. 

***Builth Wells Smallholding and countryside festival -Builth Wells and surrounding area-  Saturday 17th May-Sunday 18th May 2025***

*** Hay book Festival- Hay-on-Wye and surrounding area- Thursday 22nd May – Sunday 1st June 2025 ***

*** The Royal Welsh Show- Builth Wells and surrounding area- Monday 21st to Thursday 24th  July 2025 ***

 

Wye Valley Walk.
Full walk
136 miles/ 219km


 

This route is classed as moderate to challenging in places

Walk the whole of the 136 miles of the scenic Wye Valley Walk. Over 13 or 16 nights. From £1580.00 per person

Wye Valley Walk.
South Section. 
Walking to Hay-on-Wye
77 miles/ 124km
Walking to Hereford
53 miles/ 85km

This route is classed as moderate to challenging in places

Walking the Southern section of the Wye Valley Walk.  Covering 75 miles between Chepstow and Hay-on-Wye, This walk includes the opportunity to visit the historic sights of Chepstow Castle and Hereford Cathedral,  Over 8 or 10 nights from £980.00 per person

Or walk the slightly shorter route ending in Hereford over 6 or 7 nights from £770.00 per person. 

Wye Valley Walk.
North Section. 
62 miles/ 100km


 

This route is classed as moderate to challenging in places

Walking the Northern section of the Wye Valley Walk.  Covering the 62 miles between Hay-on-Wye and Rhyd-y-Benwch.  Over 6 or 7 nights from £770.00 per person

Rest Days, explore or relax it's your choice. 

A rest day is a great way to break up your walking Holiday.  You could explore the area or just take it easy for the day.  

A fabulous way to make your holiday more bespoke.

We give you some ideas below on choice places to stop for that extra day. 

Chepstow

Giving yourself an extra day to explore Chepstow, before your start your walking holiday is a great choice for a rest day.  Chepstow is a beautiful historic Welsh Town.  A visit to Chepstow Castle is very recommended- Britain’s oldest surviving post-Roman stone castle. Commissioned by William the Conqueror, With large sections still in tacked.  There is also a Town Museum and a smart high-street full of independent shops.

Hay-on-Wye

Hay-on-Wye is a world renowned 'book Town'  full of specialist and second-hand book shops. For an unusual experience you will find Booths book shop housing a small cinema. There is also a Medieval Castle with 17th Century Mansion and a huge array of places to eat and drink.  

feet with boots on relaxing in long grass
Two boots tied to a bench

Hereford

About half way along the Wye Valley Walk, or a good finishing point or staring point, you will find the City of Hereford. Famous for housing the Mappa Mundi, the largest surviving medieval map in the world. Found in the grand City Cathedral along with the biggest chained library in the world.  There is no shortage of fine places to eat and drink and of course you must try some Herefordshire cider.

Rhayader

Rhayader is a great place to spend a rest day, just before you embark on the last part of your Wye Valley Walk. Gigrin Farm Red Kite feeding station is in easy walk of the Town.  Hundreds of huge Red Kite birds of prey feed here every day.  It is quite a spectacle, to see so many colossal birds in one place.   

What we offer

Please see listed below information for this walk.  If you have any questions, please contact us- we will be happy to help.

What is included 

  • You will be accommodated as close to the path as possible in good quality accommodation using a mixture of Guesthouse, Bed and Breakfast, Farmhouse, local Inns and Hotels.
  • All rooms are booked as en-suite or private bathroom wherever possible
  • Breakfast is always included. Sometimes this is continental not always a fully cooked breakfast.
  • Your luggage will be transferred for you between each of your accommodations.
  • Where your accommodation is not within a reasonable walking distance of the path you will be provided with a transfer to your accommodation.
  • Your route planning will be provided as part of your holiday pack.
  • Your Holiday pack will included your Trail Guide and map, itinerary, accommodation directions and route notes, lunch information and evening meal recommendations, luggage transfer information and holiday planning details.
  • A packed lunch and your evening meal are not included in your holiday cost.
  • You will be responsible for getting to your first nights accommodation and departing from your last nights accommodation.  

Additional Costs

Rest Days

If you would like to spend additional days in an area, a rest day can be included in your itinerary.  This is great for exploring the area At £70.00 per person per night.  Please let us know at the time of booking so this can be included.  

A great place for a rest day is Hereford City

Solo Walkers 

Solo walker supplement is charged at £70 per night.  All our walks are based on two people sharing a room.  The Solo Walker supplement is applied per night for anyone holidaying on their own.  It is charged to cover the extra costs passed on from the accommodations and luggage transfers. 

Single Supplement

Single supplement applies if you are booking as part of a group but require a room of your own.  Charged at £60 per person per night. Again, it is charged to cover the extra costs passed on from the accommodations and luggage transfers. 

Postage Costs

Postage is calculated dependant on location, as listed below:

UK - £6.99 per pack

Europe - £17.99 per pack

Rest of World - £26.99 per pack

 

How to get to The Wye Valley Walk. 

Railway stations: Can be found at Chepstow, Hereford, Llandrindod Wells and Newtown.

Car Parking: There are car parks in Chepstow and Hereford run by the local council. Parking charges will apply. 

If you would like any help with your arrival or departure arrangements, please contact us at the office where we will be happy to give advice.  info@embarkwalkingholidays.com  call us on +44 (0)7399 330178.

 

When would you like to start

We want to arrange your holiday to suit you.  So you get to choose the start date and we will work from there.  

Our walks are only offered between April and September, giving better daylight hours and safer walking conditions for you. 

 

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