Wye Valley & Forest of Dean Short Walks Made Easy

Discover ten short and leisurely walks across the Wye Valley (Dyffryn Gwy) and Forest of Dean with ‘Short Walks Made Easy’. Perfect for beginners and seasoned walkers alike, these routes are ideal for families and young adventurers, offering enjoyable and manageable routes to explore the region together.

This guide contains eight lovely walks in the beautiful Wye Valley between Hereford and Chepstow, and two in the sylvan Forest of Dean. Woodland walks feature prominently, reflecting the mostly rural and largely arboreal character of the region, set in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire.

Wye Valley (Dyffryn Gwy) and Forest of Dean Short Walks Made Easy includes:

• 10 Accessible Walks: Suitable for the whole family.
• Conveniently Short Routes: Walks range from 1 to 4 miles, designed to be completed within a couple of hours and suitable for all year round. Perfect for families, casual walkers, or anyone short on time.
• Easy Planning: Each walk features an information panel with details on distance, estimated time, parking, public toilets, nearby cafes and pubs, public transport options, terrain and recommended footwear.
• Clear and Reliable Mapping: Routes include simplified large-scale mapping for ultra-clear route finding and confidence along the way.
• Numbered Points: Link maps to route descriptions, walk profiles, and photographs for each point, ensuring you know exactly where you're going.
• Enriched Walks: Captivating stories behind the walks and Nature Notes on local wildlife and plant species enhance your experience by highlighting what to look out for and learn about along the way.

About the walks:

The River Wye has marked the boundary between England and Wales for centuries. The walk at Tintern not only offers a chance to explore the atmospheric abbey ruins but also crosses the border from Wales into England and back again. Routes lead you to the majestic Wye Valley viewpoints at Symonds Yat Rock, the Devil’s Pulpit, and the Eagle’s Nest, where you can see an extraordinary meander in the river at its best.

Two of the more energetic walks follow a section of the Offa’s Dyke Path from near Tidenham Chase and descend the 365 Steps at Wyndcliff. For more relaxing strolls, enjoy the riverside parkland at Ross-on-Wye, the peaceful banks of the river below Capler Camp, and the historic cathedral city of Hereford.

In the Forest of Dean, keep an eye out for wild boar. At Beechinghurst, balance an adrenaline-fueled treetop adventure with the tranquility of woodland walking. At Speech House, relish the exotic and native trees at the Cyril Hart Arboretum.