Wye Valley Walk: Chepstow to Tintern

Trace the lower reaches of the magnificent River Wye as it meanders through towering limestone cliffs, past ancient sites, high up through ancient woodland, with far reaching viewpoints that would turn even the least romantic person into a painter or poet.

Need to Know

Best time to walk: Autumn for beautiful colours, or Spring for bluebells and other wild flowers.

Map: OS Explorer, OL 14 Wye Valley & Forest of Dean

Start: Chepstow Castle

End: Tintern Abbey

Distance / Time: 8.6km / 5.4 miles

Ascent / Descent: 340m

Transport / Parking: Bus service 69 runs between Chepstow & Tintern. Train and bus services run to Chepstow. Good, large, pay and display car parks at Chepstow Castle & Tintern Abbey.

Food / Drink / Supplies: Plenty of eat-in and takeaway options in Chepstow and Tintern. Tintern gets very busy in summer so consider booking ahead.

The Route

Chepstow Castle to Alcove Wood Lookout

If you have time before setting off, a visit to Chepstow Castle is highly recommended - not only is it Britain’s oldest stone castle, but it is also home to Europe’s oldest surviving wooden doors, and some impressive viewpoints over the River Wye. Once you’re ready to begin the walk, from the car park, follow the inland wall of the castle keeping it on your right, up through a valley known as ‘The Dell’. At the top of the path you’ll reach a road, turn right and follow the pavement until you reach the leisure centre on your right.

Walk to the back of the car park, near the leisure centre entrance, and look out for the Wye Valley Walk sign, and a narrow fenced footpath. Follow the foothpath behind the school and you’ll come out at a stone wall. Follow this downhill to reach the first lookout, with views back over to Chepstow castle.

Alcove Wood Lookout to Lower Wyndcliff Lookout

From the viewpoint, you’ll be heading up through woodland, with some steep climbs. You’ll pass an old lookout where the view has long since disappeared as the trees have been left to grow here. The walk skirts the edge of Piercefield Park, a ruined mansion and gardens which were once the epitome of the Picturesque movement.

The walk cuts across the top of the hill as the river meanders away to the right, passes the remains of an old grotto, then once again follows the course of the river, high above on a narrow path. A highlight of this section is the Giant’s Cave and another scenic lookout. The trail passes into and through the cave, climbing steeply once again to reach a small picnic area and lookout at Lower Wyndcliffe.

Lower Wyndcliffe to Eagle’s Nest Viewpoint

Cross the road from the picnic area / car park, and follow the path up and to the right. The Wye Valley Walk actually goes round to the left, but it would be a shame to miss out a spectacular alternative route - the 365 steps trail, which winds through ancient yew trees, over boulders and some pretty rickety steps (at your own risk!). The views as you climb higher are spectacular, though if you don’t have a head for heights you might be relieved to reach solid ground at the top.

Follow the woodland path uphill for a short way, then take a right, and follow this through the woods. Stick to the main path, but after a short while you’ll see a small diversion down to your right - this is the Eagle’s Nest viewpoint, the highest and most spectacular viewpoint of the walk. From here you can see both Severn Bridges, the Cotswolds and the rivers Wye and Severn.

Eagle’s Nest Viewpoint to Tintern

Rejoin the main path from the Eagle’s Nest, then follow the path northwards, alongside a fenced field boundary for much of the way. After about a kilometre and a half you’ll reach a pronounced mound in the woods, this is an ancient hill fort - you can still make out some of the ramparts here. Descend steeply down the other side, and you’ll reach a gateway leading into a field. The path is well marked through the fields, and crosses them directly to the next stile.

After the third field you’ll exit through a gate into an old green lane, lined with huge beech trees. This continues downhill, past some amazing old line kilns, and onto a tarmaced lane which comes out opposite Tintern Abbey. The Abbey itself dates from the 12th Century, though most of the buildings that remain were constructed later, and consecrated in 1301. The is well worth a visit, the scale of the building once inside is incredible. There are plenty of options for refuelling in the village, and the bus from the main road running through will take you back to Chepstow.

Please note this route is for information and inspiration only and we can’t be held responsible for any inaccuracies or problems arising. As this is a remote and unsignposted trail, you should take a paper map and compass and be able to use them. Please be Adventure Smart.