email: info@embarkwalkingholidays.com Tel:01873 379100 Mob:07399 330178
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. 2025 saw the 50th anniversary of the walking path and with it a new guide book, detailing the walk from source to sea. Allowing for walkers to have an easy departure at the end of their holiday from Chepstow, where there is access to public transport
The full route starts at the source of the River Wye on the remote hillside of Rhyd-y-Benwch and finishes in the historic Town of Chepstow.
This is an easy to moderate walk with some more challenging sections. , largely following alongside the Wye River. Suited to beginners of long distance walking as well as those more experienced.
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 the mighty Hereford Cathedral housing the Mappa Mundi, the scenic Symonds Yat Rock, the famous Tintern Abbey, and the well-preserved Chepstow Castle.
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.
- Saturday 16th to Sunday 17th May 2026~~Builth Wells Smallholding and countryside festival~~Builth Wells and surrounding area
Thursday 21st to Sunday 31st May 2026~~Hay-on-Wye Book Festival~~Hay-on Wye and surrounding area
Monday 20th to Thursday 23rd July 2026~~Royal Welsh Show~~Builth Wells and surrounding area
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, 16 or 18 nights. From £1580.00 per person
Wye Valley Walk.
South Section.
Walking from Hay-on-Wye
77 miles/ 124km
Walking from 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 Hay-on-Wye and Chepstow. This walk includes the opportunity to visit Hay-on-Wye castle, Hereford Cathedral and Chepstow Castle. Over 8 or 10 nights from £980.00 per person
Or walk the slightly shorter route starting in Hereford over 6 or 7 nights from £770.00 per person.
Wye Valley Walk.
North Section.
Walking to Hay-on-Wye
62 miles/ 100km
Walking from Hereford
85 miles/ 137km
This route is classed as moderate to challenging in places
Walking the Northern section of the Wye Valley Walk. Covering the 61 miles between Rhyd-y-Benwch and Hay-on-Wye. Over 6 or 7 nights from £770.00 per person.
Or walk the longer route which finishes at Hereford covering 85 miles over 8 nights.
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.
See our tips below for some choice places to stop for that extra day.
Rhayader
The pretty market town of Rhayader is a great place to spend a rest day. 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.
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.
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.
Chepstow
Giving yourself an extra day to explore Chepstow, at the end of 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.
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.
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.