Wye Valley Walk : Bunkhouses, Hostels and Camping Barns
The Wye Valley Walk is a 136 mile route that takes you from the Welsh border town of Chepstow to Hafren Forest in Mid Wales. It’s a walk of great interest and contrasts which combines superb river and hill walking. You will weave through the magnificent scenery of the Wye Valley AONB before crossing the rolling countryside of Herefordshire and heading up into the hills of Mid Wales into Hafren Forest. Listed below are the independent hostels and bunkhouses along the route offering overnight accommodation.
Hostel accommodation along the Wye Valley Walk
The Wye Valley Walk is a 136 mile route that takes you from the Welsh border town of Chepstow to Hafren Forest in Mid Wales (the nearest town is Llanidloes). It’s a walk of great interest and contrasts which combines superb river and hill walking. You will weave through the magnificent scenery of the Wye Valley AONB before crossing the rolling countryside of Herefordshire and heading up into the hills of Mid Wales into Hafren Forest. There are marker posts for the start/finish at Chepstow Castle and Rhyd-y-benwch car park in Hafren Forest.
For most of the route, you follow the banks of the river Wye, but at intervals some hill climbing is necessary. However, these ascents are rewarded with some spectacular views. As such it is not an extreme route and should be suitable for any reasonably fit walker. This is not at all a boring route, you will pass through densely wooded gorges; riverside meadows; broadleaved woodland; cider orchards, parkland, and farmland; hills, mountains, and open moorland.
Along the route there are a number of independent hostels, offering a warm welcome, hot showers, and a comfortable bed to weary walkers. Some may help with bags, others may serve breakfast and evening meals and send you off with a packed lunch. Many will have pubs nearby serving food or local shops selling provisions. All will have self-catering facilities for you to prepare your own food or to sit down and devour a takeaway. Do read their details and /or talk to them to see what they offer.
Planning is Important
As you plan your accommodation remember to leave extra time for the many stunning views and highlights along the route. The walk takes you past the historic border towns of Monmouth, Hereford, and Hay-on-Wye. As well as the architectural highlights of Chepstow Castle, Tintern Abbey, Goodrich Castle, Hereford Cathedral (home to the Mappa Mundi), and Gilfach Medieval longhouse.
At Hafren Forest the Wye Valley Walk meets the Severn Way, so you can easily extend your walking holiday if time and energy permit.
For more information on the walk try these links:
The official Wye Valley Walk website.
For details of a diversion near Monmouth click here