Monnow Valley Walk 5-Day Self-Guided Walking Holiday

Discover the peaceful countryside of the Welsh borders and discover the little-known Monnow Valley on this five-day walk from Monmouth to Hay- on- Wye. The tour is gently paced, giving the walker plenty of time to enjoy the medieval castles, wildlife and excellent pubs that make this route so special.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Monmouth.

Day 2: Monmouth to Skenfrith - 8 miles (13 km)
Your walk begins by Monmouth's 700-year old stone bridge, one of a number of historic structures built during the town's medieval heyday. There are plenty more interesting buildings on today's 8-mile walk to Skenfrith, including a 5th century church build in honour of one of King Brychan's forty-nine children! A welcome descent into Skenfrith to finish the day.

Day 3: Skenfrith to Ewyas Harold - 10 miles (16 km)
Be sure to visit Skenfrith's castle - the first of the “Trilateral Castles” and now a quiet ruin surrounded by a perfect carpet of turf. Wander around the unusual, stocky church at the centre of this small village is also recommended before you begin the walk proper, heading northwards (and upwards!) to the pretty village of Grosmont. Here the second castle of the day awaits. Built in the 11th century, the castle is well-preserved and the nearby church contains some beautiful stone carvings and is also worth a visit. Enjoy fantastic views down to the Monnow during the second half of the day.

Day 4: Ewyas Harold to Longtown - 9 miles (14 km)
The bulk of the Black Mountains to the northwest looms closer today, as you continue along the Monnow's course. Once the scene of violent battles between the Welsh and the English, this landscape is dotted with the remnants of medieval castles, bridges at strategic crossings and churches. At Longtown look out for a passage cut into the Black Mountains leading to Llanthony Priory! Myth or reality?

Day 5: Longtown to Craswall - 6 ½ miles (10 miles)
A lovely section of the walk today, with a mixture of old drovers' roads and farm paths. There are fine views of the Cat's Back and Hatterall Ridges. Meanwhile the Monnow Valley Walk happily stays in the sheltered valley!

Day 6: Craswall to Hay- on -Wye - 6 ½ miles (10 km)
You emerge early on the final day into the wide upland pasture beneath Hay Bluff, with the Wye Valley spread out below and the peaks of the Central Beacons visible some twenty miles to the West. Here the route joins the Offa's Dyke Path for a welcome descent to Hay – the “Town of Books” beside the River Wye.

Tour summary:
- Distance: 40 miles (64 km)
- Grading: Easy/Moderate

Contact operator for sole traveller/single occupancy rates.

- Options: Add an extra night at any stage of the tour, prices from 40 Pound Sterling (GBP) per person per night.