TWO GREAT WALKS

In our Welcome Pack, at the Cottage, we’ve provided details of things to do in the area, including walks.

The maps below aren’t at the cottage, so we recommend you print them off before you come to stay.

They’re two walks we really enjoy, between 3 – 5 hours, both including a Pub stop!

We’ve tried to provide as much detail as we can so you can find your way; if you use the maps and have any feedback for improving them, please let us know.

Enjoy!

Great Walk, Amazing Views, River Bank and a Pub to Finish!

Time/Difficulty: 2-3 Hours, a bit of a climb but mostly easy!

Start/Finish – Goodrich Castle/Hostelrie Pub (Tips Check Hostelrie opening times and plan your walk accordingly, if weather is good, take a swimming costume for a dip in the River Wye!) 1 START Park at Hostelrie Hotel car park or Church and marked footpath back to start 8 nearby, walk back on yourself, you’ll pass a school on the right, take left fork toward Welsh Bicknor. Walk uphill, over bridge, you should have great views of Kerne Bridge on your left. Keep going for about 200 mtrs 7 Walk uphill along the road about 100 mtrs, at this stage either stay on road and walk back to your car; or see Footpath sign 2 At this junction, you’ll see steps going up on left, turn left uphill through field, and through woods to your right; follow these bear right along lane to Church (marked on steps/path to the top of the ridge. map) and then following path (marked) toward the school where you started. This route is a bit fiddly but worth it. Then back to your car, or a pint and sandwich at The 3 Keep climbing along a fairly well defined Hostelrie. path, toward a ‘Trig Point’, marked 188. Trig Point is a small concrete pillar marking the high point of the hill. From this point, having marvelled at the views toward The Brecons and Hay Bluff. Look up hill and 6 At this point, as you approach Huntsham you’ll see a disused building (marked ‘The Bridge – Green Bridge across the Wye – you Folly’ on the map. Make for that point, then have a choice, follow the path past the follow your noses along and down the house in front of you to the road near the ridge (Coppet Hill marked on map), see bridge and turn right along the road and green dashes/path on map then right again toward Goodrich. Or turn right before the house, whilst still on the River bank, and follow footpath toward ‘Rocklands Farm’ (marked on map). Walk through farm and out through their main gate – the Farm is interesting, there should be plenty of Ponies and Horses.

4 Eventually, the path will descend through trees to the River Wye, climb over a Style and turn right along the River. As you do, you’ll see the imposing Yat Rock across the 5 The path may not be distinct but, having river – keep an eye out for Peregrine turned right from the end of the ridge, you Falcons which nest there. just need to follow the River. Take a dip or paddle if the weather is good! Round Trip to Symonds Yat and back – 4 or 5 Hours. A couple of fairly steep climbs but mainly easy walking. At Symonds Yat, there are plenty of places to eat + a good pub. On a good day, you could take a dip in the River! The Outward Route is a bit complicated, but if you can read a map, you should be okay – if not, we hope our directions help! Take OS map 1 Outward Route – to Symonds Yat. from lounge dresser if you wish. Start by driving to layby opposite Lydbrook Foortball Club (Stowfield Rd 2 Walk short distance along GL17 9PD). Park in layby. Telephone road to entrance for Stowfield Box sign on map Farm (not Business Park). It looks like private drive but it is the path. 8 Turn right along road for 200/300 mtrs, 3 Follow path past houses and up under bridge (Yat Rock – worth a visit if you to field, make your way toward have time). Immediately after bridge, turn Little Collins Grove, & Malway left, down steps/path and follow your noses Grove (both marked on map). Then to Symonds Yat. You should come out in to road – gate onto road front of The Royal Lodge Hotel. Turn right, down to The Saracens Head – good pub for beer and food.

4 Walk along road to English Bicknor, turn right into Church and then into School Grounds (yes path goes through School).

Then left in playground and out of school entrance onto road. NB Theres an old Motte & Bailey Castle just outside/behind the school.

6 From the ‘Kissing Gate’, 5 Walk downhill on road toward Bicknor follow path past house/farm, Court, at T Junction at bottom of hill, turn 7 At this point, the track/path and Needle Rock (marked) and right for about 20/30 mtrs, and you’ll see a ends, there isn’t a distinct path then on to Redinhorne (also Footpath sign up into woods. Follow that path on to Redinhorne. Basically, marked. up – to ‘Kissing Gate’ at top. you need to walk uphill, diagonally toward the road. 9 Return Route – Retrace your route 10 The route/path through the woods is back up hill, past The Royal Lodge Hotel. fairly well marked but not brilliant – just But rather than turning right to the keep heading down until you come to a bridge, keep straight on to top of road – well defined path/you should see the where you should see some old Kilns River – and turn right along the path. and a house – walk across the road Basically, youre heading for this path between the kilns and the house – and back along the river (Wye Valley Way) down hill through the woods

12 Eventually, you’ll see a disused Inductrial Site on the right, follow the path past the site, through the Football Ground up to the road where you should find your car!!

11 It’s an easy walk from here, follow the River bank/path for an hour or 1 ½ hours – up river back toward the starting point.