Hay-On-Wye and the Golden Valley

Hay-on-Wye and the Golden Valley 1 Hay-on-Wye and the Warren 80 6 Longtown and If you need an antidote to bookshops, the Mynydd Merddin 90 try this riverside stroll Explore the Monnow Valley and the less-frequented high pastures on the 2 Merbach Hill and Arthur’s Stone 82 edge of the Black Mountains The climb may be long, but the views go on and on too – save this one for a 7 Ewyas Harold Common 92 clear day Historic village and ancient common 9 combine to make this a stroll to take 3 Vagar Hill 84 your time over You’ll most likely have the views all to yourself from these high fields and 8 Garway Hill and Jack O’Kent 94 open moorland Walk in the footsteps of a folklore giant and see seven counties from one 4 Peterchurch and Blakemere Hill 86 of the best viewpoints in the Wander through woods and fields southern Marches high above the Golden Valley 5 Black Hill and the Olchon Valley 88 A short walk that has it all – an airy ridge, fine views and a hidden valley 79 X1 HAY-ON-WYE AND THE GOLDEN VALLEY Hay-on-Wye and the Warren Distance 3.5km Time 1 hour ‘grove’. For centuries it was a market town Terrain town lanes and riverside paths surrounded by its walls and dominated by Map OS Explorer OL13 Access bus (39) the Norman castle, whose walls and keep, from Hereford and Brecon albeit subsequently significantly altered, still tower over Castle Street. However, it is When you’ve had your fill of the now best known for its plethora of bookshops and cafes, try this short bookshops. New, secondhand and riverside meander – it’s also perfect for antiquarian shops litter the town and you children and there’s even a beach. can find just about any volume you would The town of Hay-on-Wye lies right on the wish in the 30 or so that now operate here English-Welsh border, and literally so, as – even the castle and the old cinema have now the centre and the western parts of been converted. the town lie in Wales, while some houses From the main car park by the tourist in the eastern part are in England. In fact, information centre, turn right along the town used to be known as English Hay Oxford Road by the side of Hay Castle’s and the countryside to the west of the northern wall and down past the Bethesda town as Welsh Hay, with the Welsh name Church to the eastern edge of town. At the for the town being Y-Gelli, which means bend, the route doglegs left along Lion 80 HAY-ON-WYE AND THE WARREN In the former grounds of Hay Castle Street and then right down beside the Old Near the apex of the meander, it’s best Black Lion pub. At the fork in this narrow to take the upper path over the headland lane, bear left and follow the path along and away from the water’s edge. At a stile the line of the town’s medieval walls. A few cross over and bear left for 100m on a path remnants are still visible just before the that shadows the fence and stone wall to B4350 and the former Newport Gate. a vehicle track. Here, a right turn will The route crosses the road and heads soon bring you to the buttresses of a down Wyeford Road to the river, where a bridge of the disused railway, which is left turn takes you under the roadbridge now a cycle route. and along a pleasant tree-lined path above Turn left along the disused railway and the Wye. At the gate into the Warren keep after 500m look out for a small waterfall on right. The path soon comes down to the the right, where a path to its left takes you water’s edge and leaves the trees behind, up past the grassy mound of Hay’s old before skirting around the wide open space motte and bailey castle. From here, a left of the meander. It’s a delightful spot for a turn leads back to the town centre. picnic, and people come here to paddle and swim, when river conditions allow. 81.

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