The Great Outdoors
Sightseeing
Known to locals as The Cat's Back, probably because of how narrow the path gets at the summit. This walk takes around 2-3 hours and is a fair climb & descent whichever way you tackle it. A round walk from the small car park, we prefer to start from the valley and come back along the peak dropping back down to the car. The views are stunning all along the way with sheep and ponys to keep you company. You can be very exposed to the elements so take appropriate clothing. Takes around a 40 minute drive from Smithy Cottage.
9 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Black Hill
Known to locals as The Cat's Back, probably because of how narrow the path gets at the summit. This walk takes around 2-3 hours and is a fair climb & descent whichever way you tackle it. A round walk from the small car park, we prefer to start from the valley and come back along the peak dropping back down to the car. The views are stunning all along the way with sheep and ponys to keep you company. You can be very exposed to the elements so take appropriate clothing. Takes around a 40 minute drive from Smithy Cottage.
Arthur’s Stone; a Neolithic chambered tomb, is over 5,000 years old. Today only the large stones of the inner chamber remain, though these were once covered by a long earthen mound. Can be a destination or incorporated into a walk.
18 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone LaneArthur’s Stone; a Neolithic chambered tomb, is over 5,000 years old. Today only the large stones of the inner chamber remain, though these were once covered by a long earthen mound. Can be a destination or incorporated into a walk.
A beautiful walk in the newly accessible park. A 5 minute drive from Smithy Cottage up Dorstone Hill there is a small car park and a round walk which gives absolutely stunning views of the area. Around an hours walking, lots of well kept pathways and trails through the woodland if you prefer.
Moccas Hill Wood - Moccas Park National Nature Reserve
Pentre LaneA beautiful walk in the newly accessible park. A 5 minute drive from Smithy Cottage up Dorstone Hill there is a small car park and a round walk which gives absolutely stunning views of the area. Around an hours walking, lots of well kept pathways and trails through the woodland if you prefer.
This circular walk in Powys is along one of the most spectacular sections of the Offa's Dyke long distance path. There are great views of Lord Hereford's Knob peak across the valley. The middle part of the walk is a simple 'there and back' arm of the route, meaning you can go on as far as you wish (to lengthen or shorten the route). The path actually extends along the ridge for a few more miles. You can admire views over the Cats Back (Black Hill), on to the Malvern Hills and miles into England. Having retraced your steps along the middle 'arm', the descent follows the other side of Hay Bluff with views towards Hay-on-Wye and the Golden Valley.
This is not a walk to do in poor weather or when visibility is poor. The route begins with a steep ascent but is then flat followed by a gentler descent. There are no stiles or gates but you will need to jump across 3 or 4 little streams on the return leg, hence walking boots are essential. After the steep ascent onto the Bluff, you hit the main Offa's Dyke path. This is either well-graveled or, in some places, it has huge sandstone slabs across the peat bog moor. It is a peat bog and very wet, so always stay on the main path. You will be sharing some of the paths with ponies and sheep so take care with dogs. Allow 3 hours. Its about a 20-30 minute drive from Smithy Cottage.
56 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Hay Bluff
This circular walk in Powys is along one of the most spectacular sections of the Offa's Dyke long distance path. There are great views of Lord Hereford's Knob peak across the valley. The middle part of the walk is a simple 'there and back' arm of the route, meaning you can go on as far as you wish (to lengthen or shorten the route). The path actually extends along the ridge for a few more miles. You can admire views over the Cats Back (Black Hill), on to the Malvern Hills and miles into England. Having retraced your steps along the middle 'arm', the descent follows the other side of Hay Bluff with views towards Hay-on-Wye and the Golden Valley.
This is not a walk to do in poor weather or when visibility is poor. The route begins with a steep ascent but is then flat followed by a gentler descent. There are no stiles or gates but you will need to jump across 3 or 4 little streams on the return leg, hence walking boots are essential. After the steep ascent onto the Bluff, you hit the main Offa's Dyke path. This is either well-graveled or, in some places, it has huge sandstone slabs across the peat bog moor. It is a peat bog and very wet, so always stay on the main path. You will be sharing some of the paths with ponies and sheep so take care with dogs. Allow 3 hours. Its about a 20-30 minute drive from Smithy Cottage.
Walking
Crossing the border between England and Wales, 136 miles of superb river and hill walking following the River Wye through the riverside meadows, ancient woodland, apple orchards and arable fields, hills, mountains and open moorland. Buzzards, bluebells, bats, peregrine falcons and red kites make this a walk full of wildlife interest, whilst bluebells in spring and autumn leaves create seasonal delights.
Starting at Chepstow, the Walk weaves through the magnificent scenery of the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, crosses the rolling countryside of Herefordshire and heads up into the mountains of Mid Wales to the Wye’s source on the slopes of Plynlimon. Along the way the Walk passes 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 and Gilfach Medieval longhouse.
Wye Valley Walks
13 Holywell ClCrossing the border between England and Wales, 136 miles of superb river and hill walking following the River Wye through the riverside meadows, ancient woodland, apple orchards and arable fields, hills, mountains and open moorland. Buzzards, bluebells, bats, peregrine falcons and red kites make this a walk full of wildlife interest, whilst bluebells in spring and autumn leaves create seasonal delights.
Starting at Chepstow, the Walk weaves through the magnificent scenery of the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, crosses the rolling countryside of Herefordshire and heads up into the mountains of Mid Wales to the Wye’s source on the slopes of Plynlimon. Along the way the Walk passes 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 and Gilfach Medieval longhouse.