Wye Valley Walk – Fownhope to Ross-on-Wye

Picture of river

From Fownhope the route is a mixture of woodland and farmland, passing through Lea and Pagets Wood SSSI, which has some of the finest broadleaved woodlands in the Wye Valley AONB. The walk then crosses farmland to join the Wye at How Caple. A 3km section of narrow tarmac lane is followed to the delightfully named ‘Hole in the Wall’, continuing on past Foy suspension bridge (which provides easy access to pretty St Mary’s Church).

Soon after the bridge join a mostly level footpath which leads all the way to Ross, following a short section of old railway track further along. In summer look out for sand martins nesting on the opposite bank at Backney Common. The path continues past Ross Rowing Club to reach the Hope & Anchor pub. Note, the farmland between How Caple and Ross-on-Wye can be very muddy in wet weather.

 

ROUTE FACTS

Start: Fownhope 759 yards (700m) from village centre
Finish: Hope & Anchor, Ross-on-Wye
Distance: 10.5 miles (16.9 km)
Time: approx 6 hr
Height ascent:1033ft (315m)
OS Map: Explorer 189 Hereford & Ross-on-Wye