Chepstow Walkers are Welcome

Chepstow Walking Festival 2021?

The Coronavirus vaccine programme is picking up pace, and the tone of official announcements is gradually becoming more positive about the potential for restrictions to start lifting, however clearly there is still quite a long haul before anything approaching pre-Covid group activities will be able to take place.

In order to guarantee a Walking Festival that is both enjoyable and compliant with relevant rules and guidance on Covid security, some key decisions and preparations need to be made well in advance, with our overriding priority being the safety and health of participants and walk leaders. Given the Welsh Government Tier 4 lockdown our usual Easter slot was unavailable, so we are instead planning to hold Chepstow Walking Festival in the Autumn, between Saturday 23rd and Tuesday 26th October, subject of course to any restrictions in place at the time. Further details of the programme and booking arrangements will follow during the Summer.

Of course, no-one can predict how operating conditions will change during the next few months, so we are also considering what other walking activities might be feasible later in Spring, Summer and Autumn. Keep an eye here and on our Facebook page for more details as they become available.

Meanwhile, please stay safe and play your part to Keep Wales Safe by following the current lockdown rules.

Your starting point for walking in Wales and the Wye Valley

Chepstow lies on the border of Wales and England and is an ideal base for walking in Monmouthshire, the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean. With such a diverse landscape there is everything to offer the walker and visitor whether it be a riverside stroll or a challenging walk along a long distance trail. In April 2012 Chepstow received a feather in its cap by becoming the first Walkers are Welcome town in Monmouthshire. The area was already established as a destination for walkers but now Chepstow has achieved Walkers are Welcome status it reinforces our ambition to provide the best walking experience for visitors and the local community alike. This has been recognised when we won the 'Best Social Enterprise' award in the Monmouthshire Business awards.

Lower Wye Rambles

One of our favourite local walking guides and a source of inspiration for many of our walks, this is a gem of a guide which features 16 routes covering 90 miles of the Lower Wye Valley. For details of how to obtain a copy please click here.

Why Chepstow?

Stunning scenery in every direction
Rich industrial heritage
Meeting point for 8 major trails
Easy to reach by public transport
Toll-free access from the motorway network
Fantastic cafés, restaurants and pubs
The Wye Valley Area of Natural Beauty
The Forest of Dean and Wentwood Forest
The Gwent Levels and The Vale of Usk
Do we really need to continue? Ok . . .

Walker friendly accommodation providers may offer special arrangements, perhaps baggage transport to your next destination, drying facilities, picnic lunches or complete walking holiday packages.

Walker friendly local businesses who support the scheme can be identified by display of a unique sticker bearing the Walkers are Welcome Logo. Why not pop in you'll get a warm welcome.

Check out our 'stay, eat and shop' page for details of our business partners, or Visit Monmouthshire for even more inspiration.

Interested in getting involved?
Chepstow Walkers are Welcome is a community group run by volunteers for the benefit of the local community and visitors to the Lower Wye Valley. Our remit includes developing and promoting walking activities, maintaining footpaths, organising the annual Walking Festival and working with supporters and partners including Chepstow Town Council, Monmouthshire County Council and other like-minded organisations for the benefit of the recreational walking community.