Chepstow Walkers are Welcome

10 Walks for our 10th Anniversary!

Chepstow was first awarded Walkers are Welcome status in 2012, coinciding with the launch of the Wales Coast Path which starts (or terminates, if you prefer) near the Wye Bridge. More information about the Wales Coast Path and special events marking its first ten years can be found by clicking on the logo.

With Chepstow Walking Festival 2022 now well behind us, thoughts have turned to how to acknowledge our own tenth anniversary and what better way to do this than organising 10 of our favourite walks?

The monthly programme started on 26 June with a walk themed to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, and goes through to next March by when we'll be in the final stages of preparing for Chepstow Walking Festival 2023 (between 12-16 April - make a note in your diary!). Not all the details are ready to be shared yet, but we'll be including walks from around the Lower Wye including our own celebration of the Wales Coast Path in our 'patch'. Keep an eye on our events listing page, our social medias or sign up for our mailing list to find out more.

The first walk was our 'Jubilee Jaunt' across the Severn Bridge and was thoroughly enjoyed by all despite the sudden squall halfway across. This walk across the Wye and Severn was greatly enhanced by the closure of the bridge to traffic for the weekend, which meant none of the usual noise and fumes from passing traffic. A Royal picnic of cucumber sandwiches and Union Flag fairy cakes awaited the group at the Aust viewpoint, and a toast was raised to the Queen and to recognise the tenth anniversary of Chepstow Walkers are Welcome. Sincere thanks must go to Helen Kenneally for not only leading the event but also marshalling her team of helpers to prepare the sandwiches and cakes. A great afternoon of good company and fresh air.

Details of walk 2 on 23 July will be published shortly.

If you are looking for more ideas to get outdoors take a look at our events diary and inspiration pages. The events diary includes links to the very best of nearby Walking Festivals; for those looking for a walking staycation later in the year, or for events further afield take a look at the Walkers are Welcome UK website.

We've also received an exciting new selection of walks published by our good friends at the Living Levels Landscape Partnership, aimed at discovering the magic of the Gwent Levels. The walk routes can be downloaded from the LLLP website here.

Also on the subject of walking further afield, you may have seen a feature about the the Slow Ways project recently on BBC Countryfile. This is an ambitious programme which started during the Covid lockdowns and aims to create a national, sustainable walking network connecting towns, cities and villages. If you'd like to get involved, or for more information go to the Slow Ways website.

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.

To obtain a copy online click here or, if you're in town, pop into the wonderful Chepstow Books & Gifts in St Mary Street.

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.