Chepstow Walkers are Welcome

Chepstow Walking Festival 2021 is open for business!

Chepstow Walking Festival 2021 is happening between Saturday 23rd to Tuesday 26th October so make a note in your diary now! The programme includes walks of all types, from a gentle stroll around town to a 16 mile tester, and even a short but vertical circular route! Our regular team of local experienced walk leaders and historians are joined this year by the Living Levels Landscape Partnership, the Long Distance Walkers Association, the Wye Valley AONB team and the National Trail Officer for the Offa's Dyke Path, so the programme is simply oozing with interest and expertise, not to mention Autumn colour! For more information have a look at the Festival pages.

Our overriding priority is the safety and health of participants and walk leaders, so we will be continuing to keep a close eye on announcements from the Welsh and UK Governments, and responding to any changes in the Coronavirus guidance and restrictions. As things currently stand though, the outlook is promising for a packed, Covid secure selection of walks in our favourite corner of Wales at this amazing time of year, and tickets are on sale now through our new booking portal.

Looking for something a little sooner? Check out Ross-on-Wye Walking Festival (24-26 September) for some magnificent walking opportunities. For more inspiration and ideas take a look at our events diary and inspiration pages.

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.