The classic Wye Valley paddle from Glasbury through Hay, Hereford, Ross and Symonds Yat to the tidal finish at Chepstow.
About
From Glasbury Bridge the Wye runs through book-town Hay, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and the gorge at Symonds Yat, then past Monmouth toward Chepstow and the Severn Estuary. Challenge packs often quote about 85 miles to Redbrook and around 100 miles if you continue to Chepstow.
Most of the river is gentle Grade 1 with a well-known Grade 2 at Symonds Yat. Below Brockweir the river becomes tidal; bank access gets harder and tide planning matters. This map follows Glasbury to Old Wye Bridge, Chepstow.
History
The Wye has long been celebrated for scenery and ruins, from Tintern Abbey to Chepstow Castle. It forms much of the England-Wales border and remains one of the most popular multi-day open-canoe tours in Britain, with busy hire traffic on the middle reaches in summer.
Stages
- Glasbury to Hereford
- Hereford to Symonds Yat
- Symonds Yat to Chepstow