Wye Valley Cliffs, Caves, Castle, Abbey and the 69 Bus
6 people attending
12 places left
Those of us with private transport will leave the Tintern Abbey car park (£3 including a coupon for £3 redeemable at the nearby pub) at 9:30am to get the 9:47am bus (£2:65; exact change only) to Chepstow Bus station, where we will meet those arriving by public transport at 10:05am.
We will then explore Chepstow going through the town centre to view the 1816 Regency cast iron Wye Bridge, then up by the river to Chepstow Castle. Then we follow the Wye Valley walk, trying to spot the severely decayed remnants of the Alcove, the Platform, the Grotto, the Double View and the Druids Temple and small caves as we head towards the Giants Cave.
We will pass through the Giant’s cave and the Cold Bath (see photo) to get to the Lower Wyndcliff. From here we will waft our way up the cliff via the 365 steps and on to the Eagles Nest view point to see the Wye valley, Chepstow, both Severn Bridges and England (described by Coleridge as “the whole world imaged in its vast circumference”). Then along the top of the cliff, followed by a steep, rocky, tree root infested descent to Tintern Abbey, with time to spare, for those using public transport to get 15:47 bus back to Chepstow.
What to bring
Please review the Outdoorlads kit lists for a general guide. The route will sometimes be muddy, sometimes rocky and sometimes steep and root infested, but mostly fairly good paths. Hiking boots, waterproofs, sun protection, a small rucksack and food and drink are recommended. If you wear trainers, they need to have a deep tread pattern.
Food & drink
Bring enough food and drink for the event. We will stop a few times for snacks and lunch during the walk and may visit a pub adjacent to Tintern Abbey at the end of the walk.