Walk Details
For stage 14 of the Wye Valley Walk we start with a pretty level path through woodland and across flood plains before the steep slopes on both sides and superb views up to the limestone cliffs of Coldwell Rocks and Symonds Yat Rock – this is a spectacular section!
If you’re leaving your car at the riverside carpark in Symonds Yat East it is possible to catch the hand ferry across the Wye (in front of the Saracen’s Head, runs summer, check times with Saracens Head) and then walk along footpaths and lanes to the Old Court Hotel at Whitchurch.
The no 34 bus stops on the run between Monmouth and Ross. It’s only a short ride before you hop off at Kerne Bridge to start this section.
We’re starting from the Kerne Bridge car park where we walk to the right, towards Bishopswood Village Hall. A path leaves the car park, passing to the left of the hall, along the route of the old Wye Valley Railway line. (Don’t forget to collect your passport stamp from The Inn on the Wye to your right just before you cross Kerne Bridge.)
Pass the old Kerne Bridge Station, which is now a house, to your left. At the B4229 turn left and cross the road to walk along the narrow pavement on Kerne Bridge. In front of you is Flanesford Priory and on the horizon Goodrich Castle. If you would like to visit Goodrich Castle you can make a short detour by continuing along the roadside, taking the path on the left up to and over the bridge, turning right to walk into Goodrich village and then turn right up to the castle.
At the end of Kerne Bridge cross the road again and take the steps down into the field, to follow the riverside path. The path takes you up some steps into woodland. Ignore track off to right. You will soon see the canoe launch on the opposite bank beside the remains of the railway bridge. At the house, keep to the river bank. The path can be slippery after rain with slides down to the river so please watch your step (unless you’re after an early bath!). The path leaves Thomas Wood and enters the Courtfield Estate through a gate (where you are welcome to pretend you’re a horse and take the jump option). Continue alongside the Wye through floodplain meadows, over a stile and keep left along the riverbank where the track forks. The path follows the Wye as it makes a sweeping loop. After crossing another stile look to the right to see the buildings of Courtfield on the hill to your right.
The steeple of Welsh Bicknor Church will soon be visible in the distance alongside the old Victorian rectory, now the Wye Valley Youth Hostel.
Go over two stiles to walk along the left edge of the camping field. Stay on the path and at the apple trees in front of the church keep left, taking a small path to follow the riverbank. Don’t head up to the YHA (unless of course they’re open for refreshments or you’re staying there).
Stay on the riverside path until reaching Lydbrook railway bridge, where the path curves up to the right to access the bridge. Cross the bridge and take the steps down, turning left to walk under the bridge. You soon pass a slipway (note the sign!) and fisherman’s hut. The path goes through a gate and into a long field following the river bank.
At the end of this long field go left through the kissing gate and up steps to join the old railway line. Turn right, go through a gate and follow the old railway line. The view opens out after about 1 km. If the scenery looks familiar that’s because this area featured in the film Shadowlands about C.S. Lewis, (author of The Chronicles of Narnia). In front of you are the towering cliffs of Coldwell Rocks, where Wye Tourists disembarked from their tour boats to climb up to Symonds Yat Rock.
At the end of the field, go through the gate and continue along a forestry track for just under 1km. The track starts to climb after passing a track on the left leading up to a house. Now look out for a flight of steps on the left, which you take climbing on a narrow path until reaching a junction and a signpost to Yat Rock ¼ mile. Turn right for Yat Rock, passing alongside a house on your left and turning left when you reach a parking area and two strips of concrete track. At the road go straight across to walk along a path signed for Yat Rock. Turn left at the next junction signed Yat Rock and continue up a steep section, which comes out near the Symonds Yat Rock Café, a log cabin with outdoor tables. To reach the viewpoint, go left over the wooden walkway bridge up to Yat Rock. Please note that your OS map may show a low level route around Huntsham Hill rather than the official route up the steep climb to Symonds Yat Rock. This path is no longer safe, so if you want to avoid the climb to Yat Rock stay on the main forestry track (do not take tracks on the right leading down to the river) which will take you round to join the road and riverside footpath into Symonds Yat East.
After taking in the view and enjoying a drink at the log cabin café, retrace your route down to the first junction of paths. Turn left signposted for Symonds Yat East. Turn left at the next junction, in front of ‘The Chalet’, a characterful wooden house which featured in the NetFlix hit Sex Education, which was filmed in the lower Wye Valley. Unless the river is very low you will soon hear the rapids. At the bottom, adjacent to the car park, turn right to walk along the road and reach the Saracens Head Inn on the right and the hand ferry on the left, where this stage ends. You can collect your passport stamp at the Saracens Head.
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