Walk Details
This section of the Wye Valley Walk takes us mainly along tracks and field paths with some roadside walking in places. We’re starting in Erwood where parking is available should it be needed although to be sure you don’t miss the last bus back, you might prefer to leave your car at the end of the stage and catch a bus to the start.
We’re starting from Erwood Station where we turn right and walk along the road to the junction with a minor road on the right. Turn right (signposted Boughrood).
Cross the cattle grid and bridge and stay on this road, ignoring turnings off to the left or right. After 3.5km take the first turning on the right, just before the sign for Llanstephan, which leads down to an elegant and very narrow bridge.
Cross the bridge and turn left to walk beside the A470 on the grass verge for a very short distance. At the end of the metal road barrier, opposite Trericket Mill (SO 113 414), turn left through a kissing gate into the field.
Walk along the left hand fence boundary and through a gate into woodland. You’ll go through another gate which takes you into a field. The path continues through fields for about 2.5km, keeping close to the river and passing through a series of pedestrian gates/gateways. Rounding a corner the Black Mountains will suddenly come into view in the distance, whilst to the right you pass Llangoed Hall (best known as the Laura Ashley Hotel), with its red brick walled garden and tall brick chimneys.
Continue along the path and eventually go through a gate onto a tarmac lane at the water treatment works. Stay on this lane until it reaches the B4350 at Boughrood (SO 129 384). Turn left on the road to cross the bridge into Boughrood.
Walk through Boughrood village passing a small shop on the right and continue on past the speed limit signs for a short distance until reaching The Old Rectory, the last house on the right. Turn right down the driveway and follow the Right of Way through The Old Rectory garden and grounds, walking around the house to the right, straight across the lawn beside the house, and through the gate onto a woodland path. Stay on this path above the river, ignoring tracks on the right down to the waterside. Go through the gate into the field and follow the hedge to your left. Here you again get some lovely views towards the Black Mountains ahead of you. Go through another gate and follow the hedge on the left, keeping to the hedge as the track becomes fenced in on the right. Go through two more gates. At the B4350 turn right signposted for Glasbury along a short stretch to Pistyll. Leave the road in front of Pistyll farmhouse through a pedestrian gate on the right, onto a hedge-lined track which opens up into a field.
Follow the hedge on the left and go through another gate. Continue alongside the hedge and into another field, curving round to the right to walk in front of a stone ruin, Pwll-y-baw (Welsh for mucky pool), and enter a tree-lined path. At the gate turn left onto a track (SO 156 384). You may have to open and close a number of gates as you follow this track all the way to Glasbury. You’ll pass a huge oak tree before going through another gate. Here the valley of the River Wye opens out ahead of you, with a wide flood plain and arable fields, in contrast to the steep grassland meadows further north.
Go through another gate, keeping beside the hedge. Walk through the field and keep straight on ignoring gates to either side, through more gateways, and passing Glasbury Farm on the left. Stay on the track through more gates, eventually passing a riverside fishermen’s hut. Go through the gate here and stay on the fenced track, ignoring gates to left and right, to reach the B4350 (SO 175 392). Turn right and walk into Glasbury, passing Foyles hotel and restaurant on the left. Look out for the River Wye Activity Centre on the right, where you can collect your passport stamp at the Paddler’s Rest Café. This stage ends at Glasbury Bridge, so after collecting your stamp continue on the B4350 for a short distance. Bear slightly right to walk through the car park, passing toilets and the Scout Hut, which was opened by Lord Baden Powell, founder of the scouting movement in the 1920s, making this (possibly) the oldest purpose-built scout hut in Wales still in use. Take the ramp up to the A438. Cross the road and turn left along the pavement to enjoy the views from Glasbury Bridge.
The T14 bus runs between Brecon and Builth Wells through Erwood and stops on request on the A470 at Erwood Bridge. The X15 bus service from Builth Wells to Hereford calls at Boughrood village, Erwood and Glasbury (Weds only). There’s also the T4 bus service T4 from Builth Wells to Brecon stops at Erwood (you can also hail it at Erwood Bridge). Please note buses do not run Sundays and public holidays.
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