This winter, embrace the great outdoors and explore the spectacular countryside of Herefordshire, The Marches and Symonds Yat. With stunning landscapes, enchanting woodlands, and breath-taking views, the best way to experience it all is on foot. Here are some our favourite winter walks that will inspire you to leave the warmth of your hearth, step outside, and blow those cobwebs away.
Three Choirs Way
Three Choirs Way is a scenic route connecting Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester, passing through hop-yards, vineyards, and orchards. The walk is themed around the ancient Three Choirs Music Festival, which is still celebrated annually in the three cathedrals and will take place in Hereford in 2025.
The route crosses the rivers Severn, Wye, Teme, and Lugg, as well as the Marcle and Malvern Ridges and the Suckley Hills. This glorious walk offers a journey through the attractive and varied countryside of the three counties, with the option to start in any of them and to do as little or as much as you like of the 100-mile walk!
Haugh Woods
The ancient woodland at Haugh Woods is a haven for cyclists, walkers, nature lovers and photographers. With over 850 acres of walking, cycling, and butterfly trails, it is a popular destination for families and dog walkers.
Haugh Woods is nationally important for butterflies and moths, with over 600 species recorded, making it one of the top 10 woods in the country. It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Visitors are encouraged to wrap up and enjoy discovering the hidden beauties of this pretty woodland this winter.
Queenswood Country Park and Arboretum
One of the loveliest places for a peaceful walk, Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum has breathtaking views and the changing seasons in this 123-acre ancient woodland are simply divine. The arboretum, a 47-acre tree collection with over 1,200 rare and exotic trees, is an absolute delight. This enchanting woodland is a fragment of the oak wood that once stretched to the Welsh borders and beyond. Don’t forget to visit the spectacular viewpoint with views from, the Malvern Hills in the East to the Black Mountains in the West.
Nature flourishes here, providing a dramatic show of colours, fragrances, and wildlife throughout the year. Generations of Herefordshire families have brought their children to explore nature, walk their dogs, and enjoy time together.
It is one of those wonderful places that you just don’t want to leave, making it perfect for a winter stroll. The café and toilets open regularly and there is plenty of benches to sit and enjoy a picnic while the children enjoy the woodland play area with slides, swinging ropes and lots of climbing areas. To encourage a family walk, why not follow the sculpture Gruffalo Trail and complete the quiz available from the visitor centre.
Once part of the Hampton Court Estate during the 17C, Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum is now designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Local Nature Reserve (LNR).
Offa’s Dyke
In the northwest of Herefordshire, the countryside is deeply rural, featuring breathtaking landscapes, rolling hills, ancient woods, forests, and water meadows. If you’re ready for a good walk, head to Offa’s Dyke.
Built in the 8C, Offa’s Dyke is an ancient earthwork boundary between England and Wales. It runs for 80 miles between the Wye Valley and Wrexham and was constructed by order of King Offa of the ancient kingdom of Mercia, who reigned from AD 757 to 796.
Offa seized power during a time of great unrest, with frequent skirmishes between the English and the Welsh. In a bid to quell the unruly Welsh and as a show of power, he built one of Britain’s most outstanding structures, Offa’s Dyke.
The Offa’s Dyke Path, a National Trail, follows the line of the dyke and traverses some of the most beautiful countryside, offering outstanding panoramic views. The superb walks through the Herefordshire and Wye Valley section will warm you up and make you glad you ventured outdoors.
The Wye Valley Walk, Herefordshire
The Wye Valley Walk is a characteristic local trail that follows the river valley from Monmouthshire to the slopes of Plynlimon in Powys. It passes through the Wye Valley National Landscape, Ross-on-Wye, Symonds Yat, Hereford, and Hay-on-Wye. The Herefordshire section of the walk is particularly glorious, featuring rolling lush landscapes, fields, woodland glades, and traditional Herefordshire orchards.
This walk offers the perfect opportunity to explore some of Herefordshire’s quaint Black-and-White Villages and to quench your thirst at some of the lovely hostelries along the route. Be sure to take a moment to enjoy the gorgeous views.
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St Thomas Way
The St Thomas Way is a series of circular hiking paths in the Welsh Marches, inspired by the medieval warrior who supposedly came back to life after being executed for fighting against the English. These trails range from 2 to 8 miles, perfect for both strolls and hikes.
In Herefordshire, the trail features several historically rich locations. Explore the Norman church in Kilpeck with its 12th-century Romanesque carvings and the lost medieval village. Discover Longtown village and its castle amidst the stunning Black Mountains. Start your journey in Hereford City, where the shrine of St Thomas Cantilupe is in Hereford Cathedral.
Launched in 2018, The St Thomas Way has become popular with walkers and historians alike, offering a blend of historical exploration and the beauty of Herefordshire’s landscapes.
Symonds Yat
Symonds Yat, located at the gateway between South Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, is renowned for its stunning river scenery. This Area of Natural Beauty straddles the River Wye and is filled with beautiful, wooded expanses, natural landscapes, and captivating wildlife, making it an ideal spot for an autumn adventure.
For a bird’s eye view, head up to Symonds Yat Rock, which towers 120 meters above the river. From this vantage point, you can spot peregrine falcons, goshawks, ospreys, and buzzards at different times of the year. The views from here are simply magical.
Symonds Yat is perfect for walking enthusiasts, offering a variety of trails that showcase the area’s natural beauty and wildlife. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a more challenging hike, this location provides an unforgettable experience.
As you read through our suggestions and/or maybe go on one of suggested winter walks, why start planning for the Spring and Summer here in Herefordshire where you will find Walking Festivals galore, including:
Kington Walks Festival
Ross-On-Wye Walking Festival
Herefordshire Walking Festival
Malvern Walking Festival
As well as this a visit or stay in Herefordshire, The Marches or The Wye Valley will always include Spectacular Views, Breathtaking Nature Reserves, Historic Rambles, Pilgrimage Routes and many more famous Trails.