Walk Details
This stage has some lovely easy riverside walking with a steep climb, and subsequent descent just after Llowes.
There is ample parking in Hay-on Wye including the Oxford Road car park at the end of this stage so you can catch the T14 bus to Glasbury at the start of this section and not worry about catching the last bus back!
We’re starting on the north side of Glasbury Bridge, taking the steps down to the left immediately before the river. We’re then going to walk through the field beside an avenue of poplar trees full of mistletoe.
Pass the water treatment works and go through a gate, turning right to walk along the field edge passing through a series of gates until you reach a concrete water trough on your left. Now head diagonally left across the field to a gate in the far corner of the field. Go through the gate, cross the old road, through another gate and then up to the A438 (SO 179 401). Turn right to walk on the grass verge for 800m. After the uphill section levels out, turn left after Little Mill Cottages to walk up a lane. Keep climbing and where the tarmac stops continue on the gravel track walking between buildings at Brynyrhydd Farm. After the last barn on the right, turn right straight away and walk along a walled path with views towards the Black Mountains. At the end of this short walled section turn right. The path goes through scrubby woodland with some veteran trees eventually emerging through a gate into a field looking towards the hamlet of Llowes, with lovely views of Hay Bluff and Lord Hereford’s Knob or Twmpa. Walk downhill to the right of the fence heading for the houses. Go through a gate in the left corner of the field, then over a stile and through a kissing gate to come out on the road. Turn right and walk down past the houses, turning left over a bridge and into the churchyard of St Meilig’s Church.
Walk past the church and leave the churchyard through the kissing gate. Cross the lane to take a track to the left up to a gate into the field. Follow the track uphill to the right, leading up to the woods. Here you’ll want to pause for a moment and look back at the amazing views behind you (and take the opportunity to catch your breath!). Go through the gateway and stay on the track climbing to a stile into another field. Cross the stile and follow the hedge on the left. From the top of this field take the opportunity to again admire the view behind you of the Bannau Brycheiniog/Brecon Beacons. Go through the gate and follow the hedge on the left past Briwnant to a gate, with a communication mast visible in the distance. Go through the gate and head straight across the field towards a gate hidden between two trees. Turn right before the gate and follow the hedge downhill to woodland, to go through another gate. Walk diagonally downhill towards the A438, crossing a wet gully. Skirt around the forestry on the left and head very steeply diagonally downhill, heading to the roadside fence beyond the cattle feeder.
Go through the pedestrian gate, cross the A438 and through another gate to walk along a track which soon meets the riverside path. Turn left to continue beside the river for about 1.8km (just over 1 mile) eventually passing a house opposite The Warren. Soon afterwards look for a footbridge on the right which leads into the wood, following a path uphill past a tall retaining wall for Wyecliff on the left. Go through the gate to a surprise view of Hay Castle and the town. Keep left through the field (sometimes a camping field), following the hedge on your left up to the B4351. Turn right, and cross the road to walk on the pavement (also the route of Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail) to Hay Bridge, the end of this stage.
Hay on Wye is certainly worth spending some time in – especially if you consider yourself a bookworm as you’ll find a bookshop on pretty much every corner!
Read more ...
