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| Monmouth is the
civilized bit in the middle of the Wye gorge, with broad,
flattish farmland on the western side. From here south, the
river cuts a more precipitous swathe through the Forest of
Dean. |
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| Park
in the Blestium Street car park (opposite Waitrose) and head
out of town on the new bridge over the Monnow. Turn left
towards the A40 and then right up the hill on the Trelleck
road. The road crosses the bypass just above the twin road
tunnels and dips down towards the Wye again. |
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| At the first
sharp corner leave the road via the track on the left that
leads down to Troy Farm. Just before the farm you cross the
Afon Troddi on its way to meet the larger river. |
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| Go straight through the farm
and just before the buildings run out turn left towards the
gate to a farm track heading east. |
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| After a couple
of zigs and zags you come out into open fields. Down the slope
you should be able to see a gate into the broad field that
runs down to the river. |
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| Follow the line
of the fence towards the Livox Woods and your first sight of
the river. |
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| The path bobs up
and down a bit for 360m and then emerges into a long curving
field. |
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| Then through a
small gate into scrubby ground where the trees start to march
down the slope towards the river. |
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| Round a stile
and into Washing’s Wood. |
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| Carry on along
the bank and the obvious path into Redbrook. |
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| Pass the Boat
Inn (if you must)… |
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| …and take the
metal walkway that clings to the side of the old railway
bridge. |
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| At the other
end, the walkway dips down and passes under the rail track. |
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| You are now,
however briefly, in England. Turn left and look for a couple
of benches which mark the gate which leads back down to the
riverside. This is the official Wye Valley Walk. |
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| Head north along
the river until the path brings you out onto the main Chepstow
to Monmouth road which, alas, you have to brave for 250m. At
the first opportunity, turn left down a track that leads into
a long pasture. |
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| 800m further on,
you pass in front of a river monitoring station building and
then enter a short bit of woodland. |
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| Back in open
fields again, the path curves round with the river towards
Wyesham. |
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| Past the sewage
works and into a wooded track close to the river, you walk
under two bits of industrial heritage; a stone viaduct (with
the span missing)… |
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| …and a metal
railway bridge. |
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| Now on the edge
of Monmouth School playing fields, you should be able to see
the old Wye bridge on the left. |
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| At the Coleford
road, turn left over the bridge and cross to the north side.
Take the subway under the bypass and on to Wyebridge Street.
Turn left into Almshouse Street and right at the end past the
Blake Theatre. Pass the Glendower Street car park and the
music school into Saint John’s Street and make your way
along to Monnow Street. A left here will take you back to and
your start point. |
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