Duchess Ride and Trellech Beacon Walk in the Wye Valley

Duchess Mile track, Pen-y-fan. This forest track now forms part of the Wye Valley Walk. This stretch was supposedly made for the Duchess of Beaufort in the 18th Century as a carriage ride. There are fantastic views over the Wye valley through the trees on the left. We did the walk yesterday mostly in warm sunshine.

Trellech Beacon Hill Forest Walk near Chepstow

High above the Wye on the Trellech Plateau, commanding a magnificent panorama is Trellech Beacon also known as Beacon Hill.

It can be approached from the village of Trellech and any trip to the viewpoint could be easily combined with a wander around the village, which in the middle ages was among the largest settlement in Wales. Head for and park in the Forestry Commission car park, located about half a mile outside of Trellech. The Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Tourism Association have developed a circular walk that takes in some of the highlights of this area. If your visit takes you to Trellech Beacon during dusk on a warm summers evening in late May or June, you may be lucky enough to hear or catch sight of an elusive bird, the nightjar. These summer migrants can be heard ‘churring’ from the undergrowth and with patience you may catch a glimpse of one as it quarters the evening sky in search of moths.