Cambria Sports Culture CIC Cymraeg

All walksMonmouthshire and the Lower Wye

Monmouthshire and the Lower Wye

Monmouth and the Kymin

Up from a border town to a Georgian banqueting house and a naval temple on a hill, with the Wye and Monnow valleys below.

Distance
4.3 mi / 7 km
Time
2 hr 30
Ascent
250 m
Difficulty
Demanding
Shape
Circular

Where it is

The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.

The route

Climb from the town across the Wye to the Kymin, returning by the riverside path. Steep on the ascent.

Worth knowing

  • The Naval Temple was built in 1800 to celebrate British admirals, and Nelson visited it in 1802.
  • The Monnow Bridge in the town is the only fortified river bridge in Britain with its gate tower still standing.
  • The climb is steep and sustained; the round house at the top has a view worth it.

What you’ll see

The Round House and Naval Temple, the Wye and Monnow valleys, and the town below.

Background

Monmouth was the birthplace of Henry V, and the Monnow Bridge gate has guarded the town since 1272.