Chepstow to Tintern Abby Hike
This is a tricky one to write up as we used the OS map and a lot of luck to get from Chesptow to the charming Tintern. We drove to Chepstow from Cardiff, taking a right at the mini roundabout by the racecourse we follow the signs to the school and leisure centre car park where we park up.
We pick up the Wye Valley Trail from the car park and follow the trail thought the woods. This is not easy to follow as there are many paths that seem to cross back and forth. We actually go a bit wrong and come out onto the A466 a busy road that leads to Tintern. We walked the last half a mile or so into Tintern on this road. We should have hopped over a stile once we had started our final descent across a field and then followed an old river bed that brings you out right by the Abbey!
Click here for a weatherman walking link.
We stop in Tintern for some sarnies and a coffee. There are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat and good public toilets too. You can end the walk here and bus it back to Chepstow but we are out for the day! So after our refreshments we cross over the river Wye and pick up the Trail towards the Devils Pulpit. We start to climb and look out for the red arrow on the floor that marks the way.
We follow the path up and up and eventually we are rewarded with the magnificent views of Tintern and the abbey below!
After stopping for a fews minutes to enjoy the views and take a few snaps we follow the path for no more than a minute or two. We have the option of taking a left or a right and I can't remember which. Out with maps and gps again we decide on the left path. We are rewarded with a fleeting glimpse of a deer in the woods - priceless!
We then bump into 2 other walkers and their dog they confirm we are heading in the right direction and are on the offas dyke path into Chepstow, phew! We follow this well marked path right the way to Chepstow. There is a diversion in place for part of the path to protect it. This is clearly marked so shouldn't cause any problems. We come out onto the B4228 - Tideham Chase. Half a mile down this road on the left hand side is a park bench with some lovely views across the river Severn. Worth a stop for a few minutes. You can follow this road for approx 2 miles into Chepstow Town Centre it can however be a bit boring so we pick up some footpaths to make things a bit more interesting.
On one of this paths we come out into a field of cows! In the news that week had been an incident where someone had been trampled to death by cows!! We decide caution is best and we walk slowly and carefully around the perimeter of the field and come out the other side onto a county lane.
See the interactive map belw for our exact route - We come out near Chepstow town centre, with the Castle to our right and the bridge right in front of us! We make our way back to the car but not before coffee and a muffin in coffee number one - fab place with wonderful coffee and cake.
