Herefordshire Trail in A Day
Walk with us to celebrate the relaunch of the glorious Herefordshire Trail
To celebrate the relaunch of the Herefordshire Trail, we're walking every inch of it on Friday 17 June 2022. It's going to be an amazing day. Come and be part of it! Our series of themed walking events ranges from 6 to 13 miles.
The Herefordshire Trail is a superbly scenic 154-mile long-distance loop around the county, which calls at each of our characterful market towns. Read more about the Herefordshire Trail at: www.visitherefordshire.co.uk/herefordshire-trail
Choose from 15 wonderful walks
We'll cover every section of the trail via 15 special walks, from early morning stride outs to wild evening trail runs. Pick from history and nature themed hikes to meditation and poetry walks. Transport is included to return you to your original starting point (except Section 12 - we'll take the local bus).
#FollowTheApple
New waymarkers featuring a red apple are being rolled our across the long-distance walking trail - help us celebrate by sharing your pictures with the hashtag #FollowTheApple
Book your ticket at: https://bit.ly/hikeherefordshire
Section 1: Orchards & wildlife in Big Apple Country
Ledbury to Much Marcle, 10.4 miles.
8am - 1.30pm
Meet 8am at Market House, 1 The Homend, Ledbury HR8 1BN
James Marsden, local environmentalist, orchardist and champion perry maker, will lead this walk from Ledbury, alongside a discussion of wildlife habitats and land management for nature recovery. He will be accompanied by Marika Kovaks, chair of Hereford Ramblers who has a visual impairment and will be encouraging walkers to identify and experience local birdsong. Culminates in an optional tour and cider/perry tasting at James' award-winning Gregg’s Pit.
Book now - SORRY, SOLD OUT
Section 2: Trail Treasures
Much Marcle to Ross-on-Wye, 11.6 miles
8am - 2.15pm
Meet 8am at Wilton Road Car Park, Ross on Wye HR9 5JA
Trek from ancient Marcle Ridge to the historic market town of Ross on Wye in the company of Norman Stanier of Dragon Orchard and environmental consultant Stef Simmons. They'll share their love of nature on this relatively challenging hike through the undulating terrain of ancient woodland and open meadows. Soak up the panoramic views, visit tiny medieval churches and enjoy the tranquility of this beautiful section.
Section 3: An early morning stride out
Ross-on-Wye to Little Dewchurch, 10 miles
7am - 1pm
Meet 7am at Market House, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5HE
Jesse Norman MP leads this walk along the river along with Ruth Waycott and Nick Critchley from Wye Valley AONB. The route begins at the birthplace of English tourism via two charming suspension bridges to the pretty riverside hamlet of Hoarwithy.
Section 4: Power, faith & sanctuary - a walk through history
Little Dewchurch to Kilpeck, 6.2 miles
1pm - 4pm
Meet at 1pm, The Kilpeck Inn, HR2 9DN
Joseph Emmett teaches history locally and is a great nature lover. He invites us to walk in the footsteps of past generations, exploring the themes of power and invasion, faith and fortitude, solace and sanctuary. The hike will take us to Kilpeck Church, a monument of incredible historical significance. Joseph is also a singer/songwriter with the band The Kilpecks who recorded the 'Feel A World Away' song to accompany Visit Herefordshire's first TV advert - listen and watch here
Section 5: Putting the waymarkers to the test!
Kilpeck to Abbey Dore, 11.6 miles
9am - 3pm
Meet at 9am, Kilpeck Village Hall, HR2 9DW
Start at Kilpeck Church which is famed for its stone carvings and walk through the Golden Valley to the serene Abbey Dore. This walk will be led by Andy, Kate and Katie from Orphans, Visit Herefordshire's marketing agency, who are inviting you to help them test out the new way-markers! Guaranteed to be a fun morning.
Section 6: Glorious Golden Valley
Abbey Dore to Peterchurch, 7.7 miles
9.30am - 2.30pm
Meet at 9.30am, St Peter's Church car park, Peterchurch, HR2 0RT
Sarah Price, the friendly founder of Walk Hay, knows this area like the back of her hand and will share stories about the landscape and history on this hike which takes in the glorious Dore Abbey, four country churches and an enchanting wood.
Section 7: Magical Borderlands
Peterchurch to Whitney Bridge, 10.7 miles
9am - 3.30pm
Meet at 9am, Casa Lupo car park, Peterchurch, HR2 0RT
Anna and Luke Skinner are ardent globe-trotters but always say that the UK is one of the most beautiful parts of the world. The dynamic duo behind Drovers Holidays, a local walking & cycling holiday company, will be guiding us on this magical stretch through the Golden Valley which lies on the border with Wales. They will be accompanied by their 9-month old baby, making this truly a walk for all ages!
Section 8: Wild Trail Evening Run
Whitney Bridge to Kington, 11.9 miles
5pm - 8pm
Meet 5pm at Market Hall, Kington, HR5 3DP
Fancy a challenge? Join Steve Goodridge from Hay Hotfooters, the local running club, and Helen Bowden from Orphans Press for an invigorating 2-hour cross-country run. Features short climbs plus off-road tracks through Whitney Wood. Will break halfway at Eardisley for refreshments, before continuing on to Kington. Ideal for those who run at a minimum pace of 7mins per km.
Transport will be leaving Kington at 5pm, ready for the run to start from Whitney Bridge at 5.30pm.
Section 9: Historical stroll through Romantic landscapes
Kington to Lingen, 12.2 miles
8am - 4pm
Meet at 8am at Market Hall, Kington, HR5 3DP
Join architectural historian, Joe Kerr, and Liz Hill, the coordinator of the Herefordshire Walking Festival, will guide you on a yomp through wonderfully scenic countryside which was beloved of Byron.
Section 10: Mountain top to Roman Road
Lingen to Leintwardine, 9.1 miles
8am - 12pm
Meet at 8am at Leintwardine Community Centre, SY7 0LB
A strenuous brisk morning walk. Traverse woodland, hills and sweeping parkland, finishing along the floodplain of the River Teme to reach the Roman settlement of Leintwardine. With stunning views from Harley’s Mountain. Our guide Nick Howes, Geographer and Herefordshire Wildlife Trust volunteer, will provide an insight into local wildlife and will be accompanied by keen walker Sarah C who shares her hikes on Instagram @sarah_adventures_x.
Section 11: From Forge to Gorge
Leintwardine to Richards Castle, 13.3 miles
9am - 5pm
Meet at 9am at The Lion in Leintwardine, SY7 0JZ
Experts in guided tours to secret places, Exploring Mid Wales is perfectly pitched to lead this riverside and woodland ramble on the little known Herefordshire/Shropshire border. In the company of Rob Rees, you'll uncover now tranquil, hidden spaces which were once home to the iron industry.
Book now - SORRY SOLD OUT
Section 12: Meanders in Mortimer Country
Richards Castle to Leominster, 9.2 miles
10.25am - 4.30pm
Meet 10.25am at Leominster Bus Station
Walking guide authors and slow travel fans, Les Lumsdon and Mike Ledlie, will share stories about this much-fought over borderland and the landscape's distinctive features which was dominated for centuries by the powerful Mortimer family.
Section 13: Landmarks in the Landscape
Leominster to Edwyn Ralph, 11.7 miles
9am - 5pm
Meet 9am at Grange Court, Leominster, HR6 8NL (parking at Etnam Street car park, HR6 8AE)
Amble through history at an easy pace via the iron age hill fort of Bache Camp and the ancient churches of Pudleston and Hatfield, in the company of Peter Blench, a journalist, author and active member of Leominster‘s Walkers Are Welcome group. Peter walked the entire 154 miles of the Herefordshire Trail last year. Convene afterwards at The Chequers in Leominster to raise a toast to the trail!
Section 14: Travel the Hop Pickers’ Path
Edwyn Ralph to Fromes Hill, 9.9 miles
9.30am - 4pm
Meet 9.30am at The Wheatsheaf, Fromes Hill HR8 1HT
Meander to the market town of Bromyard before threading our way through the Frome Valley, the land of hops. Spot traditional hop kilns, discover contemporary hopyards and enjoy panoramic hilltop views. Led by Tom Fisher, chair of Bromyard’s Walkers are Welcome group and Jane Masters, a keen local walker.
Section 15: Poetic Wanders
Fromes Hill to Ledbury, 10.1 miles
9am - 2pm
Meet 9am at Master's House, Ledbury HR8 1EA
A guided walk through stunning landscapes which have inspired poets old and new. With Debbie Hatfield, editor at Orphans Publishing and Chloe Garner, Director of Ledbury's international Poetry Festival. The route will be punctuated by short poem stops. Walkers are invited to bring a poem to share which will be read out along with walking-themed poems and others by local poets which are celebrated by this section of the trail.
For more walks: Herefordshire Walking Festival
Held across the county from 18 to 26 June, the Herefordshire Walking Festival is an absolute must for walkers and great way to discover our wide range of landscapes.
