Twin Valley Ley Line Trail

44.0 miles

Intro

A modern pilgrim route uncovering wild landscapes & ancient landmarks. Journey along the 44 mile/71 km walking trail which celebrates the discovery of ley lines as it winds its scenic way through two river valleys to lost castles, remote churches, sacred stones and spectacular summits.

On June 30 1921 Alfred Watkins had an extraordinary revelation. As he stood on a Herefordshire hillside, it came to him that straight tracks criss-crossed the landscape, connecting ancient and spiritual sites. He christened them ley lines and regarded them as we might imagine a Neolithic Sat Nav – visual lines of sight enabling our ancestors to situate themselves in the landscape and navigate through it. Read more about the background to the Trail here.

Don't Miss

Sacred stones, spiritual spaces, crumbling castles and once-fierce forts dot this wild, remote landscape. Walk along lush river valleys, climb peaks in the Black Mountains and discover the birthplace of two rivers - the Dore and the Monnow.

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recommended route Hiking Trail · Central England and the Midlands

Twin Valley Ley Line Trail

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Visit Herefordshire

Snodhill Castle
Photo: Naomi Moyo-Wilson, Visit Herefordshire

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A modern pilgrim route uncovering wild landscapes & ancient landmarks. Journey along the 44-mile (71km) walking trail, which celebrates the discovery of ley lines, as it winds its scenic way through two river valleys to lost castles, remote churches, sacred stones, and spectacular summits.

difficult

Distance 47.9 mi

21:20 h

6,325 ft

6,322 ft

2,192 ft

246 ft

The Twin Valley Ley Line Trail delves deep into Herefordshire's history and untouched landscapes. Commemorating the centenary of the discovery of ley lines in the county, it journeys from remote moorland and summits in the Black Mountains to ancient woodland and undulating fields

A total of 44 miles (71 km) long, it can be completed over three to five days, depending on your pace, or walked as a series of day hikes.

Stages 1 and 2 are dotted with interesting historical sites, so allow time to linger. Stage 3 is a more remote stretch through dramatic landscape - it is more challenging in terms of distance and terrain.

There are a variety of accommodation options, including country pubs, B&Bs, and atmospheric churches, which enable you to plan a trip to suit your requirements, shortening or extending each stage as preferred.

Highlights include:

Climbing to peaks in the Black Mountains
Visiting the highest of all monastic sites in England
Peeking into tiny churches, packed with character and history
Trekking to the heights where the Rivers Dore & Monnow are born
Revelling in the stunning views of the Wye Valley from Merbach Hill's summit
Stopping for picnics by pretty streams and waterfalls
Wandering through lush, green landscapes & ancient woodland
Spying the Exmoor ponies on Ewyas Harold Common
Pausing for a pint with the locals at friendly country pubs

Author’s recommendation

The leaflet for the route is available here.

Responsible for this content
Visit Herefordshire

Difficulty

difficult

Overall difficulty

difficult

Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

Experience

Landscape

Highest point

2192 ft

Lowest point

246 ft

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Track types

Asphalt

7.8 mi

Dirt road

1614 ft

Forested/wild trail

3.5 mi

Path

28.4 mi

Road

3.8 mi

Unknown

4.2 mi

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Tips and suggestions

The Twin Valley Ley Line trail is 44 miles (71 km) long and can be completed over three to five days, depending on your pace, or walked as individual day hikes. Stages 1 and 2 are dotted with interesting historical sites, so you may wish to allow time to linger. Stage 3 is a wilder, more remote stretch through dramatic landscapes and is more challenging in terms of distance and terrain. Please note, there are options to shorten or extend the stages to suit your requirements. For example, staying overnight at Craswall rather than Longtown will shorten Stage 3 by several miles.

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Photo

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The Pandy Inn
Discover Herefordshire's Secrets (Illustrated Talks by Penny Platts)
St Peter's Church, Peterchurch
Arthur's Stone
Snodhill Castle
St Faith's Church Dorstone
Food For Thought
St Bartholomew, Vowchurch
St Mary Magdalene Turnastone
Granary Cottage Dorstone
Dore Abbey
The Temple Bar Inn
The Garden of the Wind
Clodock Church
Longtown Castle
St Margarets Church
Rowlestone Farmhouse Ice cream
St Michaels & All Angels Church, Ewyas Harold
Walterstone Church
St Beuno & Peter's Church, Llanveyno
Drovers Rest Farm - Tables in a Barn & Cocktail Bar
Drovers Rest Farm - Animal Encounters & Farm Visits
St Faith, Bacton