Beacon View, near Monmouth
Walk through heathland and woodland
Whitestone, near Chepstow
What's here
The equipment in the former play area has been removed as its condition had deteriorated. A new play area with structures based on natural features is due to open in late 2022.
Welcome
There’s a choice of two walks from the car park at Whitestone but they both go past three historic viewpoints overlooking the dramatic Wye gorge and river.
The poet Wordsworth wrote “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” near the top viewpoint.
There are a couple of picnic benches next to the upper car park.
The Wye Valley Walk, a long distance route, passes through Whitestone.
Walking trails
The walking trails are waymarked from start to finish.
Look out for the information panel at the start of the trails.
Find out about walking trail grades.
Wonders of Whitestone
- Grade: Easy
- Distance: 1¼ miles/2 kilometres
- Time: 1¼ hours
- Trail information: This is a mainly level route with one stony section. There is a bench at each viewpoint.
The Wonders of Whitestone walking trail takes in three viewpoints over the Wye Valley.
This circular trail returns through an attractive mix of woodlands.
Duchess Ride Viewpoint Trail
- Grade: Easy
- Distance: 3 miles/5 kilometres (there and back)
- Time: 2 hours
- Trail information: This is a mainly level route. There is a bench at the Duchess Ride viewpoint.
The first part of this route takes you past the three viewpoints on the Wonders of Whitestone Trail.
It then continues along part of the Wye Valley Walk, through an avenue of huge Scots Pine trees, to the Duchess Ride viewpoint.
The bench at the viewpoint makes a great picnic spot before you retrace your steps back to Whitestone car park.
Wye Valley Walk
The Wye Valley Walk passes through Whitestone.
This is a 136 mile long distance walk along the River Wye between Chepstow and Hafren Forest.
You can join the route from the car park - look out for the waymarkers.
Find out more about the Wye Valley Walk on the Wye Valley Walk website.
Wye Valley woodlands
The woodlands of the lower Wye Valley are some of the most beautiful in Britain.
The breath-taking natural scenery here has enthralled visitors for centuries, including painters and poets from Turner to Wordsworth.
Historic viewpoints offer spectacular views across the Wye gorge and river, across to the Bristol Channel and the Severn Bridges.
Every season brings something special; bluebells in spring, lush summer leaves, fantastic autumn colour, and the beauty of winter tree silhouettes.
There are walking trails in three of our other woodlands in the Wye Valley Beacon View, Manor Wood and Wyndcliff.
Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The Wye Valley woodlands are situated in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The AONB is an internationally important protected landscape straddling the border between England and Wales.
It surrounds a 58 mile stretch of the River Wye which is recognised for its spectacular gorge scenery, ravine woodlands and farmland.
- Find out more about the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
- Watch our video to find out how we look after the woodlands in the Wye Valley.
National Forest for Wales
The Wye Valley woodlands form part of the National Forest for Wales.
The National Forest will:
- create areas of new woodland
- enhance existing woodlands
- restore Wales’ irreplaceable ancient woodlands.
In time it will form a connected ecological network running throughout Wales, bringing social, economic and environmental benefits.
For more information about the National Forest for Wales go to the Welsh Government website.
Closures and diversions
- Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations.
- We may have to close a site in extreme weather, such as high winds or snow and ice, due to the risk of injury to visitors or staff.
- Please always follow any instructions on site and any temporary diversion signs.
How to get here
Location
Whitestone is 10 miles north of Chepstow.
It is in the county of Monmouthshire.
Ordnance Survey map
Whitestone is on Ordnance Survey (OS) map OL 14.
The OS grid reference is SO 525 029.
Directions
Follow the A466 from Chepstow towards Tintern.
Follow signs for Catbrook at the junction adjacent to the Wye Valley Hotel in Tintern.
After 1½ miles, you reach a junction and the lower car park is opposite.
The larger upper car park is through the barrier and along the forest road.
Public transport
The nearest mainline railway station is in Chepstow.
For details of public transport visit the Traveline Cymru website.
Parking
Car parking is free of charge.
There are two car parks here.
You enter the smaller lower car park immediately after the entrance sign.
To reach the larger upper car park and play area drive through the barrier at the top of the lower car park and along the forest road.
Overnight parking is not permitted.
Contact details
Related document downloads
Wye Valley Woodlands leaflet
PDF [18.6 MB]
Other places in South East Wales
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