Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the car park by Tintern Abbey the walk crosses the Wye on the old Wireworks Bridge into England and climbs steeply through the woods to Offa's Dyke Path. It follows the path south along the top of the gorge to the Devil's Pulpit, a rock on the edge of the dyke with a famous view down to the abbey ruins. It carries on along the dyke past Shorn Cliff, then drops to the Wye Valley Greenway, the old railway line, and follows it back north beside the river to the bridge and Tintern.
It is 8.5 km with 248 m of ascent; allow about 3 hours. The grade is Easy. The climb to the dyke is long and steep.
The paths through the woods are steep, rooty and slippery when wet. The Greenway is shared with cyclists. Tintern Abbey is run by Cadw and charges for entry; the walk passes outside it.
The car park beside the abbey is pay and display. There is no station near; the nearest is Chepstow, about 6 km away.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- From Tintern Abbey over the Wye on the old Wireworks Bridge
- Up through the woods to Offa's Dyke and the Devil's Pulpit, high above the abbey
- Along Offa's Dyke Path, then down to the Wye Valley Greenway
- Back along the old railway by the river into Tintern
Getting there
Start: Tintern Abbey car park · Pay and display. 51.69786, -2.67744
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Chepstow: Booking.com → Expedia →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.