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Kilpeck-Turnastone Taster Walks
Ross to Pontrilas
From the Market House, go along High Street and follow the River Wye to Wilton Bridge. Use the permissive path to take you under the A40 dual carriageway.
Visit the churches of Bridstow, Peterstow and Sellack before crossing the River Wye via the suspension bridge at Sellack. Visit King's Caple and Hoarwithy, with its Italianate Church over looking the River Wye.
The communities of Little Dewchurch and Little Birch followed by Wormelow Tump are all passed on the route. Spot the small bridge, which connects Old Bryngwyn with Bryngwyn before enjoying the open parkland of The Mynd, while continuing on towards Kilpeck and its famous Norman Church.
After inspecting the carving around the church door, head for Garway Hill via Bagwyllydiart. From the top of Garway Hill, you should be able to spot the Severn Estuary and the Black Mountains.
Descend from Garway Hill passing through Kentchurch on the way to Pontrilas. The river on your left is the River Monnow, which forms the boundary between England and Wales.
Pontrilas to Whitney Bridge
Follow the Dulas Brook into Ewyas Harold and then turn right by the Temple Bar to climb to the top of Ewyas Harold Common. Look back for wonderful views over Garway Hill and over the Black Mountains
Drop down to Abbey Dore to visit the Cistercian Abbey, dating from the 12 th century. Follow the River Dore to Riverdale, the old workhouse for the area, now converted into apartments. Along this section, while taking a quiet rest on the riverbank, kingfishers can be spotted.
Walk up through the wood to reach St. Margaret’s Church with its wonderfully carved rood screen.
Now head down through Chanstone Wood to Turnastone and then follow the Trenant Brook into Peterchurch. The church here Church has a fibreglass spire, which can be spotted for miles around.
En route to Dorstone, take a few moments to look at the remains of Snodhill Castle , one of the few castles in private hands. From Dorstone, with its neat village green and one of the oldest Inns in the county, start the ascent of Merbach Hill, or Marbach, as Kilvert, the well-known local diarist, called it. Pass Arthur's Stone, a Neolithic burial chamber dating back to about 3500BC.
From the top of Merbach Hill, the River Wye can be seen snaking along the valley floor below and there are good views of the northern edge of the Black Mountains . It is possible to see 5 counties from this elevated position. Now follow the Wye Valley Walk until near Locksters Pool Farm where you leave the WVW to cross the fields to Whitney Toll Bridge. The single lane toll bridge spans the River Wye and is one of a very few privately owned toll bridges in the country. There is no toll for foot passengers but animals were charged per hoof.
