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The Story

Initial Inspiration

Being one of Britain's Favorite rivers I was first drawn to getting deep down with it through a visit to the river Lugg its largest tributary in 2010 with my identical twin brother Paul.

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Captivated by its beauty we returned in 2013 to walk the river from its source on Pool Hill in the Welsh Radnor Forest to its confluence with the Wye just outside of Hereford England, our home. Within a few minutes of our arrival, there amazingly two Kingfishers flew over the Wye together and parted like jets. One headed up the Lugg the other continued down the Wye. This brought the Wye into sharp focus hailing an adventure to know it more intimately.

Meet The Hikers Behind Wye Explorer

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Paul Jickells R.I.P​

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Mark Jickells​

I was always an outdoor and river enthusiast growing up in the Wye Valley as was Paul. After the rare Kingfisher display, we walked over the next few seasons 10 Wye rivers and explored many more river sources, mountains, hills, and vales as well as our forever-present inner landscape. Tragically, whilst amid the adventure Paul died suddenly in November 2016 leaving me (Mark) in a very barren wilderness without my life-long partner and friend by my side. 

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With Paul in my soul though I continued the mission and became in 2020 the only person in the UK to walk all Wye rivers from source to confluence totalling nearly 700 miles. Tears and calling out Paul's name on remote hills and mountains amid hyper grief was par the course, but as I got ever deeper into the Wye it began to heal parts of me.

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The Wye is, not only a majestic river, it's a soulful river also that gives life to many on multiple levels. I am testimony to its beauty and strengthening power and as I continue to explore its many hidden corners and gems, I invite you to either walk with me (get in touch) or do the same with friends or solo.

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