LLandogo
Duchess Ride
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This 6 km loop out of Llandogo is one of those walks that punches above its weight. You kick things off with an easy wander along the Wye, then before long you’re heading up into the woods — nothing brutal, just enough of a climb to feel like you’ve earned the view.
At the top, the Duchess Ride opens everything up: big valley, wide sky, and on a clear day you’ll spot the Severn flashing in the distance. It’s a good place to hang around for a bit.
There’s plenty going on along the way too — old mossy walls, the option to swing out to Bigsweir Bridge if you’re feeling curious, and Cleddon Falls, which really gets going after rain.
It’s varied, and never too hard. A solid couple of hours out when you just want some fresh air, a bit of a climb, and a few quiet spots to yourself.
LLandogo, Wye, Duchess Ride, Cleddon Falls
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Distance: 6 km
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Total ascent: 245 m
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River Wye section: LLandogo/Bigsweir Br
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Duration: 02:00
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Walking Grade 2
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Terrain: Riverside path, woodland/woodland hill, some steep sections
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Start/Finish: LLandogo St Oudoceus
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Views: Lower Wye/River Severn
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Difficulty: Moderate – a mix of hills and level walking
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Highlights: Dramatic viewpoints, River Wye, Woodland paths, Cleddon Falls
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Best time to visit: Spring, Summer and autumn for colour and high spate
Parking Up
This loop is basic for most walkers and makes a good connection with the Wye and woodland landscapes. There are numerous parking opportunities outside St Oudoceus beside the Memorial Green and opposite the pub the Sloop Inn, but only if you decide to be a curtomer. To park somewhere else you could start the walk at Cleddon Shoots where there are a couple of spaces.
Public Transport
Public transport in the area is pretty good. Look out for the No69 Monmouth to Chepstow, which runs every hour until about 7PM. It will drop you off right at the start of the trail and you pick you up.
Crossing the Church Yard
Cross over the church yard from the church front door facing south. Head for the right corner and step into the field. Handrail the boundary to your left and walk to the far side accessing the riverside path bearing left beyond the property on your left. Your on the trail with the River Wye on your right.
Bigsweir Bridge
After about 1KM bear left at a fork and leave the riverside for the road. Beyond is Bigsweir Bridge Built in 1826-29. Made of cast iron and sandstone it has a broad central clear span in four cast iron arches. As bridges go it's pretty cool.
On the road turn right for 225 meters until you reach a finger post opposite. Follow it into the woods, pass one woodland trail and up the hill until you intersect with another at about 300 meters in. Bear left on a sweeping arc where you bear right abruptly at 650 meters leaving the track for a narrower trail. After 150 meters another track presents itself, bear left for the Duchess Ride View 350 meters in and Cleddon Shoots beyond.
The Duchess Ride Viewpoint
The viewpoint is named after the Duchess of Beaufort. According to local history, she frequently rode her carriage along this specific avenue of Scots Pine trees to enjoy the scenic landscape. One at the location the view looks over Llandogo to the south revealing the Wye, the Valley and the River Severn beyond. It's a view to linger for what with the valley slopes cloaked in thick woodland for many miles.
Eat/Drink & Trails
If you fancy more than just the view, there are a few good spots to grab something to eat or drink around Llandogo or in the valley. The Sloop Inn mentioned is right there at the start and finish of the walk, down river is Tintern with a good few options whilst up river is Redbrook and Monmouth. Check online.
Summary
A compact loop from Llandogo that mixes riverside walking with a steady climb through woodland to higher ground. The route starts easy along the Wye before heading uphill on narrower, sometimes muddy trails, so decent footing helps.
The pull up is the main effort, but it’s short-lived and rewarded with open views from the Duchess Ride across the Wye Valley and towards the Severn. Cleddon Shoots makes a good midway stop, especially after rain when the falls are more active.
At around 6 km, it’s a straightforward couple of hours out — varied enough to keep it interesting, without feeling like a big commitment.
Some Quick Links
Back to other viewpoints and trails. Click.
Cool short video of Cleddon Falls.
Quick OS Map Preview
For the Most Detailed Guide Download OS Mapping GPX, compatible with most platforms-Kamoot, Outdooractive or All Trails.
For OS Link Click, here.
The GPX file can also be used with a variety of dedicated GPS devices and outdoor watches — including models from Garmin, TwoNav, Suunto and Coros — as well as smartphone navigation apps that support GPX route import.
Click For Interactive OS Profiler
In Mobile view move in and out using two fingers. Other Highpoints in the area are marked with purple bino's.
Grid Ref & Links
Valley Road Turn-off Grid Ref: SO 53687 04781
Duchess Ride View Grid Ref: SO 52476 04941
Cleddon Falls: SO 52053 03951
For OS Explorer OL14, 1:25,000 Click
For The OS Explorer App Click
For GPS Navigation Click
Things to Look Out For
There’s plenty to spot in and around Llandogo. You’ve already got the Duchess Ride viewpoint, Cleddon Shoots, and other high points pinned on the map above. Beyond that, keep an eye out for Bigsweir Bridge, and the old stone walls marking former estate boundaries — moss-covered in places, and perfect for photos when the light filters through the canopy. The old carriageways and ridge tracks, like the Duchess Ride itself, are often lined with pines planted to frame the views.
Down by the river, if you’re lucky you might catch some fly fishing — it’s oddly hypnotic to watch. In the woods, look for bluebells in spring, usually peaking in May.
Back in the village, don’t miss St Oudoceus Church, the Sloop Inn (a nod to Llandogo’s boat-building past), and the Memorial Green beside the church — all small touches that make the place feel lived-in.
Other Wye Valley Trails
We’re gradually building a full set of walks along the Wye, from the upper reaches down to the lower valley. Besides those in the main Best Wye Routes & Paths menu more routes are being developed — keep an eye out for the next ones to get deep down with.
In the meantime there's a preview of the Yat Rock Coldwell Loop below, which is part of the Top 8 Wye Views series of outings. If you're into some far-out views then check it out.
For long distance see Wye Basin Long Distance Trails and the Wye Valley Walk.
Other Trails
Up river is the Offa's Dyke Path, which leaves the Wye Valley at Monmouth.
It's a 177-mile (285 km) National Trail running along the England-Wales border, connecting Sedbury Cliffs near Chepstow to Prestatyn on the North Wales coast. Definitely worth every step. Again most of these are on the Wye Basin Long Distance Trails page, which features all of the long trails that intersect with the Wye basin.
Yat Rock/Coldwell Loop
This 5.8 km loop from the Symonds Yat Rock mixes riverside walking, woodland tracks, and a short, punchy climb. Pass beneath the limestone faces of Coldwell Rocks and finish at the platform atop Yat Rock with broad views of the Valley. Peregrine falcons are often on the wing, and the scene shifts with light or low winter cloud. Roughly two hours, easy to moderate. For GPX, Google Map and more details click here.
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Some Local Outdoor Stores
Some outdoors stores in the area are: Mountain Warehouse and Millets in Monmouth and Escape to the Great Outdoors and Mountain Warehouse Ross-on-Wye. For Hereford try Trekkit, Mountain Warehouse or Trespass. You might like to even check out Philip Morris and Son.