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The River Wye and the Wye Valley

The River

The River Wye (Welsh: Afon Gwy) is one of Britain's most scenic and unspoilt rivers. It's source is deep in the Welsh Mountains and the River Wye flows 157 miles or 251 km through Hay-on-Wye, Hereford and Ross-on-Wye and continues on through Symonds Yat, Monmouth and Tintern until it reaches Chepstow where it joins the Severn Estuary.

Over its length, making it the fifth longest river in the UK, the river changes from a spring at its source on Mount Plynlimon to a fast flowing rocky upland stream to a wide meandering river down to the mouth of the river at Beachley on the edge of the Forest of Dean.

The River Ross-on-Wye
View of the river Wye around Ross
(Click for a larger image)

The River Ross-on-Wye
View of the river Wye around Ross
(Click for a larger image)

The lower reaches of the Wye Valley have steep wooded cliffs and spectacular viewpoints such as Symonds Yat, Wintour's Leap and Wynd Cliff. Since the late 18th Century, the scenery has has been attracting visitors. The fast moving streams near the source to the rapids around Symonds Yat and the tidal estuary at Chepstow provide a variety of unsurpassed scenery.


The river is famous amongst anglers and provides an excellent variety of coarse and game fishing. It has been described as the best salmon river outside Scotland. The Wye Valley Walk is popular with walkers and follows the route of the River Wye from Hay-on-Wye to Chepstow along a series of well maintained way-marked paths. The "Wye Valley Leisure Drive" allows enjoyment of all the amazing river scenery without even having to leave your car.

The River Ross-on-Wye
View of the river Wye around Ross
(Click for a larger image)

The River Wye from Wilton Bridge
The river Wye upstream from Wilton Bridge
(Click for a larger image)
The River Wye from Wilton Bridge
The river Wye downstream from Wilton Bridge
(Click for a larger image)


1 - fly-fish-guide.net

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[Page updated: Feb 15 2011 13:31:59]






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