At last we have been able to complete the first section of the walk. This was postponed because of the closure of the walk due to landslides. We all met up at the castle car park for a photo of the group with Chepstow Castle as the backdrop. The walk started by passing the castle on the way up to the main road to the school before taking the path into woodland. This path takes a gradual climb through Alcove Wood where a great view of Chepstow can been seen from the view point.
From here it was on to Pierce wood with beautiful views looking down to the river. As we had made a late start we stopped here for lunch before heading towards the Giants Cave. All through the woods there were swathes of spring flowers to be seen, wood anenomes, bluebells and celandines. A breathless climb eventually took us up some steps to Wyndcliff car park. After crossing the road we took another long climb on the Valentine Morris' Piercefield walk eventually arriving at the Eagles Nest view point.
Still keeping to the woodland walk we entered Minepit wood where a fenced shaft, part of the old mine workings, could be seen to one side. From here we began the descent to Tintern through Blackcliff Wood before crossing an open field to Limekiln Wood. This particular stretch was very treacherous as the path seamed to have been washed away leaving a very steep rocky path almost like a riverbed with loose rocks everywhere.
It was here we heard a strange creaking noise. This was coming from one of the trees swaying gently in the wind, very unnerving! Eventually the path levelled out and become more normal before exiting onto the road behind The Abbey Hotel in Tintern. A short walk up the High Street and we cut through the church into an open field beside the river Wye. After crossing a couple of wooden footbridges and climbing another set of steps we were onto the old disused railway embankment of the Wye Valley Railway and our final destination.
Here we were met by other friends in time for a picnic party in the grounds of the old Tintern Station. This was a time to unwind, nurse our sore feet and fill up on calories before returning home.
From here it was on to Pierce wood with beautiful views looking down to the river. As we had made a late start we stopped here for lunch before heading towards the Giants Cave. All through the woods there were swathes of spring flowers to be seen, wood anenomes, bluebells and celandines. A breathless climb eventually took us up some steps to Wyndcliff car park. After crossing the road we took another long climb on the Valentine Morris' Piercefield walk eventually arriving at the Eagles Nest view point.
Still keeping to the woodland walk we entered Minepit wood where a fenced shaft, part of the old mine workings, could be seen to one side. From here we began the descent to Tintern through Blackcliff Wood before crossing an open field to Limekiln Wood. This particular stretch was very treacherous as the path seamed to have been washed away leaving a very steep rocky path almost like a riverbed with loose rocks everywhere.
It was here we heard a strange creaking noise. This was coming from one of the trees swaying gently in the wind, very unnerving! Eventually the path levelled out and become more normal before exiting onto the road behind The Abbey Hotel in Tintern. A short walk up the High Street and we cut through the church into an open field beside the river Wye. After crossing a couple of wooden footbridges and climbing another set of steps we were onto the old disused railway embankment of the Wye Valley Railway and our final destination.
Here we were met by other friends in time for a picnic party in the grounds of the old Tintern Station. This was a time to unwind, nurse our sore feet and fill up on calories before returning home.
