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Vowchurch circular walk
A tough but gorgeous walk taking in views of the Golden and Wye Valleys, Herefordshire, starting from Vowchurch Common
A colleague suggested this walk although I am not sure I went the way he intended. Turning off the B4348 I followed the sign to Vowchurch Common and parked about halfway up the hill on a wide grass verge at the start of a footpath by a sign for Wilsons Place. This walk is quite tough in places and wearing only light walking trousers and a t-shirt I was dismayed to find myself chest high in stinging nettles and brambles quite early on. A sturdy stick would have been useful at points to clear the path and hidden holes and ruts in the undergrowth meant I stumbled a number of times. However looking at my route on the map below I think I could probably have avoided this difficult start by not turning off the wide bridle way onto the, obviously rarely used, footpath.
View Circular Walk From Vowchurch Common in a Google Maps
Eventually, after about a mile, the the path cleared and I found myself at the top of a hill overlooking the Golden Valley. Here we also met some pot bellied pigs who came running to greet us which freaked Bandit out somewhat and his barking brought the owner and his dogs out to investigate. He was a pleasant chap and gave me directions that would take me down to Monnington Court and up through some woodlands from the top of which I could view the Wye Valley.
I really enjoyed this walk and apart from the pig owner and a milkman on the lane I didn’t see a soul. In fact a number of times I almost jumped out of my skin when my phone announced the distance I had traveled.
Making my way down to Monnington, I cut across a field and into Guys Estate which is a beautiful managed woodland. Following the path brings you out onto open land from where you get spectacular views of the Wye Valley. A camera really doesn’t do justice to the views as they are truly panoramic. After about a mile, walking along the ridge, I cut back down through the woods and into a valley looking back towards Monnington.
Leaving the woods I began the steepest climb of the walk and on reaching the top sat in the sunshine for a breather and to give Bandit a drink. From this point we crossed another field, passed through a small coppice and eventually onto the road about a mile or so above where I had parked the car.
The total distance of the walk was a little under seven miles. There are numerous stiles, none of which are dog friendly so Bandit once again found himself being hoicked unceremoniously over. The footpaths are clearly signposted and the area seems riddled with them giving plenty of opportunity for further exploration.
Vowchurch circular walk slideshow
01 of 25 : Wilson's Place
02 of 25 : The Start
03 of 25 : Beginning the climb
04 of 25 : Further up
05 of 25 : Chest high in brambles
06 of 25 : The path clears
07 of 25 : Golden Valley
08 of 25 : Pig
09 of 25 : Seen better times
10 of 25 : Tree and trailer
11 of 25 : Monnington Court Farm
12 of 25 : Into the woods
13 of 25 : Guys Estate
14 of 25 : Alone in the wood
15 of 25 : Following the track
16 of 25 : Close to the top
17 of 25 : The Wye Valley
18 of 25 : Madley satalite dishes
19 of 25 : Back into the wood
20 of 25 : … and out at the bottom
21 of 25 : We walked through there
22 of 25 : Bandit
23 of 25 : Between Golden & Wye Valleys
24 of 25 : Steep climb
25 of 25 : Down the lane