An exhilarating combination of activities for a week or weekend break. Spend time cycling along the byways and tracks of Herefordshire, the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean sampling the rural life. Then exchange your bike for a canoe on the River Wye. This popular river is quiet and unspoilt and provides many miles of safe water for the properly equipped traveller.
Enjoy the wildlife, the mallards, the graceful swans, the peregrine falcons which nest on the cliff face at Yat Rock, the wooded valleys, limestone cliffs, modern farms contrasting with the ancient water meadows where cattle drink at the water's edge.
It has been said that the River Wye is the most beautiful river in Britain, and it's rapids will speed your progress down river and add excitement to your trip. The choice of craft is up to you, but for families and groups the open Canadian canoe is ideal as it seats three or four plus the picnic hamper. All canoes are modern craft, supplied with paddles and buoyancy aids. For safety reasons you must be able to swim 50 metres to consider this option.
If you prefer touring there are many beautiful scenic drives in the area including the route from Monmouth to Chepstow which must be one of the most beautiful in the country: the road runs along the Wye with all it's many variations in scenery and passes Offa's Dyke, an earthen rampart built around 1200 years ago to mark the boundary between Mercia and Wales. The ruins of Tintern Abbey are also along this route and is well worth a visit.
The Wye Valley has also been described as a walker's paradise with many miles of footpaths and nature trails through superb scenery with viewpoints that can only be reached on foot, horseback or bike. Groups can mix one or more of the following activities - caving, abseiling, climbing, canoeing or horse riding for a very active time (then go home for a rest!).