Kickstart 2025 Walking Weekend - The Wye Valley
Join Large Outdoors in the beautiful Wye Valley as we kickstart our 2025 walking schedule with a fun-filled social weekend. Embrace the winter with refreshing walks, good laughter, and the chance to make new friends as we begin 2025 together. This fully guided weekend includes all meals, accommodation, and a variety of walks each day, ranging from leisurely to more active options.
Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Hostel
Group Size: Maximum 64
Level: Leisurely & Active on offer
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs
Public Transport: This trip is accessible by public transport, we offer collection from Gloucester train station. Please see the Meeting Location & Time section below for full details.
In a Nutshell:
Start the year on a high note by spending time with a great group of people.
Relish nature’s way of slowing us down and putting life in perspective.
Switch off and enjoy being in the moment as experienced Large Outdoors guides do all the route finding.
Savour having home-cooked dinners and chatting into the evening, in a relaxing environment.
Book Today…
Walks, Laughs, Banter, and New Friends: A Relaxed Weekend Exploring the Wye Valley & Symonds Yat.
There’s something serene and life-affirming about walking through Herefordshire’s Wye Valley. Perhaps it’s the way the paths wind through lush forests and meadows, with towering limestone cliffs above and the meandering river beside us, that encourages us to slow down and regain a balanced perspective on life.
Whatever the magic may be, the Wye Valley is the perfect setting for our first walking weekend of the year. Here, the wellbeing benefits of group walking shine through, strengthening our connections with nature and new friends while nourishing both mind and body.
Throughout the weekend, our experienced Large Outdoors guides will lead beautiful walks through this stunning landscape, including a visit to the commanding viewpoint above Symonds Yat.
Each evening, we’ll gather for home-cooked meals in a relaxing setting, perfect for enjoying the easy company of like-minded souls.
Suggested Itinerary
Here’s what we’ve got planned - of course, we may have to offer alternatives or make amendments if the weather misbehaves or other unexpected situations arise!
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Our weekend is based from YHA Wye Valley, a Victorian manor house set in its own grounds and with direct access to the River Wye. You’re welcome to arrive at the hostel at any time after 5pm, where the Large Outdoors host will greet you. Dinner is normally at 8pm so until then feel free to relax in the lounge with a cup of tea, or perhaps wander down to the riverside to start settling in to the tranquil beauty of the Wye Valley.
After dinner we’ll do a short introduction to the weekend and detail the walk options for the next day. There will be a choice of different walks with various lengths and difficulties.
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After breakfast we’ll separate into walking groups (subject to participant numbers) and head off for the day, after giving you a chance to make your packed lunch.
Possible walk options are:
Symonds Yat - Walking straight from the hostel, we’ll head down the river through woodland and open fields, admiring the precipice of Huntsham Hill across the water. After crossing a bridge, we’ll head towards Symonds Yat and climb up to the viewpoint, with stunning views that stretch back down to the river and the lands beyond. From here we’ll follow the Wye Valley Trail back to the hostel, and perhaps a warming mug of tea.
Coppet Hill and Symonds Yat - Leaving the hostel, we’ll walk up-river through Thomas Wood, before heading up the local highpoint of Coppet Hill, at 188m. This should give us extensive views over South Wales and bits of England, and is even designated as a Nature Reserve. From the hill we’ll descend back down to the river, cross a bridge, and follow paths up to the viewpoint at Symonds Yat Rock, from where we’ll follow the Wye Valley Trail back to the hostel.
Late afternoon onwards: When all the walks are back at the hostel, the evening is yours to relax and re-live the adventures of the day. Until dinner you can enjoy the cosy warmth of the hostel and maybe take part in some light-hearted entertainment (we often put on charity bingo or a quiz) that evening.
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After breakfast it’s time to pack up and check out of the hostel, for our final day of walking. Subject to participant numbers, we’ll again offer a choice of walks. Regardless of the option you choose, we’ll aim to finish up around lunchtime, when perhaps you might like to have lunch at a pub or a cuppa in a local tearoom with your fellow walkers, before heading home.
Walk options could include:
Leys Hill and Bishop’s Wood - Starting from Goodrich, near the hostel, we’ll cross the river and walk a circuit of Leys Hill, through woodland and farm tracks, before descending back to the river through Bishop’s Wood. Expect peaceful forest walking with farm tracks and new views of the River Wye. We’ll get back to the pub with plenty of time for lunch and perhaps a wander up to Goodrich Castle.
Chase Wood and Ross-on-Wye - This walk will complete a circuit of three totally different locations; the riverbank of the River Wye, Chase Wood on its craggy hill complete with Iron Age hill-fort, and the picturesque town of Ross-on-Wye. Only a short drive from the hostel, we’ll head to Goodrich for lunch after the walk.
Once the walks are over our weekend in the Wye Valley has sadly come to an end. After an adventure in this idyllic riverside landscape, you’ll go home with thoughts buzzing for future weekends away, and any notion of staying indoors for winter finally dispelled.
Please Note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.
Essential Information
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Meeting Time: from 5pm
You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.Meeting Location:
YHA Wye Valley
Ross-on-Wye
Herefordshire
HR9 6JJwhat3words///headrest.abacus.fairway
Access: Please be aware that this hostel can only be reached by a single track lane, the last 800 metres of which are narrow and steep, with a sharp bend and an uneven road surface. It is accessible to all cars, vans and minibuses (although access may be difficult for those with small or low vehicles), but coaches and larger vehicles will not be able to access the accommodation.
Parking: There is free parking available at the hostel.
Gloucester Station Collection 3pm. We will be arranging a collection from Gloucester Station and will return you to the station after the walks on Sunday.There is a £15 per person fee for this service, which can be booked during checkout or added to your booking by contacting our office.
Please only book an open return as we cannot guarantee to meet a set train time.Public Transport: Unfortunately, the meeting location for this Large Outdoors experience is not accessible by public transport.
Please Note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.
Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility
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You’ll stay at the lovely YHA Wye Valley for this break. Set in 25 acres on the banks of the River Wye, it’s a rural retreat with plenty of charm, stunning views down to the river, and cosy touches.
There’s limited WiFi available. Bedding is supplied in all rooms but please bring a towel and your own toiletries.
Accommodation Address:
YHA Wye Valley
Ross-on-Wye
Herefordshire
HR9 6JJRoom Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Bed in a Shared Female Room
Bed in a Shared Male Room
Twin Room (bunk beds)At this hostel there are primarily Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - usually with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared). There are also some Twin Rooms (bunk beds), which sleep up to two participants booking together (bathrooms are shared with other rooms).
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Included:
2 nights’ accommodation at YHA Wye Valley.
A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.
Guided walks on two days (Day 2 and Day 3) in the Wye Valley area.
Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on both evenings.
A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).
A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2’s walk.
Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.
Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.
The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not Included:
Travel to and from the meeting location.
Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.
Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.
Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation.
Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
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Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed.
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• What level of fitness is needed?
This trip is graded as Leisurely and Active (subject to participant numbers), as we will definitely offer a Leisurely walk and, subject to participant numbers, will also offer an Active route option. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.• Can I attend on my own?
Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.• I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.• What transport is provided during this experience?
We do not provide any transport for this experience. On some days there could be a short drive required to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the accommodation - participants normally car share.• Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.
This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.