Green Travel

You can travel to this part of Wales very easily from the rest of the UK, with train stations at Abergavenny, Caldicot, Chepstow, and Severn Tunnel Junction. If you’re driving an electric car, use ZapMap to find public charging points and accommodation which has charging points on site. The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny has a two-seater Renault Twizy electric car available for guests to explore the area in a fun, eco-friendly way.

(The Angel Hotel's Renault Twizy)

You can continue using green methods of transport during your stay, with just a little thinking ahead. Traveline Cymru is a useful journey planner which includes public transport, cycling and walking options. Here are some suggestions for exploring Monmouthshire, without it costing the earth.

On foot

Bus services run throughout the rural county of Monmouthshire (though not as regularly as in cities), and are a useful way of getting to the start of a linear route, then walking back to your base. Here are some stunning walks served by regular buses: 

• Abergavenny to Govilon (Using the #78 or A3 bus)
• Monmouth to Redbrook (Using the #69 bus)
• Chepstow to Black Rock along the Wales Coast Path (Using the #74 or X74 to / from Black Rock House in Portskewett)

Explore a section of the gorgeous Wye Valley Walk by catching the number 69 bus from Chepstow to Tintern. Get off at the bus stop opposite Tintern Abbey, and, with the abbey on your right, take the narrow lane uphill. Turn left at the top, and you’re on the waymarked Wye Valley Walk. Set out early, and you’ll have time to explore Tintern Abbey before doing the 5-mile walk back to Chepstow. Plan your route with this map or OS Explorer 14 Map (available from Chepstow TIC).

The easternmost stretch of the Beacons Way from Llanvihangel Crucorney to Abergavenny is a fairly strenuous 7-mile walk with amazing views at the top of the Skirrid Fawr. From Abergavenny, catch the X3 bus to Llanvihangel Crucorney, and get off at The Skirrid Inn. With the inn on your right walk south. Opposite the steps to the church, take the path between the houses, then carefully cross the A465 road. Take the road ahead of you, signposted to Llanvihangel Court. After passing this Tudor manor house, a footpath to your right takes you to the Skirrid Fawr mountain. The steep climb up the mountain is worth it for the amazing views from the summit. A gradual descent leads you onto country lanes, back into Abergavenny. Plan your route with this map or OS Explorer 13 map.

Pedal Power

(Cycling past Llancayo Windmill near Usk - Callum Baker)

If you’re bringing your own bike to explore Monmouthshire, you’ll appreciate accommodation that has the Cyclists Welcome award so you can be certain of secure bike storage, bike washing facilities and space to dry your outdoor clothing. Whether you’re up for the challenge of the infamous Tumble climb or prefer a gentle pedal along a former railway line from Llanfoist, Lilac Cottage is ideally placed. Penylan Farm Cottages, Wern Farm Cottage and Whitehill Farm are within striking distance of the flattish Peregrine Path which follows the River Wye and straddles the Wales/England border. For easy access to the Wye Valley Greenway – a route designed for cyclists, walkers and wheelchair users - stay at Tintern Abbey Cottage, overlooking the iconic abbey.

Whether you’re looking for a guided family bike ride along a former railway line or a thrilling mountain bike descent, Huw Dullea at Tread and Trails is the go-to expert in the Abergavenny area. Keen to protect the environment where he cycles, his business donates 1% of its sales to local voluntary organisations that protect and enrich the environment.

Tied E-Bike Tours will take you on a full day guided tour of the Wye Valley on premium electric bikes, which make light work of the undulating landscape in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Starting in Monmouth (which can be reached by bus or car), informative guides lead you past spectacular Tintern Abbey and the Angiddy Valley’s little-known industrial heritage, with a lunch stop at a friendly pub. If you prefer to explore the area without a guide, Launch Bikes offer bikes for hire, and know all the best routes in the Wye Valley.

Solar power

(Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal - Beacon Park Boats)

Beacon Park Boats combines green travel with eco-accommodation. This innovative business has recently designed and built a revolutionary electric narrowboat for holidays on the Monmouthshire & Brecon canal. Through cutting-edge technology, this 5-star boat (called Robin) cruises the waterway for a week on green energy, without the need to charge its batteries. Before your holiday begins, energy for the two-berth narrowboat is stored in batteries which are charged using solar panels at the wharf. As you cruise, hot water for the kitchen and shower room is produced via a solar-driven water source heat pump, using the canal water as the heating medium. The ultimate luxury, green holiday!

Specialist tour operators

(White Castle on the Three Castles Walk - Crown Copyright)

To inspire you to stay that little bit longer, take a look at the itineraries offered by walking and cycling tour operators. Leave the planning and luggage transfers to them, and set off to enjoy your self-guided adventure.

Walk the entire Offa’s Dyke Path (or just a section of it) with Celtic Trails, based in Tintern. Explore the Wye Valley Walk with another local business, Great British Walks. The Three Castles Walk perfectly fills a short break, but if you’re in no rush, discover more of the Brecon Beacons, beginning in Abergavenny. Drover Holidays offer guided and self-guided walking and cycling holidays, and even dog-friendly walking holidays so you can bring your best friend along. If you’re looking for a challenge, Bikecation offers a road cycling break which includes the infamous Tumble climb up Blorenge mountain. For a variety of perspectives, Wheely Wonderful Cycling offers a cycling and canoeing holiday in the Wye Valley.

For plenty of ideas, take a look at more of the walking and cycling routes in Monmouthshire.