Monmouthshire lies in the south-east corner of Wales, between Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons) and the English border. It combines hill country to the north with the wooded gorge of the Wye Valley to the east.

Abergavenny and the hills. Abergavenny sits among a ring of hills that is popular with walkers. The Skirrid (Ysgyryd Fawr), the Sugar Loaf (Mynydd Pen-y-fal) and the Blorenge all have well-used paths to their summits, and the Black Mountains lie to the north.

The Wye Valley. The River Wye winds through a steep wooded gorge, part of the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, between Monmouth and Chepstow. The ruins of Tintern Abbey stand on the riverbank, and woodland paths climb to viewpoints such as the Wyndcliff. The Wye Valley Walk follows the river for much of its length.

Monmouth and Chepstow. Monmouth is a historic market town with a castle and a 13th-century gatehouse bridge, and Chepstow, with its castle above the Wye, is the southern end of Offa’s Dyke Path.

Hill paths can be steep and exposed, and woodland paths may be muddy after rain, so wear sturdy footwear.