The Wye Valley Greenway is a stunning, 5 mile route that is not only useable by trikes, cargo bikes and more, but is also wheelchair-friendly. Do note though that the kilometre-long Tidenham tunnel is only open between the 1st of April to the 30th of September, and closed at night. There is a signed, on-road diversion, for then the tunnel is closed.
The tunnel is normally open during the following times:
1 April – 30 April: 8am-6pm
1 May – 15 Aug: 7am-7pm
16 Aug – 30 Sep: 8am-6pm
Beneath the interactive map for the main greenway route, there’s a second map, for the tunnel bypass route. Please note that the bypass route includes cycling on the usually fairly busy B 4228, followed by some rough forest track cycling, entirely unsuitable for road bikes, and most trikes, or cargo bikes.
The Tidenham Tunnel is closed at night, and during winter, to protect the bats that live in it. When cycling through, please don’t shine lights up towards the roof? The tunnel has built-in, low-level lighting, which should be sufficient for you to see where you’re going.
Wye Valley Greenway overall rating:
(Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of)
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Surface on the route
Roughly a third of the route has a fairly good, sealed surface, while the remainder is unsealer. The unsealed surface can get a bit muddy after rain, but should be fine to cycle all year round.
Refreshments
There are several cafés and shops in Chepstow, and a café at the Tintern end, but nothing in between.
Bikes
Provided the tunnel is open, you can use any type of bicycle on the Wye Valley Greenway.
Toilets
As with refreshment stops, there are toilets at the start and end of the route, but nothing in between.
Hilliness
Overall, the Wye Valley Greenway is relatiely flat, with the steepest gradient of just 4%.
Safety from traffic
The entire route is completely traffic-free.
The grading system I use is explained here.
Points of Interest
The gothic architecture of the ruins of Tintern Abbey impresses to this day. Also consider visiting the mighty Chepstow Castle.
- Taff Trail traffic-free cycle route
Barriers
While there are none of the dreaded A-frame barriers along this route, the gates to the tunnel are left ajar (to reduce the draft through the tunnel).
The gap is only 1.2 metres wide though, so do measure your trike, or cargo bike before riding this route.
Cycle Hire
You can hire bicycles from Pedal A Bike Away.
Child friendliness
Provided the tunnel is open, the route is very suitable for even young kids.
Social safety
Parts of the route can be very isolated.
Weather forecast for the Wye Valley Greenway
What the Wye Valley Greenway looks like
Getting to the Wye Valley Greenway
You can get to Chepstow by train, if you wanted to take your bicycle on the train. As ever, read my Bikes On Trains guide for useful and helpful tips for taking your bike on the train.
Parking near the Wye Valley Greenway
There is parking at Wyedean School, as well as at Tintern Wireworks bridge, on the other end of the greenway. During term time, on week days, please avoid using the school’s main car park.
More Routes
To find more routes, click this link.
DayCycle
DayCycle routes are routes that can can easily be cycled by most people in a day, or part of a day. Do have a look at all the other DayCycle routes available on WillCycle.
Wye Valley Greenway interactive map
You can download the GPX file from the map below, simply by clicking the GPX button. Hovering over the elevation profile will show the elevation for that point along the route, in both metres and feet. It will also show the gradient.
If viewing the map on your phone, you will also see a Find Me, Navigate and Record Route button, below the map. WillCycle Supporters can have voice turn-by-turn navigation of the route.
The route on the map below is for the Tidenham Tunnel bypass, in case the tunnel is closed.
And finally…
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