Introduction taken from the guide book by Eira and Harry Steggles.

"This is a linear walk of 65kms (40 miles) though the valley of the River Monnow, from Monmouth, near its confluence with the River Wye, to the headwaters below Hay Bluff.  Here the walk links up with the Offa's Dyke Path National Tral, sharing the same route to the finishing points at Hay-on-Wye.

The River Monnow traverses the once highly contested march lands between England and Wales and it separates the two ancient regions of Gwent and Archenfield.  Until the 19th century, the regions shared a common dialect of Welsh called Gwenhwyseg and this explains why there are so many Welsh places names in Herefordshire.

The walk uses paths which have been selected to provide a special blend of quietness, interesting features and a variety of scenery and terrain.

The mixed farming encountered on the first half of the walk gives way to predominantly pastoral farming and the whole length is interspersed with areas of woodland.  In spring and summertme the copses and flower meadows are carpetred with a rich flora which supports a wide variety of insect, bird and animal life."

For a pdf preview of the guide book and how to obtain a copy - see Publications