LOWER WYE VALLEY
2007 John Willson et al.
Please Note: We are currently preparing a new edition of this guide which is expected to be available 2025. In the meantime our South West Climbs Vol 1 has full details of the best climbs in the Lower Wye Valley plus Symonds Yat.
A copy of this Lower Wye Valley guidebook plus associated update supplements is available as a free download in the Downloads area.
In its lower reaches the River Wye flows through a deep wooded valley which forms the border between Wales and England. The inclusion of crags on both sides of the valley means that this truly is an international guidebook! The major crags, Wintour's Leap, Wynd Cliff, Shorn Cliff and Ban-y-Gor are well known and all give superb climbing on generally steep limestone and there is plenty to go at although, as with all limestone crags, the number of good routes below Severe is limited.
A visit to the Lower Wye valley is easily combined with a visit to Symonds Yat and/or some of the Sandstone Outcrops of the Forest of Dean which might best be described as 'now for something completely different'.
Contributing authors: Nigel Barry, Martin Beale, Nigel Coe, Jeremy Cowen, Martin Crocker, Gordon Jenkin, Tony Penning, Paul Robertson, Richard Sewards, Tim Wilkinson, John Willson & Paul Wood.
Supplement: Lower Wye Valley Photodiagram Supplement