Hay on Wye Circular Walk
This circuit around Hay on Wye takes you into the Brecon Beacons National Park on the Offa's Dyke Path. It then climbs to the magnificent viewpoint of Hay Bluff, a few miles to the south of the town.
The walk starts from Hay Castle which was originally constructed in the 11th century. In the 17th century a Jacobean mansion house was built alongside the medieval keep and the property became a private home. From here you can pick up the waymarked Offa's Dyke Path and head south towards Tack Wood. The path climbs to Hay Bluff which lies in the Black Mountains on the border of Wales and England. From the 677 m (2,221 ft) summit there are fabulous views over the Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons and the English county of Herefordshire.
After taking in the views, the path then loops round before descending back towards Tack Wood. Here you can continue along the nice country lane or follow footpaths towards Cusop Dingle and follow the Dulas Brook back to the town.
Here you can enjoy a stroll around the pleasant streets and visit one of the many bookshops which the town is famous for. If you are visiting in late May to June you can enjoy the Hay Festival. The popular literary festival draws about 80,000 visitors to see and hear big literary names from all over the world.
To continue your walking in the area you could climb to Lord Hereford's Knob (Twmpa) which is located just over a mile to the south west of Hay Bluff.
The Wye Valley Walk also passes through the town, running along the Wye River, just behind the town. You could pick up the riverside trail and follow it south west towards Llowes and Glasbury.
Hay on Wye Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Hay on Wye Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Hay on Wye OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Hay on Wye Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Hay on Wye
- Offa's Dyke Path - This incredible 177 mile trail starts on the River Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire in England before taking you over the border into Wales and on through some truly splendid mountainous scenery
- Wye Valley Walk - This walk takes you through the beautiful Wye Valley in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Wales.
The walk begins on the mouth of the River Wye at Chepstow Castle in Monmouthshire and follows the River Wye north to Monmouth, passing the fascinating ruins of Tintern Abbey on the way - Hay Bluff - This is a popular climb to Hay Bluff hill in the Black Mountains
- Lord Hereford's Knob (Twmpa) - This is a short climb to Lord Hereford's Knob or Twmpa in the Black Mountains
- Radnor Forest Ride - A long distance shared walking and cycle path that runs from Llanfair Waterdine on the English-Welsh border to the Brecon Beacons Visitor Centre
- Waun Fach - Climb to the highest mountain in the Black Mountains on this challenging walk in the Brecon Beacons
- Mynydd Du Forest - This large area of woodland in the Black Mountains has miles of forest tracks suitable for walking and mountain biking
- Grwyne Fawr Reservoir - This is a lovely waterside walk along the Grwyne Fawr to Grwyne Fawr Reservoir in the Brecon Beacons
- Talgarth - This ancient market town sits on the edge of the Black Mountains in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
- Bronllys - This walk visits Bronllys Castle just south of the village of Bronllys in Powys
- Glasbury - This pretty riverside village is located in Powys near Hay on Wye.
Photos
Hay Castle, Hay-on-Wye
Footbridge near Cusop
Hay from Offa's Dyke
Offa's Dyke path approaching Tack Wood
Offa's Dyke Trail aiming for Tack Wood
On the road from Gospel Pass
Stone Circle under Hay Bluff
Hay-on-Wye from Hay Bluff