Local walks

Tintern & Devil’s Pulpit Circular

Grade: Strenuous | Time: ~1 hour round trip

Start Point: Reddings Retreat, Tintern

🌟 January Walk of the Month

Tintern, Devil's Pulpit & Brockweir
Grade: Moderate | Length: 7.5 miles / 12.2 km | Time: 5 hours | Route: The circular route of Tintern - Offa's Dyke - Devil's Pulpit - Brockweir - Tintern is an must, with breath taking views and wonderful photo opportunities along the way.

Overview: This short but steep walk rewards you with one of the most iconic views in the Wye Valley — looking down on Tintern Abbey from the Devil’s Pulpit. It’s especially magical in winter, when the golden light filters through bare branches and the valley feels hushed and timeless.

We’ve chosen this route as our January Walk of the Month — perfect for a crisp morning climb, a reflective pause at the top, and a warm return to your retreat.

Tintern and the Devil's Pulpit Circular

Head out on this 8.7-km circular trail near Chepstow, Monmouthshire. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 35 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, running, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are April through September. 

Route Highlights:

  • Climb the woodland steps from the Wye Valley Walk

  • Pause at the Devil’s Pulpit viewpoint

  • Return via the same path or loop through Offa’s Dyke

🗺️ Route Stages

Riverside Warm-Up
Start at Tintern Abbey car park and head to the footbridge over the River Wye.
Approx. 1.4 km | 26 minutes

North-Bank Ramble
Cross into England and follow the old railway line past Tintern Station tunnel and wood sculptures. Look out for kingfishers darting in the shallows.
Approx. 1.9 km | 35 minutes

Woodland Ascent
At the fork, bear left onto a steep footpath climbing through mixed woodland up to Offa’s Dyke.
Approx. 1.2 km | 21 minutes

Offa’s Dyke Connection
Turn left onto Offa’s Dyke National Trail and follow it to the Devil’s Pulpit viewpoint, with Tintern Abbey laid out below. Photo stop: the Abbey vista is worth every step.
Approx. 0.9 km | 16 minutes

Devil’s Pulpit Summit
From the pulpit, continue east, then descend a narrow green lane into Brockweir.
Approx. 0.6 km | 11 minutes

Stones-and-Steps Descent
Cross back into Wales via Brockweir road bridge and drop down stone steps to re-join the riverside railway path. Take care—surfaces can be slippery when wet.
Approx. 1.2 km | 21 minutes

Riverside Return
Pass Tintern Station visitor centre and Tintern Parish Church, then follow the riverbank path back to the Abbey car park, enjoying those riverside reflections on your way home.
Approx. 1.3 km | 23 minutes

 

More details: Trail map & route description

Guest Tip: This route is wonderfully scenic but can get muddy on the inclines. Sturdy, grippy footwear will keep you confident on every stage. Take pauses at the Offa’s Dyke junction and Devil’s Pulpit to soak in the valley’s winter hush and reconnect with nature. Early or late in the day you’ll find fewer crowds—perfect for reconnecting with nature.