River Wye tipi camping and canoeing experience
March 16, 2015Guide to adventure activities in the Wye Valley, Forest of Dean and surrounding area
There are many things to do in the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean, outdoor activities are great to do in the area as the wonderful AONB (area of outstanding natural beauty) has many natural locations which are perfect to enjoy activities whilst experiencing the area. Canoeing and kayaking Wye river trips as boat hire, guided, unguided or lessons are very popular, the Wye from Kerne Bridge to Monmouth is the most stunning section of river with cliffs poking through the forest and birds singing away people often say to me they feel they are in the Amazon or some other exotic country. Monmouth is this best place to run trips from due to it’s optimum location in the valley. Rock-climbing and abseiling sessions at Symonds Yat Rock are very popular in the leafy surroundings the climbs are not exposed and a great place to enjoy climbing. Mountain biking is excellent in the Forest of Dean, there is bike hire and marked cycle trails of varying ability from family trails with beautiful picnic sites by lakes to more technical blue and red runs for more challenging riding, there is also a mini-bus uplift and downhill runs for the more adrenaline focused riders who prefer not to ride both ways along with bike hire at Pedalabikeaway or at Dean Forest Cycles. Wye Tipi Camping provide Mountain biking including bike hire and guides so you can see and ride the best of the area for any level of riders from families to experts. At Mallards Pike lake there is also a Go-ape Ropes Course, it is a beautiful place for walks, links to the family cycle trail and there is an Adidas running trail there too, The Forest of Dean Autumn Half Marathon often passes this way. The Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons are not far either, the Sugar Loaf and Skirrid are a 30 minute drive with many other mountain walks to do beyond there around Abergavenny, Crickhowell, Talybont, Llangorse and Brecon. It’s about an hours drive to some of the car parks to walk the famous ridge including Pen y Fan and Cribyn.