Wysis Way
A 55-mile long-distance path in Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire linking two National Trails—Offa’s Dyke Path and the Thames Path. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SO 509 128
Distance: 55 miles (88 km)
Time: 22–27 hours
Duration: 3–5 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
OL14 Wye Valley and Forest of Dean
168 Stroud, Tetbury and Malmesbury
179 Gloucester, Cheltenham and Stroud
189 Hereford and Ross-on-Wye
Summary
The Wysis Way is a long-distance footpath linking the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail at Monmouth to the beginning of the Thames Path National Trail at Kemble in Gloucestershire. The walk crosses the distinctive areas of the Forest of Dean, the Severn Vale, and the Cotswolds.
Starting from the Wye Bridge in Monmouth, the Wysis Way heads eastwards up The Kymin and into the Forest of Dean. Heading primarily eastwards, the trail goes through Hillersland before continuing through the forest, passing through Nailsbridge, Harrow Hill, and Mitcheldean on its way to the summit of May Hill, which provides views of the River Severn. From May Hill, it continues eastward through Glasshouse, Taynton, Tibberton, and the edge of Highnam before reaching Gloucester. At Gloucester, the trail starts to head more southerly while maintaining an eastern direction up to the trig point on Robinswood Hill, before continuing southeasterly through Painswick, Bisley, and Oakridge Lynch. Here it turns east along the River Frome and the Thames and Severn Canal to Daneway and Sapperton before reaching its conclusion in Kemble, where it meets the Thames Path.