Wyndcliff Wood, near Chepstow

Welcome

Wyndcliff Wood is home to one of the best viewpoints in the Wye Valley known as the Eagle's Nest.

This famous viewpoint looks across the bend in the river Wye towards the Severn bridges and estuary and, on a clear day, the Cotswold and Mendip hills.

There is a waymarked walking trail from Lower Wyndcliff car park to the viewpoint through the woodland of beech trees and huge yew.

This is a circular walking trail which you can follow in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction to the viewpoint depending on whether you would rather go up or down the 365 Steps.

There are picnic benches in the car park.

Walking trail

The walking trail is waymarked from start to finish.

Look out for the information panel at the start of the trail.

Find out about walking trail grades.

Eagle's Nest Trail

• Grade: strenuous
• Distance: 1¼ miles/1.9 kilometres
• Time: 1 hour
• Trail information: The trail starts over the road from the car park - please take care crossing the road. It is a circular route which you can follow in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction to the Eagle's Nest viewpoint. To avoid climbing up or down several steep flights of steps, you can follow the clockwise route to the viewpoint and return on the same path. There are steep steps down to the viewpoint. There is a bench at the viewpoint. 
• Clockwise route:  Follow the waymarkers through the woodland on a steep and uneven path to the viewpoint. The route returns to the car park down several long flights of very steep and uneven steps (known as the 365 Steps). Some of the steps have handrails and there are steep drops at the side.
• Anti-clockwise route: Follow the waymarkers to climb up several long flights of very steep and uneven steps (known as the 365 Steps) to the viewpoint. Some of the steps have handrails and there are steep drops at the side. The route returns to the car park through the woodland down a steep and uneven path.

The famous Eagle's Nest viewpoint was constructed in 1828 for the Duke of Beaufort when such dramatic viewpoints were fashionable.

Please read the trail information carefully before setting off and then follow the waymarkers for your chosen route.

Picturesque Piercefield Walk

The Picturesque Piercefield Walk runs through Wyndcliff Wood.

This historic walk was popular with early tourists to the Wye Valley in the 18th century and many of its features still exist today.

Find out more about the Picturesque Piercefield Walk on the Wye Valley AONB website.

Wye Valley Walk

The Wye Valley Walk passes through Wyndcliff Wood.

This is a 136 mile long distance walk along the River Wye between Chepstow and Hafren Forest.

You can join the route from Lower Wyndcliff car park - look out for the information panel and waymarkers.

Find out more about the Wye Valley Walk on the Wye Valley Walk website.

Wye Valley woodlands

The woodlands of the lower Wye Valley are some of the most beautiful in Britain.

The breath-taking natural scenery here has enthralled visitors for centuries, including painters and poets from Turner to Wordsworth.

Historic viewpoints offer spectacular views across the Wye gorge and river, across to the Bristol Channel and the Severn Bridges.

Every season brings something special; bluebells in spring, lush summer leaves, fantastic autumn colour, and the beauty of winter tree silhouettes.

There are walking trails in three of our other Wye Valley woodlands Beacon View, Manor Wood and Whitestone.

Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The Wye Valley woodlands are situated in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The AONB is an internationally important protected landscape straddling the border between England and Wales.

It surrounds a 58 mile stretch of the River Wye which is recognised for its spectacular gorge scenery, ravine woodlands and farmland.

• Find out more about the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
• Watch our video to find out how we look after the woodlands in the Wye Valley.

National Forest for Wales

The Wye Valley woodlands form part of the National Forest for Wales.

The National Forest will:

• create areas of new woodland
• enhance existing woodlands
• restore Wales’ irreplaceable ancient woodlands

It will form a connected ecological network running throughout Wales, bringing social, economic and environmental benefits.

Parts of the network will eventually form a trail running the length and breadth of Wales, so anyone can access it wherever they live.

For more information go to the National Forest for Wales website.

Visiting safely

We want you to return home safely after your visit here.

You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of any children and animals with you during your visit.

For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely.

Changes to visitor facilities

See the top of this webpage for details of any planned closures or other changes to visitor facilities here.

For your safety, always follow instructions from staff and signs including those for trail diversions or closures.

We may divert or close trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations and we may need to close other visitor facilities temporarily.

In extreme weather, we may close facilities at short notice due to the risk of injury to visitors and staff.

How to get here

Location

Wyndcliff Wood is 3½ miles north of Chepstow.

It is in the county of Monmouthshire.

Ordnance Survey map

Wyndcliff Wood is on Ordnance Survey (OS) map OL 14.

The OS grid reference is ST 526 971.

Directions

Lower Wyndcliff car park (car park for Eagle's Nest Trail)

Follow the A466 from Chepstow towards Tintern.

The Lower Wyndcliff car park is on the right after going through the village of St Arvans.

Upper Wyndcliff car park

Follow the A466 from Chepstow towards Tintern.

Pass through the village of St Arvans and after ⅓ mile, just before the first bend, take the minor road on the left towards Wyndcliffe.

Follow this road for another ⅓ mile and the upper car park is on the right (OS grid reference ST 524 972).

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Chepstow.

For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.

Parking

Parking is free of charge.

Overnight parking is not permitted.

Lower Wyndcliff car park

Lower Wyndcliff car park is the starting point for the Eagle's Nest Trail through the ancient woodland to the viewpoint and 365 Steps.

This large car park is on the A466 just south of Tintern. 

Upper Wyndcliff car park

You can walk directly to the Eagle's Nest viewpoint from the car park at Upper Wyndcliff.

This small car park is accessed via a narrow minor road. 

Contact details

There are no staff at this location.

Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.