Beacons View, near Monmouth
Walk through heathland and woodland
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Wye Valley woodlands form part of the National Forest for Wales.
The National Forest will:
In time it will form a connected ecological network running throughout Wales, bringing social, economic and environmental benefits.
For more information about the National Forest for Wales go to the Welsh Government website.
Wyndcliff Wood is 3½ miles north of Chepstow.
It is in the county of Monmouthshire.
Wyndcliff Wood is on Ordnance Survey (OS) map OL 14.
The OS grid reference is ST 526 971.
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).
The nearest mainline railway station is in Chepstow.
For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.
Parking is free of charge.
Overnight parking is not permitted.
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.
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.
There are no staff at this location.
Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.