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Autumn walks in Gwent and what wildlife to spot

Hamish Blair

Gwent has some amazing Wild Walks to inspire you and connect with nature this autumn, here are some of our top picks!

Over two weeks – 21st  October to 3rd November – the Wildlife Trusts' Big Wild Walk aims to encourage nature lovers to raise money and help restore nature by covering 30 kilometres – it supports our call for at least 30% of our land and sea to be connected and protected for nature’s recovery by 2030

Or you can choose your own challenge to cover 20km, 15km, 3km, or any goal you like – it's up to you!

You can do anything from one hike all in one go to a 1 or 2 km a day over the two weeks (on average walking 1km takes about 10-15 mins) – and you can cover your km challenge indoors or outdoors

How about trying one or more of the following walks:

A turreted castle with a moat

Hamish Blair

Three Castles Walk

The complete circular walk is just over 30km and is great if you would like to visit some historical sites along your walk and enjoy its variety of paths and scenery!

Sections and route:

  • Grosmont Castle to Skenfrith Castle – 7.9km
  • Skenfrith Castle to White Castle (16 min drive from Abergavenny) - 10.9km
  • White Castle to Grosmont Castle – 10.1km

What to spot:

  • Old oaks in undulating farmland 
  • Soaring birds of prey and smaller species such as treecreepers or nuthatches around woodlands

More information via Visit Monmouthshire here

Walkers at Silent Valley woodland

Amanda Jones

Silent Valley Reserve Walk

We have footpaths throughout, the blue route (see map below) is 2km – it's great if you would like a shorter, easier walk through a woodland habitat! There are various paths through and beyond this reserve - with varying levels of difficulty!

What to spot:

  • Big beech trees, with golden leaves
  • Goshawks can be heard (and even seen) around the area
  • Autumn is a great time for spotting a variety of woodland fungi species
Silent Valley Reserve Routes Map
Skirrid Mountain

Hamish Blair

Skirrid Circular Walk

The walk is about 5km it's great if you would like more of a challenge and scenic views! You can view the route online here [Os Maps].

What to spot:

  • Welsh Mountain Ponies on the Skirrid itself
  • There are many impressive lichens of note due to the good clean air
Peterstone Wentlooge

Lowri Watkins 

Peterstone Wentlooge Walk

Walk along the Wales Coastal Path look across an important coastal habitat – the mudflats and and salt marshes are home to migrating birds and plant species such as Marsh Mallow!

Route info

 

What to spot:

  • A great spot for birds all year round
  • Birds you may see are redshank, shoveler and if you're really lucky, a Short-eared owl

More info about and how to take part in this years Big Wild Walk can be found here:

Big Wild Walk [Wildlife Trusts]

 

Then, once you are signed up you will receive a sponsorship form, social media post templates, and can create your own fundraising page that you can share! Also, you can join the Big Wild Walk 2024 Facebook page here. 

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