An antiquarian, inventor and pioneer photographer, Alfred Watkins was a born and bred Herefordian who knew the county's roads and byways like the back of his hand. On June 30 1921 Watkins had an extraordinary revelation. As he stood on a Herefordshire hillside, it came to him that straight lines of sight criss-crossed the landscape, connecting ancient and spiritual sites. He christened them ley lines and regarded them as we might imagine a Neolithic Sat Nav – straight tracks enabling our ancestors to situate themselves in the landscape and navigate through it.
The Twin Valley Ley Line Trail touches ancient ley line landmarks and reveals the opposing natures of two rivers, perhaps the oldest paths of all. Walk along lush valleys, climb peaks in the Black Mountains and discover the birthplace of the two rivers - the Dore and the Monnow.
Starting from Dorstone this circular long distance path is a modern pilgrim route uncovering wild landscapes and ancient landmarks. The journey celebrates the discovery of ley lines as it winds its scenic way through two river valleys to lost castles, remote churches, sacred stones and spectacular summits.
Journeying in a clockwise direction, the first half of the route is dotted with interesting historical sites but the later part is a wilder, more remote stretch through dramatic landscape and is more challenging in terms of distance and terrain.
The Twin Valley Ley Line Trail delves deep into Herefordshire's history and untouched landscapes. Commemorating the centenary of the discovery of ley lines in the county, it journeys from remote moorland and summits in the Black Mountains to ancient woodland and undulating fields
Highlights include:
- Climbing to peaks in the Black Mountains
- Visiting the highest of all monastic sites in England
- Tiny churches, packed with character and history
- Heading to the heights where the Rivers Dore & Monnow are born
- Revelling in the stunning views of the Wye Valley from Merbach Hill's summit
- Lush, green landscapes & ancient woodland
- Spying the Exmoor ponies on Ewyas Harold Common
https://www.visitherefordshire.co.uk/see-do/get-active/walking/routes/twin-valley-ley-line-trail
https://ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Twin+Valley+Ley+Line+Trail
