[1] The walk starts from the Bandstand on the riverside, in Wye Street in Ross.
(A). Originally Wye Street was the main route into Ross from Hereford before the current road that passes below the Gazebo Tower was built in the 1820s; it used to be called Dock Street, reflecting the navigable state of the river in years gone by. The Bandstand is a much more recent arrival. Ross-on-Wye Lions Club raised the funds to build it, and presented it to Ross Town Council on Bank Holiday Monday in May 2005. There are band concerts almost every weekend during the summer.
Cross Wye Street, opposite the Bandstand, and walk along the tarmac path towards the river and canoe launch. On reaching the river bank turn right and follow it upstream along the tarmac path. Go past the Hope and Anchor Inn. (This section of the walk is part of the "Ross Buggy Route". Devised by Ross Ramblers it is a circular route of about 4 miles suitable for users of wheelchairs, electrically powered invalid vehicles, pushchairs and buggies. There are numerous entry and exit points).
(B). On reaching a large grassy area known as The Ropewalk you will see a superb metal sculpture. This was made by the internationally renowned local sculptor, Walenty Pytel, and is entitled “Swans in Flight”. It is one of a pair of riverside sculptures, the other one being downstream towards Wilton Bridge.
The path eventually bears right and meets the road leading into the grounds of Ross-on-Wye Rowing Club.
(C). Ross-on-Wye Rowing Club is the oldest sporting club in the town. It is currently thriving and enjoying success in regattas all over the country. The junior section is particularly successful. Every August Bank Holiday the club organises one of the biggest rowing regattas in the country.
[2] Cross the road and continue over the bridge that crosses the Rudhall Brook. Bear left along the edge of a field around the perimeter of the rowing club, following the direction markers for the Wye Valley Walk. Shortly after crossing back over the Rudhall Brook, the path bears half-right and rejoins the river bank.
As you head towards the bridge that takes the main A40 dual carriageway across the Wye, don’t forget to look back to see the world famous view of Ross. Across the river, to the left, the recently restored ruins of Wilton Castle can be seen. Pass beneath the bridge and continue alongside the river, enjoying the views to the left towards Wyelea and Ashe Ingen Court.
[3] About half a mile beyond the bridge follow the Wye Valley Walk markers as the path bears right, away from the river, and then left onto the path of the dismantled Hereford to Ross railway line.
[4] Continue along the old railway line for about half a mile ignoring a crossing path, then look for a stile down a short flight of steps on your right. Go down the steps, cross the stile and walk along the right hand edge of a field until you reach the river bank once again at a point where the path meets a farm track. The route of the walk follows this track to the right but it is worthwhile walking a short “out and back” deviation to the left for about 150 yards.
(D). If you do, you will see a cast iron memorial on the river bank, which commemorates the Reverend Helier Evans, vicar of nearby Brampton Abbotts, who died tragically in 1904 having just saved the life of his son who got into difficulties while swimming. And from about here, if you look further down the river, you should spot the still splendid pillars of Backney Railway Bridge. There is a possibility that Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, will build a light bridge for cyclists and walkers, using the old pillars. This would provide a circular link from Ross to the Backney side of the river and would be a major benefit.
Return to the junction of the path and continue along the track. The Wye Valley Walk turns off to the left but we go straight on along the track towards a small group of farm buildings known as “The Cott”. The track rises gently until it reaches Townsend Farm. Turn left and walk between the farm buildings until you reach a lane.
[5] Turn right and follow the lane past several cottages and a very old orchard. The lane turns sharply left and then right before reaching the lych gated entrance to St Michaels churchyard. Go through the gate, head across the churchyard and go out through a gate in the far wall into a field.
(E). St Michael’s was closed in September 2008 as the roof is unsafe. After the final service the Bishop of Hereford led a procession taking the precious items to Bridstow Church for safe keeping. The event ended 800 years of worship on this site although there are hopes that the building will be conserved. From the churchyard there are lovely views across to May Hill in the east ( its crown of pine trees was planted to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887) , towards Ross to the south, and down the Wye Valley to the south west.
Follow the path from the churchyard straight down across the next two fields towards Netherton. At the end of the field go through a gate down onto a narrow lane and continue straight on down the lane. The lane drops down into a small valley, known locally as “The Dingle”. In the bottom of the valley a small private lake on the right is a haven for wildlife and swans. Continue along the lane and up the short, steep climb to reach a slightly wider lane, Brampton Road. Take the high level pavement on the right and walk in front of the houses to reach the bridge over the main A40 dual carriageway.
[6] Do not cross the bridge but turn right to walk downhill parallel to the dual carriageway. This residential area of the town is known as Greytree. Pass a succession of roads to your right, named First Avenue to Sixth Avenue, and pass beneath the dual carriageway bridge. Carry on past terraced houses until you reach the entrance to a car park, on your right.
[7] Go into the car park and cross, slightly towards the left, to a bridge over the brook. As you cross the bridge on your right you will see a large grating that is part of the recently installed Ross flood alleviation scheme. You have now arrived back on the The Ropewalk on the opposite side to the swans sculpture. (This is where ropes used to be made, and wicker baskets were woven using willow from the withy beds that could once be found in this area).
Keep to the left hand tarmac path below the houses.
(F). You will pass a house perched high on the bank to your left, marked with a circular blue plaque. This is Thrushes Nest, the home of Sir Frederick Burroughs, a native of Ross who started work as a porter at Ross railway station and rose to become the last British Governor of Bengal. He was reported as saying at the time of his investiture: “I know more about shunting and tooting than hunting and shooting”.
The remains of the old town wall can be seen on your left. At the end of The Ropewalk swing right around the Hope and Anchor Inn back towards the river to join the tarmac path; turn left and walk downstream to your start point at the Bandstand.