The fourth heatwave of this summer is coming to an end, and I needed to clear the dust from a third Joust weekend our of my lungs. I had found a couple of walks out of the Wittiwake guide to Hay based around Peterchurch in the Golden valley, that I could combine for a longer walk.
The walks to Michaelchurch Esclay and Birchy Hill climbed both sides of the valley and started at the car park beside the church.
The car park was full so I parked beside the road next to it and walked down the lane past the church.
Then around the car park for a contractor of some description.
Along the path (this was the Herefordshire Trail) to Hinton Court, then along the back road to Hinton Cross.
Opposite a house I crossed the hedge and into a field, following the hedge around and over the end of some narrower ones.
Leaving the Herefordshire Trail and climbing through an overgrown hedge and path.
Then up two fields to a second back lane (Long lane).
Another overgrown stile and over a grass field to a farm. Around the farm buildings and into the grass field behind.
Over the hill behind the farm and down into the valley behind.
The path angled across the slope over a ploughed field.
A third field led to a stream crossing (hidden in the undergrowth). I was glad for the GPS to show where the path should go as the signs were not existing.
Up the field behind and a swap over the fence before climbing to Oatley farm.
Through the farm and up the drive to the back road.
Along the road and a slight drop of Urishay farm.
The ruins of a chapel hiding the castle remains behind.
Then climbing behind the farm.
Up the field (with a new hardstanding) and through the grass to the corner above.
Behind there was a better view of the castle.
Another hidden stile left the field led to grass fields, and then Urishay Court.
Here there were all kinds of signs but none for the path. Again thanks to the GPS I found where it should go.
A bridge over a stream (with stuck gates) that I could walk over. Then into fields following a track through the grass.
At the corner of the grass field a set of stiles crossed to a new tree plantation and after a maze path before emerging into a grass field.
Through an overgrown grass field, and another GPS positioning to find the path onwards.
Over this bridge, and a climb up to Wern William farm.
At the farm I followed the drive out to the back road , after dallying with the signed path beside the house.
Straight over the back road and into a grass field. Over the rolling hill and down to the Cefn-Ceist farm.
past the farm and down the cow pasture before a gate passed into a wood.
Here I had to find the right track out - there were many and varied tracks but eventually I found the right one.
The path contoured across the slope and over some fences to reach Wern Ifor Wood.
Down the side of the woods to a farm track.
The farm track led down to the back road that led past Bank farm to Michaelchurch Escley.
Past the church and ten down to the bridge pub.
Opposite the pub a stile led to a steep ascent up through grass fields
Still climbing as the path continued in the same direction.
Along a back road and a short cut behind buildings. A second back road dropping down to opposite Walters place.
Leaving the road along a drive, before cutting over the field behind.
Continuing in the same direction through more fields.
Dropping down to cross a stream (no bridge), then climbing up to go around Dolward farm.
Behind the farm a gate in the corner led to the back of the farmyard. Then along the farm track to fields.
At the end of the track the path followed hedges over several "flatish" fields.
After a couple of fields the track merged onto a farm track heading towards Shegear farm.
Dropping down the side of Green's wood, then another GPS following aroudn a new fence to drop down to a stream.
At the stream (a ford) I re-joined the Herefordshire trail.
The trail crossed a grass field to down beside a house where the garden was full of ducks.
Back at Peterchurch and time to transfer to the second walk.
On a back road I crossed the B4348.
Along hte back road to Wellbrook manor.
A steep climb up from the village over a grass field.
The slope eased a bit as the path contoured the next slope.
Around the slope then across the back, still climbing to reach a tree line at the end of the field.
Following the path across fields until a sharp turn following the hedge.
A long U bend - following the hedge to a gate onto a farm track that then dropped down beside Barratt's Hill Wood.
Back up the back road behind Bank house.
Next a long gravel track - very straight climbing.
Looking over to the Wye valley from the trig point.
The track continued along to Lyonshall Barn. Then entering into Rough Leath Wood - an open access wood owned by the dutchy of Cornwall.
Following the track through the woods, keeping left at the junction.
At the edge of the wood. another sharp turn to follow the edge back the way I had come.
Part way along the path crossed the fence into the field beside it.
The path left the fields along an overgrown path beside a new fence, half in the woods.
An open grass field followed down beside a stream and onto a drive way.
Along the driveway to St. Peter's Well
A path along the hedge of The Wells Cottage mutated into a sunken track.
The sunken track continued to a cross paths, and I turned towards Peterchurch down a wider track.
The track widened into a driveway (from Bazley farm), and into the village.
through the village and back to the car park.
