Hiking the Three Castles Walk

by Karen Simons

The Three Castles Walk, visiting Grosmont, Skenfrith and White Castle, enjoys twenty miles of the most spectacular views that the Welsh Borderlands can offer. It's a circular trail, and we arrange it as a single centre tour, so you can settle down in one accommodation for the duration.

Enjoying the Three Castles Walk

I stayed close to Grosmont in dog-friendly accommodation so that I could walk with my two dogs. The idea was to rewrite the route notes as well as enjoy a few days away from the office.

While the route might be circular, it’s shaped more like a triangle, with a castle at each point. We divide the trail into three sections, from castle to castle, for our standard itinerary.

Grosmont to Skenfrith

From Grosmont, the trail climbs up to give good views back to the village church and castle, before wandering south over rolling farmland to join the River Monnow as it flows towards Skenfrith, the next castle. Skenfrith church and castle were both a delight. The church houses an ancient relic of a medieval cope (cape) and the tomb of the last governor of the Three Castles.

Skenfrith to White Castle

Leaving Skenfrith, we walked west through changing scenery towards Offa’s Dyke Path and White Castle. The paths were quiet, with only sheep for company.

White Castle is my favourite of the castles on this holiday. It has a wonderful stone-lined moat and outer curtain walls. The fortifications date from 1066, when protection was needed for the Welsh Marshes and the Three Castles were formed under one lordship to defend the area from a Welsh invasion.

White Castle to Grosmont

The final stretch of the trail, heading north now on its return to Grosmont, has spectacular views in all directions with a final climb up to walk along a wooded path before descending to the historic church and castle. Again, both are well worth a visit and a climb up the ruins of Grosmont castle gives a great final photo shot of this pretty little village.

Trail complete, we walked back to our accommodation for a celebratory cream tea on the lawn. 

Interested in walking the Three Castles Walk?

Contours Holidays offer two itineraries for the Three Castles Walk. Find your holiday here:

Three Castles Walk

Contours Holidays pride ourselves on our expert knowledge of the UK’s trails. We regularly set out to check our routes and directions and to make improvements on the holidays we offer. You can find several write-ups of staff expeditions in our Trail Diaries.