Places to explore in MonmouthshireWales · South East Wales

Flat-topped sandstone summits, waterfall gorges and dark skies along the roof of south Wales.

1,350 km²

Roofless Cistercian abbey in the Wye Valley.

Large reservoir in the hills between Usk and Pontypool, with a visitor centre, lakeside trails and watersports.

Britain's oldest stone castle above the Wye.

Walk the outline of a whole nation — 870 miles of cliff, estuary and beach from Chepstow round to Queensferry.

1400 km · spans 16 counties

Cider farm near Skenfrith making award-winning single-variety ciders, with orchard tours, tastings and a cider shop.

Steep wooded gorge cut by the River Clydach between Brynmawr and Abergavenny, with waterfalls, cascades and ancient beechwoods.

Rocky outcrop on the England side of the wooded Wye gorge, giving the classic framed view down onto Tintern Abbey.

Cliff-top lookout above the Wynd Cliff near St Arvans, the highest point on the Monmouthshire bank of the Wye, reached by a long flight of steps.

A rock-cut cave and cliff-edge viewing platform above the Wye, part of the 18th-century Piercefield picturesque walks, named for a lost statue of a boulder-hurling giant.

Small upland pool on the shoulder of the Blorenge, a former ironworkers' reservoir now a popular walking start with mountain views.

Broad moorland hill above Abergavenny and the Usk valley, easily reached from the Foxhunter car park for sweeping views.