A FABULOUS stile-free eight-and-a-half mile walking loop from Ross to Hole in the Wall and back has been created.

Devised by the Ross Walkers are Welcome group, the illustrated walk starts at the bandstand in Wye Street and goes down to the River Wye and join the Wye Valley Walk past the Rowing Club and under the busy A40.

As you follow the river note the remains of Backney Bridge that used to carry the railway line from Hereford to Ross. A couple more fields and you finish in the hamlet of Hole in the Wall.

After a short rest on the convenient bench turn south and pick up the Herefordshire Trail down through Brampton Abbotts where the ancient Norman Church of St Michael is well worth a look.

And by picking up the Herefordshire Trail again, the walk then takes you over the A40 and back to Ross town centre.

Ahead of this year’s Walking Festival, which runs between September 26 and 28, here are some other examples of the walks taking place on the first day.

The first walk is an early morning stroll beside the Wye where walkers can listen and look for local bird life with Ed Drewitt, local naturalist.

In the past this three-mile walk has documented 30 different birds, but nothing is guaranteed. Binoculars essential, the numbers are limited.

The walk to the Woolhope Dome is through the remains of sedimentary limestone which was laid down millennia ago and includes a stretch of the Wye Valley Way.

The area is now a wildlife sanctuary, renowned for its diverse fauna and flora. The return walk is eight-and-a-half miles.

A further walk along the Wye includes a cruise along the river. After walking along the Wye the route cross the river at the Biblins suspension bridge.

On the return to Symonds Yat where, weather permitting, a river boat will embark on a 40-minute cruise and take the opportunity to have a picnic lunch.

The route recrosses the Wye using the ancient rope ferry (small charge) then it’s an easy walk back along the river to the start point. The walk is six-and-a-half miles in distance.

Another route involves a climb up to the top of Coppett Hill where walkers can enjoy some of the best views in the area. Then it along the Wye stopping for lunch and finishing at Goodrich castle where there is a café.

Another walk along the riverbank of the Wye from Ross to Townsend farm where ‘Regen Ben’ will talk about regenerative farming and how this method is the future of farming. The route meanders the way back through Brampton Abbots to Ross town centre.

A walk around the lanes and alleyways of Ross has been devised. Most of them are narrow and many lead to places of interest around the town.

A lot of these walks are invisible to the modern-day car driver, so it’s best to discover the lost part of Ross on foot.

For more information visit walkinginross.co.uk .