Offa's Dyke Path
OVERVIEW
For this section I started from Chirk train station, and walked up the Llangollen Canal to Pentre, where I joined the trail. From here, the trail heads out across the fields and lanes, with views out towards Chirk Castle, before dropping down - and crossing over - the River Ceiriog.
For this section I rejoined the trail from Oswestry (using the paths across the Llanforda Estate), and then headed south through fields and lanes to reach Trefonen. From here the path cuts across to Moelydd Uchaf, which has great views out across the surrounding countryside.
When doing this section I started in Abergavenny and then used the Beacons Way to join up with the Offa's Dyke Path (heading over Ysgyryd Fawr on the Becaons Way).
From Monmouth, the trail heads up a steep climb to Kymin, where you can see the Naval Temple (see the writeup for a picture) - and then heads on along a very nice stretch of path to Redbrook.
Between 757 and 796, King Offa of Mercia built a small earthwork along a route that largely delineates modern date Wales and England - and this walk follow the route of that earthwork across the countryside. And at the time of construction it marked the border between Mercia and the Welsh Kingdoms.
This wall is newer than Hadrian's Wall, but less dramatic - but what this route does offer is a great walk across some fabulous countryside.
The route starts at Liverpool Bay and heads down along the Clwydian Range - before heading past the pretty valleys around Llangollen. From here it heads down to the west of Oswestry, to the east of Welshpool - and past Montgomery to Knighton.
Here it meets up with Glyndwr's Way (a rugged route across Wales), and heads down to Hay-on-Wye - after which it runs along the edge of the Brecon Beacons, before cutting down to Monmouth.
From Monmouth it follows the Wye Valley to Chepstow, where it meets up with the River Severn.
PRACTICALITIES
Camping is probably the easiest accommodation along the route, but it is possible to avoid camping - and there are access points at which the route can be broken up.
At the north end of the trail there is plenty of accommodation - and a train station at Prestatyn. At the south end of the trail there is a train station in Chepstow and again plenty of accomodation.
Along the trail you may have to venture slightly off route to find accommodation, but the route passes close to Ruthin, Llangollen, Chirk, Oswestry and Welshpool on the first set of stages heading south (with trains allowing for a split in the trail at Chirk and Welshpool).
There is then a long section between Welshpool and Knighton (which again has a train station) - my plan is to do this is a single one day walk (although quite a long one), but you might be able to break it up at Montgomery or another town along this stretch.
From Knighton the next accommodation is at Kington, and then Hay-on-Wye - and there was accommodation in Pandy when I last walked the trail. This time round though, I plan to split the journey at Pandy and head down to the train at Abergavenny.
From Pandy, the next obvious stop is at Monmouth (which is one of the easiest along the trail) - and then you can get down to Chepstow to complete the trail.
USEFUL LINKS
Guidebook : Offa's Dyke Path : National Trail
National Trail Website : Offa's Dyke Path - National Trails
STAGES
Prestatyn to Dyserth - Clwydian Range
Planned to be walked in 2027...
Dyserth to Llandegla - Clwydian Range
Planned to be walked in 2027...
Llandegla to Pentre - Clwydian Range
Planned to be walked in 2027...
From here there is a steep climb over the ridge on the opposite valley side, as the trail heads round to Craignant, mostly heading along the edge of fields (with Offa's Dyke forming part of the hedge line). Once past Craignant the trail heads across to Oswestry Race Course (now common land) via fields and lanes before reaching the woods above Tyn-y-coed.
From here I used the paths across the Llanforda Estate to reach Oswestry, and this proved to be a decent route.
This section totaled 15.0 miles (which which 9.7 miles were on the Offa's Dyke Path), with over two thousand feet of ascent.
Next the path heads down off the ridge, and then on through Porth-y-waen, before doing a loop of Llanymynech Hill (although here we get limited views and have a not so good path that circles the golf course in the centre of the hill).
Next we drop into Llanymynech, and start following the Montgomery Canal (a disused but scenic canal), before a less good section along the River Severn, before we return to the Montgomery Canal. Here I left the trail, and used the Montgomery Canal to reach Welshpool.
This section totaled 23.1 miles (of which 16.9 miles were along the Offa's Dyke Path), with nearly two thousand feet in total, but with around half a thousand feet getting onto the trail from Oswestry.
Buttington to Knighton - Shropshire Hills
Planned to be walked in 2027...
Knighton to Hay-on-Wye (★★★☆☆)
Walked without writeup (writeup to follow in the future)
Hay-on-Wye to Pandy (★★★★☆) - Breacon Beacons
Walked without writeup (writeup to follow in the future)
After this there was a straight-forward join with the Offa's Dyke Path just past Pandy - and from here I headed on through Llangattock Lingoed, where you find the exceptionally beautiful St Cadoc's Church. From here we head on to Caggle Street, and then on past White Castle to Treadam and Llantilio Crossenny.
Next we cut over to Llanfihangel Ystum Llewern - and then through King's Wood to Monmouth (the easiest stopping over point on the trail.
This section totaled 21.8 miles (although only 14.8 miles were on the Offa's Dyke Path) - with three thousand feet of ascent (but only one and half thousand feet on the Offa's Dyke Path).
From here there is another steep climb up, after which we head through Highbury Wood, and then across the fields - before passing through Bigsweir Wood, before dropping down to Bigsweir Bridge.
Here you have the option of continuing along the River Wye, but I headed back up the ridge and then there is a section where the path wiggles around, as it navigates past the farms and houses. Eventually we pass above Brockweir, and on through Caswell Wood, passing the Devil's Pulpit along the way.
Next we head on through the villages that sit outside Chepstow and then at Tutshill the path continues on round to Sedbury Cliffs - but with that final mile not being particularly rated by other walkers, I just skipped it and headed into Chepstow directly.
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