Offa's Dyke Path

OVERVIEW

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.

STAGES

Prestatyn to Ruthin

Planned to be walked in the future...

Ruthin to Langollen

Planned to be walked in the future...

Langollen to Chirk

Planned to be walked in the future...

Chirk to Trefonen

Planned to be walked in the future...

Trefonen to Buttington

Planned to be walked in the future...

Buttington to Knighton

Planned to be walked in the future...

Knighton to Hay-on-Wye (★★★☆☆)

Walked without writeup (writeup to follow in the future)

Hay-on-Wye to Pandy (★★★★☆)

Walked without writeup (writeup to follow in the future)

Pandy to Monmouth (★★★★★)

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).

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).

Monmouth to Chepstow (★★★★☆)

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.

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.