Offa’s Dyke Path – 14 nights / 13 days walking

About this trail

Your first night will be spent in Chepstow, but the walk actually starts on the banks of the Severn Estuary a couple of miles away and many people like to walk that short stretch on the day they arrive.  Leaving Chepstow, the walk follows the valley of the River Wye, sometimes along its banks and sometimes high up on forested slopes above the river. You pass through pretty Monmouth, before crossing farmland and then ascending the Black Mountains where the trail reaches its highest point on Hatterall Ridge, from where fabulous views can be had.

After lovely Hay-on-Wye with its many bookshops, you spend a couple of days crossing the Radnorshire Hills before arriving at Knighton, the halfway point of the walk and home to the excellent Offa’s Dyke Exhibition Centre.  Continuing on, there is more hilly terrain around Clun before the flatter plain of Montgomery and the valley of the River Severn.

On the last third of the trail you’ll pass Chirk and its great castle, and have the option to stay in Llangollen, located on the River Dee and home to the annual International Eisteddfod.  From here the route climbs to higher ground again as it crosses the rugged Clwydian Range before arriving on the shores of the Irish Sea at Prestatyn.

Terrain and navigation

There are plenty of ups and downs on the Offa’s Dyke Path, as the total ascent/descent of almost 9000m indicates. While it is well within the capability of any fit walker, it is worth considering undertaking shorter daily mileages for those who don’t want things to be too strenuous. Underfoot, the route uses a combination of rugged tracks, meadow paths, and some metalled country lanes.

As a national trail, it is reasonably well signposted, but in some places waymarks may have disappeared and map reading skills will be called upon. As with any hike that crosses exposed and remote ground, being able to map read and navigate with a compass is important in case weather conditions make visibility difficult.

Route elevation

Highest point: 702 metres
Total ascent / descent: 8767 metres / 8780 metres

Included as standard in the price

The price quoted is per person and is based on two people sharing a room. It includes:

• Carefully selected, en-suite bed and breakfast accommodation*
• Daily luggage transfers to your accommodation**
• All the necessary maps and guidebooks for your walk
• Route notes and maps detailing how to find your B&B at the end of each day
• The cost of any transfers that are required from the route to your accommodation if we are unable to book you into a B&B within easy walking distance of the trail
• Information about any special facilities offered by your hosts (eg hot tub or licensed bar)
• Suggestions and contact details for places for an evening meal each day
• Telephone support if required
• Advice from our team on travel to and from the start and end of the trail.

*En-suite is always chosen unless all options are booked out, in which private bathrooms are sought. Customers are always consulted about non-en-suite options before details are finalised.

**Standard package includes one piece of baggage per walker, up to a maximum weight of 20kg. Additional bags can be transferred but incur an additional cost. Please enquire if you need this service.

Packed lunches and evening meals

The cost of these is not included in our standard package. All the accommodation providers we use offer packed lunches to keep you well fed during your walk. Payment is made directly to your hosts. Similarly, if you have an evening meal either at your accommodation or another local establishment, you pay them directly for it.

Optional extras that can be provided by Discovery Travel

Discovery Travel specialises in providing completely tailor-made services to our clients. This means that if our standard published itineraries do not suit our customers’ needs, we are always happy to discuss ways in which we can adjust accommodation, shorten or lengthen itineraries and distances to make for the perfect trip.

We also offer the following services to make for a seamless holiday:

• Transport to and from the start and finish of a trail
• Airport transfers
• Minibus and driver service, in particular for large groups where multiple accommodations are required each night and transfers are frequently required at the end of the day’s walk

If you are interested in any of the above or have any particular requirements, please do contact us to discuss your needs.

Make more of your break

If you would like to pause during your walk and explore one of the overnight locations for longer, you are free to select and add extra days to your holiday at any of your overnight stops. Prices for extra days are quoted above and will be added to the total cost of the holiday. If the itineraries on our website do not quite meet your requirements please do get in touch to arrange a bespoke trip.

Below are some suggestions for good places to spend an extra day or so.

Hay-on-Wye

With more than 30 second-hand and antiquarian bookshops Hay-on-Wye is a book lover’s paradise and home to the world-famous literary festival, as well as being well stocked with good restaurants, cafes and pubs. Flanked by the rolling hills of Radnor, the town has fabulous views of the Brecon Beacons National Park and Black Mountains.

Knighton 

Knighton is home to the Offa’s Dyke Centre – and a midway point on the walk so a good location to pause and reflect on your journey and find out more about the history and heritage of this route.

Welshpool

Explore the imposing Powis Castle with its views over the Severn Valley or take a trip on the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway. The charming town of Montgomery with is museums, castle ruins and brewery is a short taxi ride away.

When to go

The weather in the UK can vary hugely so be prepared for all weathers whatever time of the year. April, May and June are when everything comes to life so it is very green, wild flowers are abundant and blossom abounds. July and August tend to be the warmest months, but it is rarely so warm as to be uncomfortable for walking. September is one of the most pleasant times in the countryside and is quieter as most people with children have finished their holidays. By October the days are getting shorter and the weather can be much more changeable.

Getting to and from the trail

By Air: Cardiff airport is nearest the southern end of the route while Liverpool is closest to the northern end.

By Rail: There are a mainline train stations at Chepstow and Prestatyn. For train times and fares visit National Rail Enquiries.

Got a question about travel? If you need any advice about travel to and from your walk please get in touch with Discovery Travel and we will be happy to help.