Offa's Dyke Path

Offa's Dyke Path (Welsh: Llwybr Clawdd Offa) is a long distance footpath along the Welsh-English border. Opened in 1971, it is one of Britain's premier National Trails and draws walkers from throughout the world. Much of the 283 km (177 miles) long route either follows, or keeps close company with, the remnants of Offa's Dyke, an 8th century earthwork, the majority of which was probably constructed on the orders of Mercian King Offa.

Walking

Most walkers travel south to north, starting by the Severn estuary, at Sedbury, near Chepstow, and finishing at Prestatyn on the north coast. The walk will take an average walker roughly 12 days to complete, although this can vary depending on individual fitness, attitude, the weather, age and experience. Following a man-made border and ancient monument, rather than natural features, the dyke crosses a variety of different landscapes. The route crosses the Black Mountains, the Shropshire hills (including the many ups and downs of the 'Switchback', for many walkers the hardest part of the walk) the Eglwyseg mountains near Llangollen, and the Clwydian Range.

It passes through, or close to, the towns of Chepstow, Monmouth, Abergavenny, Hay-on-Wye, Kington, Knighton, Montgomery and then in and around the North Wales towns and villages of Llangollen, Llandegla, Clwyd Gate, Bodfari and Dyserth.

The half-way point of the walk is marked by the Offa's Dyke Centre in Knighton.

a certain vigorous king called Offa......had a great dyke built between Wales and Mercia from sea to sea.

Asser

References

Further Reading

• Offa's Dyke Path, David Hunter. Cicerone 2008 ISBN 978 1 85284 549 0

External links

• The Offa's Dyke Association
• Offa's Dyke