12-day Offa's Dyke Path itinerary

1. Day 1 Longest

   Chepstow to Monmouth

   9–10 h 19.4 mi (31.2 km) ↑ 940 m (3,100 ft) ↓ 960 m (3,150 ft)

   The longest day, though not the hardest. Chepstow station is about two miles from the start at Sedbury Cliffs, so allow for the walk out. Then the path climbs onto the escarpment above the Wye, where the woods are muddy and slow in a wet spell. Monmouth's Monnow Bridge, which the trail body calls the only medieval fortified bridge left in Britain, greets you at the end.

   Example stay Premier Inn Monmouth hotel (opens in a new tab)

2. Day 2

   Monmouth to Pandy

   7–8 h 16.2 mi (26.0 km) ↑ 590 m (1,950 ft) ↓ 490 m (1,600 ft)

   Quiet farmland through the old Three Castles country, past White Castle, which the Three Castles Walk links to Grosmont and Skenfrith. Abbey Grace Dieu, founded in 1248, is now only grassy bumps in a field. The dyke is absent all day. Pandy is small, so arrange the evening meal with your bed before you set off.

   Example stay The Rivers Edge (opens in a new tab)

3. Day 3

   Pandy to Hay-on-Wye

   7–8 h 16.1 mi (25.9 km) ↑ 690 m (2,250 ft) ↓ 700 m (2,300 ft)

   The whole of Hatterrall Ridge in one day: a steady climb from Pandy, then about eleven miles high on the border to Hay Bluff. It is exposed, with no shelter and nothing to buy once you are up, so carry the day's food and water. In wind, rain or mist it is much tougher than the distance suggests.

   Example stay The Swan At Hay Hotel (opens in a new tab)

4. Day 4

   Hay-on-Wye to Kington

   7–8 h 15.1 mi (24.3 km) ↑ 690 m (2,250 ft) ↓ 630 m (2,050 ft)

   Lower ground after the ridge, but not an easy day: the small climbs through the border country Francis Kilvert wrote about keep coming. Newchurch's church is always open to walkers and serves tea for a donation. Kington, an old droving town, waits at the foot of Hergest Ridge.

   Example stay Castle Hill House Bed and Breakfast Kington

5. Day 5

   Kington to Knighton

   6–7 h 13.5 mi (21.7 km) ↑ 760 m (2,500 ft) ↓ 740 m (2,450 ft)

   Long stretches beside the dyke today, which the path rejoins on Rushock Hill. Furrow Hill and Hawthorn Hill are the main climbs, with the wood at Granner between. There is little reliable food on the way, so carry lunch from Kington. Knighton sits almost at the halfway point.

   Example stay The Plough Hotel

6. Day 6

   Knighton to Cwm

   7–8 h 14.1 mi (22.6 km) ↑ 1,140 m (3,750 ft) ↓ 1,130 m (3,700 ft)

   The hardest section of the trail, the switchbacks of the Shropshire Hills, one steep climb and drop after another. It comes on the sixth day running, so start early. The path stays close to well-preserved dyke on Llanfair Hill, passes the midpoint marker, and eases after the Kerry Ridgeway.

   Example stay Offa's Dyke Cottage Bed and Breakfast (opens in a new tab)

7. Day 7

   Cwm to Buttington

   6–7 h 13.2 mi (21.2 km) ↑ 420 m (1,400 ft) ↓ 540 m (1,750 ft)

   A gentler day along the national boundary, mostly level beside the dyke. A short detour through Lymore Park reaches Montgomery's castle ruins and cafés. The climb to the Beacon Ring hillfort has a picnic table at the top, then the path drops to the Severn at Buttington.

   Example stay Moors Farm (opens in a new tab)

8. Day 8

   Buttington to Trefonen

   7–8 h 16.6 mi (26.8 km) ↑ 420 m (1,400 ft) ↓ 290 m (950 ft)

   A long day that changes halfway. The first miles are flat beside the canal and the Severn, under Rodney's Pillar on the Breiddens, and the towpath puddles after rain. From Llanymynech the path climbs through the old limestone quarry and the hills to Trefonen, where Lynstead Lodge is on the path.

   Example stay Lynstead Lodge

9. Day 9

   Trefonen to Llangollen

   7–8 h 16.0 mi (25.8 km) ↑ 840 m (2,750 ft) ↓ 790 m (2,600 ft)

   Farmland, woods and old mining ground past Nantmawr and Candy Woods, with junctions that need attention. Chirk Castle is reached by a permissive path in summer. Past Chirk Mill the walk follows the canal towards the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and ends at Panorama Cottages near Llangollen.

   Example stay Panorama Cottages (opens in a new tab)

10. Day 10

    Llangollen to Clwyd Gate

    6–7 h 13.4 mi (21.5 km) ↑ 710 m (2,350 ft) ↓ 610 m (2,000 ft)

    The Eglwyseg crags rise above this stretch, with Dinas Bran on its hill above Llangollen and World's End further on. The limestone path is rough in places. Then come open moor and Llandegla Forest, and a bed on the pass at Clwyd Gate for the Clwydian ridge tomorrow.

    Example stay Clwyd Gate Manor (opens in a new tab)

11. Day 11

    Clwyd Gate to Bodfari

    6–7 h 12.4 mi (20.0 km) ↑ 750 m (2,450 ft) ↓ 1,020 m (3,350 ft)

    Moel Famau and the Clwydian hillforts: a day on heather tracks with long views west to Snowdonia. It is one of the harder days, and it comes late in the walk. In cloud the navigation is serious, so carry a map and the day's food, as there is nothing on the tops.

    Example stay Bodfari B&B, Lletty Yr Eos Ucha (opens in a new tab)

12. Day 12

    Bodfari to Prestatyn

    6–7 h 12.3 mi (19.8 km) ↑ 640 m (2,100 ft) ↓ 700 m (2,300 ft)

    Rolling lower hills to finish, through Marian Cwm with its unusual stone stiles and on to Prestatyn Hillside. The grass can be slippery going downhill. The path then drops through Prestatyn to the beach, and the station is close by for the journey home.

    Finish Offa's Dyke Path Finish

Cross-check: Offa's Dyke Path trail information on National Trails . The trail body gives about two weeks for the 177 miles (285 km). Distances on the cards are measured along the trail. A walk off the path to a bed is extra.

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