13-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)

   From Sedbury Cliffs on the Severn estuary, past Chepstow Castle, into the woods along the Wye. The escarpment path is high and enclosed, muddy in a wet spell, with long views only where the trees open. You cross into Wales at Redbrook, then climb the Kymin and its naval temple above Monmouth.

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

2. Day 2

   Monmouth to Llangattock Lingoed

   6–7 h 13.8 mi (22.3 km) ↑ 500 m (1,650 ft) ↓ 360 m (1,200 ft)

   Gentle farm country, orchards and sheep, with the Skirrid ahead and the Black Mountains behind it. The churches at Llanfihangel Ystum Llywern and Llantilio Crossenny are worth a minute, and White Castle is the big landmark. The night is at the Hunters Moon Inn, on the path at Llangattock Lingoed.

   Example stay The Hunters Moon Inn (opens in a new tab)

3. Day 3

   Llangattock Lingoed to Longtown

   3–4 h 7.4 mi (12.0 km) ↑ 590 m (1,950 ft) ↓ 200 m (650 ft)

   The first half of Hatterrall Ridge, a steady climb past Pandy onto open upland in the Brecon Beacons National Park. The ridge is the border, with the Vale of Ewyas on one side and the Olchon Valley on the other. Longtown is a 2.1 mi (3.4 km) walk down to the Crown Inn, so book the bed early.

   Example stay The Crown Inn (opens in a new tab)

4. Day 4

   Longtown to Hay-on-Wye

   4–5 h 11.0 mi (17.6 km) ↑ 190 m (600 ft) ↓ 630 m (2,050 ft)

   Back up the hill from Longtown, then the rest of the ridge north to Hay Bluff. The path is clear, but in mist the ridge has few landmarks, and there is no shelter and no food. The descent from Hay Bluff ends among Hay-on-Wye's bookshops. Hay-on-Wye fills up in its festival week, in late May and early June, so book well ahead if you walk then.

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

5. Day 5

   Hay-on-Wye to Kington

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

   Field paths and lanes, muddy at the gateways after rain, wind through the farms along the border. Gladestry's Royal Oak is the one stop, so check it is open before relying on it. The last climb, over Hergest Ridge, opens views all round before the drop into Kington, which has pubs and shops to refill.

   Example stay Castle Hill House Bed and Breakfast Kington

6. Day 6

   Kington to Knighton

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

   The first long day with the dyke at your side, a bank and ditch the path follows from Rushock Hill. The climbs are short and frequent, and you pass the site of the Battle of Pilleth on the way. Knighton is almost halfway, a good moment to take stock before the switchbacks.

   Example stay The Plough Hotel

7. Day 7

   Knighton to Cwm

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

   Harder than its 14 miles suggest: the switchbacks rise and drop over the Shropshire Hills on steep grass that turns slippery in rain. There are very few villages, so carry everything you need. The Jack Mytton Way and Wild Edric's Way cross the path, and after the Kerry Ridgeway it eases down to Cwm.

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

8. Day 8

   Cwm to Buttington

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

   A recovery day on gentler ground, close beside the dyke and often on the border itself, so you can stand with a foot in each country. Montgomery's ruined castle is worth the short detour. Rest your legs where you can, because the next day, to Trefonen, is long.

   Example stay Moors Farm (opens in a new tab)

9. Day 9

   Buttington to Trefonen

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

   Long, and two halves. The morning is level towpath beside the Montgomeryshire Canal and the Severn, which can flood after heavy rain. After Llanymynech the path climbs to the old quarry on Llanymynech Hill and the toposcope on Moelydd. Lynstead Lodge is right on the path at Trefonen.

   Example stay Lynstead Lodge

10. Day 10

    Trefonen to Llangollen

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

    A long day with a lot of map work. The farmland past Candy Woods and the old racecourse above Oswestry is full of field exits and junctions. After Chirk Mill the walking changes to canal-side, and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a reason to stop before Llangollen.

    Example stay Panorama Cottages (opens in a new tab)

11. Day 11

    Llangollen to Clwyd Gate

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

    Under the white limestone of the Eglwyseg crags, with Dinas Bran's ruins on their hill, the path is rough in places. Then come open moor and Llandegla Forest, black grouse country. Tonight's bed is on the pass at Clwyd Gate, a few minutes off the path, with the Clwydian ridge waiting.

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

12. Day 12

    Clwyd Gate to Bodfari

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

    Up onto the Clwydian Range for a day of heather and grass on the ridge, past three hillforts and the Jubilee Tower, built in 1810 on Moel Famau. On a clear day you see Snowdonia one way and England the other. In low cloud it becomes slow, careful walking.

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

13. Day 13

    Bodfari to Prestatyn

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

    The last day crosses smaller hills, with the stone stiles at Marian Cwm and the wind farm out at sea ahead. Take care on the grassy descents after rain. The path ends on Prestatyn's beach, where walkers walk into the sea, and the station is a short walk away.

    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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