15-day Offa's Dyke Path itinerary

1. Day 1

   Chepstow to Tintern

   3–4 h 7.2 mi (11.5 km) ↑ 410 m (1,350 ft) ↓ 260 m (850 ft)

   An afternoon's walk to begin. The path starts at Sedbury Cliffs, where the dyke first appears above a huge tidal range, and climbs into the woods on the escarpment above the Wye. The Devil's Pulpit looks down on Tintern Abbey. Brockweir Country Inn is right on the path.

   Example stay Brockweir Country Inn (opens in a new tab)

2. Day 2

   Tintern to Monmouth

   5–6 h 12.2 mi (19.7 km) ↑ 530 m (1,750 ft) ↓ 690 m (2,250 ft)

   Woodland high above the river again, then down to Redbrook and into Wales. The climb to the Kymin, with its naval temple and banqueting hall, gives the first wide view over Monmouth. In the town, the 13th-century Monnow Bridge is worth seeing before dinner.

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

3. Day 3

   Monmouth to Llangattock Lingoed

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

   A gentle day across farm country without the dyke. The remains of Abbey Grace Dieu, founded in 1248, are now only grassy humps near the path. White Castle, Norman and rebuilt in the 13th century, is the one building to stop for, and the Hunters Moon Inn ends the day in Llangattock Lingoed.

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

4. Day 4

   Llangattock Lingoed to Longtown

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

   A short day with one big climb, onto Hatterrall Ridge in the Brecon Beacons National Park, where the upland is protected for its wildlife. Longtown, with its 12th-century motte and bailey, is 2.1 mi (3.4 km) down the Olchon side. Arrive early and the afternoon is yours.

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

5. Day 5

   Longtown to Hay-on-Wye

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

   The climb back from Longtown is the hard part, and then the ridge is yours: open moor on the border, with Wales on one side and England on the other. There is no shelter for miles, so carry water and check the forecast. Hay-on-Wye has two Norman castle ruins and its bookshops.

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

6. Day 6 Longest

   Hay-on-Wye to Kington

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

   The longest day of the plan, on lower ground than the ridge but never flat. Field paths, grassy tracks and lanes keep rising and falling along the border. The finish crosses Hergest Ridge, in the country said to have inspired the Hound of the Baskervilles.

   Example stay Castle Hill House Bed and Breakfast Kington

7. Day 7

   Kington to Knighton

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

   Working farmland, with gates and field boundaries to watch, and the dyke beside you much of the way. Granner Wood, a Woodland Trust site, gives some shade. The climbs add up by the afternoon, and Knighton has shops and pubs for the evening. Short climbs keep coming from Rushock Hill to Hawthorn Hill.

   Example stay The Plough Hotel

8. Day 8

   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 trail body calls this the toughest section, and the constant up and down is why. Broad views open in clear weather, but there is little shelter on the hill pasture. Take everything you need from Knighton. The Shropshire Way joins at Hergan, and the last miles to Cwm are easier.

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

9. Day 9

   Cwm to Buttington

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

   An easy-going day on level paths beside the dyke, which here is still the border. Bunners, an old hardware shop in Montgomery, and the castle ruins make the short detour worthwhile. The day finishes by the Severn at Buttington. The climb to the Beacon Ring hillfort is the only real effort before the river.

   Example stay Moors Farm (opens in a new tab)

10. Day 10

    Buttington to Llanymynech

    4–5 h 10.6 mi (17.1 km) ↑ 30 m (100 ft) ↓ 20 m (50 ft)

    Towpath and riverbank all day, easy on the legs after the hills, though the towpath puddles after long rain. Watch for the waymarks where the route leaves the canal. In Llanymynech, the Hoffman Kiln heritage area is worth a short stop. The Breidden Hills and Rodney's Pillar stand above the valley all day.

    Example stay The Bradford Arms Hotel (opens in a new tab)

11. Day 11

    Llanymynech to Castle Mill

    6–7 h 14.0 mi (22.5 km) ↑ 790 m (2,600 ft) ↓ 770 m (2,550 ft)

    Varied farm country, not hard but busy with field exits and lane junctions, so keep the map out. The old mining ground at Nantmawr and the racecourse above Oswestry break up the fields, and the farm paths can be muddy after rain. Moelydd's toposcope, early in the day, is a good place to stop and look back over the border.

    Example stay Brookside Manor

12. Day 12

    Castle Mill to Llangollen

    3–4 h 8.1 mi (13.0 km) ↑ 430 m (1,400 ft) ↓ 290 m (950 ft)

    Canal towpath and field paths make easy going, and with few miles to cover there is time for detours. Chirk Castle is reached on a permissive path, open in summer only. Llangollen lies in the Dee valley below the day's end. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a World Heritage Site, is close by and worth the time.

    Example stay Panorama Cottages (opens in a new tab)

13. Day 13

    Llangollen to Clwyd Gate

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

    The trail's limestone country: rough under the Eglwyseg crags and muddy in wet weather. On the moor beyond, black grouse gather on mown patches by the path. Take it steadily, as tomorrow is the Clwydian ridge. Dinas Bran stands on its hill above Llangollen as you leave.

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

14. Day 14

    Clwyd Gate to Bodfari

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

    Heather and grass tracks along an exposed ridge, with Snowdonia to the west on a clear day and the English border to the east. Each hillfort is a climb and a drop. Carry the day's food and water, as nothing is sold on the tops. On Moel Famau stands the Jubilee Tower, built in 1810.

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

15. Day 15

    Bodfari to Prestatyn

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

    Lower hills and field paths, with the old stone stiles of Marian Cwm to climb. Take the grassy descents slowly when they are wet. The path ends in the sea at Prestatyn, the traditional finish of the walk. Prestatyn station is a short walk from the beach for the trip 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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