16-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 easy afternoon to settle into the walk. From Chepstow station it is about two miles out to Sedbury Cliffs on the Severn estuary before the trail even starts. The woods above the Wye are enclosed and quiet, and Brockweir, across the river from Tintern, has its inn beside 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)

   A middling day that crosses into Wales at Redbrook. The woods give way to the open top of the Kymin, where a naval temple and banqueting hall look over Monmouth. It is a modest distance, so there is time to explore the town before dinner. The Kymin is a short, steep pull, the only real climb of the day.

   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 long, quiet day across farmland, the longest before the hills. The dyke does not appear, and the views ahead are of the Skirrid, the Holy Mountain, and the Black Mountains you climb tomorrow. Field paths can be wet and churned after rain, so allow time. Llangattock Lingoed's church is worth a minute before the inn.

   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)

   Onto Hatterrall Ridge after Pandy, a steady climb to the border at the top of the Black Mountains. Views open over the Vale of Ewyas and the Skirrid. The night is the Crown Inn at Longtown, a 2.1 mi (3.4 km) walk down to the east, so tomorrow begins uphill.

   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 to the ridge is the hard part. After that the path is firm and gentle along the top, with the trig points ticking past. In clear weather the views reach for miles; in cloud, keep the map handy. Hay Bluff marks the end of the ridge, and Hay-on-Wye is below.

   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, after two days on the mountain. The climbs are small but many, and the gates get muddy when wet. Hergest Ridge, above 400 m, ends the day with a view to the Shropshire hills. Newchurch's church, always open to walkers, offers tea for a donation halfway.

   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)

   Up past the golf course on Bradnor Hill, which the trail body calls the highest in England, and onto the dyke. Hawthorn Hill is the last big climb before the long descent into Knighton. The Offa's Dyke Centre there tells the story of the bank you have been following.

   Example stay The Plough Hotel

8. Day 8

   Knighton to Newcastle-on-Clun

   4–5 h 7.9 mi (12.7 km) ↑ 540 m (1,750 ft) ↓ 510 m (1,650 ft)

   Half of the switchbacks, steep and grassy over the Shropshire Hills, but only about 8 miles of them. Llanfair Hill has long stretches of well-preserved dyke, and the trail's midpoint marker is on the way. Offa's Pitch, the night's bed, is a short walk from the path near Newcastle.

   Example stay Offa's Pitch Glamping (opens in a new tab)

9. Day 9

   Newcastle-on-Clun to Cwm

   3–4 h 6.2 mi (9.9 km) ↑ 600 m (1,950 ft) ↓ 630 m (2,050 ft)

   The second half of the switchbacks, a short morning of steep climbs on grass. With few miles to go, there is time to rest at the top of each one. After the Kerry Ridgeway the walking is level or downhill to Cwm, and the afternoon is free. Wild Edric's Way and the Jack Mytton Way cross the path on these hills.

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

10. Day 10

    Cwm to Buttington

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

    Fairly flat along the border with the dyke right beside you, and a short detour to Montgomery for lunch. The one climb is to the Beacon Ring hillfort, then down to the Severn. Moors Farm is about a kilometre from the river at Buttington. Many stretches run on the true border, so you can walk with one foot in each country.

    Example stay Moors Farm (opens in a new tab)

11. Day 11

    Buttington to Llanymynech

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

    A flat, quiet day under Rodney's Pillar on the Breidden Hills, with the canal and the river for company. Beds in Llanymynech are limited, so book ahead; the Bradford Arms Hotel is close to the path. Llanymynech's main street is itself the border, England on one side and Wales on the other.

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

12. Day 12

    Llanymynech to Castle Mill

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

    A climb to start, then a long run of fields. The farm paths are easy on the legs but hard on the attention, with junctions at nearly every hedge. Brookside Manor at Bronygarth, close to Castle Mill, is the night. The disused quarry on Llanymynech Hill is now a nature reserve, and Moelydd's toposcope looks out all round.

    Example stay Brookside Manor

13. Day 13

    Castle Mill to Llangollen

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

    A morning to linger. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is the longest and highest in Britain, in the trail body's words, and Trevor is close by. Take the afternoon slowly before the hills that follow. Chirk Castle is reached on a permissive path in summer, and the canal towpath makes easy going.

    Example stay Panorama Cottages (opens in a new tab)

14. Day 14

    Llangollen to Clwyd Gate

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

    Past Dinas Bran and World's End, the scenery turns from limestone crag to open moor and forest. It is a long, varied day with rough ground in places, so take it steadily. Llandegla Forest is the last stretch before the pass at Clwyd Gate. Under the crags the limestone can be muddy after rain.

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

15. Day 15

    Clwyd Gate to Bodfari

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

    The last big hill day. The ridge is open to every wind, and in mist the route is easy to lose, so do not rely on waymarks alone. Bodfari has few beds, so the booking matters. The Jubilee Tower on Moel Famau, built in 1810, is the landmark to aim for, and the hillforts on Moel Arthur and Penycloddiau are far older.

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

16. Day 16

    Bodfari to Prestatyn

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

    Not quite the easy finish it looks: the hills are smaller but keep coming, and Rhuallt has little to rely on, so carry lunch from Bodfari. The offshore wind farm comes into view from Prestatyn Hillside. The last steps are on the sand, and the walk ends with a paddle.

    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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