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Offa's Dyke Path

177.1 miles (285 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This incredible 177 mile trail starts on the River Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire in England before taking you over the border into Wales and on through some truly splendid mountainous scenery. Highlights on the route include the gorgeous Wye Valley AONB, crossing from England into Wales along the splendid Hergest Ridge and the awe inspiring Brecon Beacons National Park. You'll also pass the popular Moel Famau and Moel Arthur in the stunning Clwydian Range.
For more information on this trail please visit the National Trail web site

Offa's Dyke Path OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Offa's Dyke Path Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

On the route you will pass the pretty village of Bodfari near Moel Arthur in the Clwydian Hills. In the village you will find The Dinorben Arms, a traditional pub steeped in history. It has an attractive interior, a great menu and good selection of drinks. There's also a fabulous outdoor terrace where you can relax outside and soak in the views of the surrounding hills and countryside. You can find the pub at postcode LL16 4DA for your sat navs.
It's worth exploring the pretty village too where you can visit the Church of St Stephen, which lies at the heart of the settlement, and has its origins in medieval times, dating back to at least the eleventh century.
In Powys based Knighton there's the noteworthy Horse and Jockey to consider. The traditional 14th century coaching inn includes a cosy interior with original beams and open fires. There's a nice garden area for warmer weather and a fine restaurant which serves good quality dishes. You can find them at Wylcwm Place, Station Rd, LD7 1AE.
You could also head to the Knighton Hotel for high quality accommodation. You can find them at Broad Street with postcode LD7 1BL for your sat navs.
Just to the west you'll find the Ponderosa Cafe on the Horseshoe Pass. The large cafe serves a good range of meals and snacks. There's a splendid outdoor seating area with excellent views over the surrounding hills. At 1,400 ft above sea level you can see the Clwydian Mountain range and on a very clear day the three peaks of Snowdon. There's also Bed & Breakfast Accommodation and a large car park here.
Just to the west of the scenic World's End in Llangollen you'll find the Ponderosa Cafe on the 'Horseshoe Pass'. The large cafe serves a good range of meals and snacks. There's a splendid outdoor seating area with excellent views over the surrounding hills. At 1,400 ft above sea level you can see the Clwydian Mountain range and on a very clear day the three peaks of Snowdon. There's also Bed & Breakfast Accommodation, a gift shop and a large car park at the extensive complex. Postcode is LL20 8DR.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

In the Black Mountains near Hay Bluff you could take a small detour from the route to pick up the circular Cat's Back Walk. The wonderful knife edge ridge walk is a popular local climb and considered to be Herefordshire's own Striding Edge. The route provides great views into England on one side, and Wales on the other. There's a handy car park just south of the ridge or you could start from the pretty little village of Michaelchurch Escley where there's a nice riverside pub to visit.

Photos

Offa's Dyke Path - geograph.org.uk - 392604

A barren, stony area, where the cairns mark the Offa's Dyke Path and the England-Wales border, along a wide ridge between the Olchon Valley and Vale of Ewyas.

Offa's Dyke Path marker stone

Marker stone at Chepstow

Offa's Dyke Path - geograph.org.uk - 205226

Looking south down a broad section of the Offa's Dyke path. Here the path passes around the western side of Moel Gyw.

Offa's Dyke Path. - geograph.org.uk - 760299

The path where it crosses the old road between Cilcain and Llangynhafal. It is 1 and a half miles to Moel Famau from here.

Offa's Dyke path - geograph.org.uk - 1465159

Heading up Moel Fammau

Offa's Dyke Path - geograph.org.uk - 205230

The path crosses the field - you can see it as a darker green in the field ahead. When it reaches the trees, it bears right around the western side of Moel Gyw.

Penycloddiau - geograph.org.uk - 43229

Penycloddiau. View north on Offa's Dyke Path from Penycloddiau fort on the Clwydian Hills.

Moelydd - geograph.org.uk - 343018

Moelydd. View to the south from the summit of Moelydd. The path crosses this hill which provides good views all round. This is a view to the south across the Severn basin.

Video

Route Highlights

Sedbury

The trail starts on the River Severn Estuary near the village of Sedbury in the Forest of Dean district of west Gloucestershire, England. It sits on the eastern bank of the River Wye, facing the Welsh town of Chepstow.

Vyrnwy Bridge

The trail crosses the River Vyrnwy over an aqueduct with the Vyrnwy Bridge just to the west.

Chepstow and the River Wye

The trail begins following the River Wye past the Welsh town of Chepstow

Tintern Abbey

Founded in 1131 this historic abbey is situated on the Welsh bank of the River Wye in Monmouthshire, Wales.

Bigsweir, Wye Valley

Located in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the scenery on this section is truly breathtaking.

Monmouth

Situated where the River Monnow meets the River Wye, Monmouth is the traditional county town of the county of Monmouthshire. Highlights are the 11th century castle and 14th century medieval Monnow bridge.

White Castle

12th century medieval castle situated right on the trail.

Black Mountains

This range of hills provide a splendid backdrop on the trail as you pass through the spectacular Brecon Beacons National Park

Llanthony Priory

Dating back to around the year 1100 this ruined Augustinian priory is situated in the Black Mountains area of the Brecon Beacons National Park

Twmpa or Lord Hereford's Knob

This striking mountain stands at 2260ft and is part of the Black Mountains range in the Brecon Beacons National Park

Hay on Wye

This small town lies on the east bank of the River Wye and is within the Brecon Beacons National Park. There are 2 Norman castles which are a must see on this section of the trail

Knighton

This small market town lies on the River Teme (right) and straddles the English-Welsh border.

Trevor

The trail runs through the village of Trevor which lies on the Llangollen Canal at the northern end of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Eglwyseg Valley

With an incredible landscape and dramatic rock formations this section of the trail is truly stunning

World's End Llangollen

The atmosphere and scenery through this narrow vale in the Eglwyseg Valley is something special. It is enclosed by the cliffs of Craig y Forwyn, Craig y Cythraul, and Craig yr Adar. The nearby Llandegla Forest is a great place for walking and mountain biking.

Moel Famau

This mountain and country park stands at 1,818 ft. From the summit, it is possible to see the Isle of Man, and much of the North West of England such as Liverpool, Manchester and Blackpool Tower. The Jubilee Tower on the peak of Moel Famau was built to commemorate the golden jubilee of George III in 1810.

Dyserth

Near the end of the route you can try the circular Dyserth Waterfall Walk and visit the splendid 70ft falls in this pretty village. There's also caves, woodland trails, a 16th century church and some nice tea rooms to see in this historic and scenic area. Just north of the village there's the climb to Graig Fawr where you can enjoy some wonderful views to the coast.

Prestatyn

The seaside resort of Prestatyn, on the Irish Sea, marks the end of the trail.

GPS Files

GPX File

Offas Dyke Path.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)