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Walking Offa's Dyke Path

10 days

from

$2,049 USD

incl. taxes

View Dates & Prices

Walking & Trekking

Suitable for:

Age 12+

Activity level:

Leisurely / Moderate

Trip code:

W09OF

Way to Travel:

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity:

Self-Guided Walking

Group size:

1–6

Min age:

Walk the northern half of this 8th Century ancient monument including two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Clwydian Range and the Shropshire Hills.

Offa's Dyke path runs for 177 miles from the North Wales coast at Prestatyn to Chepstow on the Severn Estuary. The route, a National Trail since 1971 follows a wide border rampart, built by Offa, the King of Mercia, in the 8th century to protect his kingdom from his rivals in what is now Wales. The trail passes through eight counties. Our walk covers the Northern section of the trail from Prestatyn to Knighton and goes through two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Clwydian Range and the Shropshire Hills.
Walking southwards pass through the highest of the Clwydian Hills, Moel Famau the tallest at 554m is crowned with the remains of the Jubilee Tower and has views to Snowdonia and the Mersey estuary and Liverpool. Walk on heather clad hills and past Iron Age forts, before descending to World's End and arriving at the riverside town of Llangollen. Cross the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, after which the route then follows more closely the Welsh/English border, crossing several times on the way to Knighton.
Accommodation is in a mix of friendly guesthouses, pubs and hotels, some of which are off the main route of the Offa's Dyke Path.

Highlights

Walk the northern half of this 8th Century ancient monument
Discover limestone quarries, heather-clad ridges and Iron Age hillforts
Climb hills and descend valleys, winding back and forth across the Welsh - English border
Two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Clwydian Range and the Shropshire Hills

Key information

9 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of 3 and 4 star hotels
Breakfasts and 3 evening meals
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps
Luggage transfers between hotels

Countries visited: United Kingdom

What's included

7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of 3 and 4 hotels
All breakfasts
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps
Luggage transfers between hotels
Walking transfers
Map case

What's not included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)

Call for general departures:

1 844 227 9087

Call for private group trips:

1 844 227 9087

Live Chat >

Request a Brochure >

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Days of Walking & Trekking

Day by day breakdown

Day 2 20.0km/12.5miles

Day 3 24.0km/15.0miles

Day 4 23.0km/14.5miles

Day 5 20.0km/12.5miles

Day 6 24.0km/15.0miles

Day 7 16.0km/10.0miles

Day 8 23.0km/14.5miles

Day 9 25.0km/16.0miles

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…

On this trip in North Wales, the accommodation we use provides vital jobs to locals and uses locally sourced ingredients where possible to minimise the carbon footprint. Also the Manorhaus hotels in Ruthin and Llangollen keep single use plastics to a minimum in their hotels, plus all toiletries within the rooms are handmade locally from natural ingredients and provided in refillable containers. The West Arms pride themselves on working with very local food producers, so the meals in their excellent restaurant have a very low carbon footprint and are often organic.

Our local agent works with a carbon offset project (Forest Carbon) to create new native woodland within the UK, so all of their trips have some form of carbon offset (whilst recognising it's not a solution, they believe it's a positive step while they work on carbon reduction).

Itinerary

Expand all

Rhuallt

Knighton

Day 1

Arrive in Rhuallt

Arrive in this small village 6 miles south of the trailhead at Prestatyn.

Meals included: Dinner
Day 2

Prestatyn to Bodfari (Rhuallt)

A short transfer takes you to the trailhead to walk the first section. From Prestatyn Beach head into the Clwydian Range, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, crossing a series of stone stiles that are unique to this section of the trail. Enjoy spectacular views across to Snowdonia as you head toward Bodfari. Return transfer to Rhuallt.

Meals included: Breakfast Dinner
Day 3

Rhuallt (Bodfari) to Llanarmon-Yn-Lal

Take a short transfer back to the route at Bodfari. Discover the higher Clwydian peaks, including Moel Famau, the tallest at 554m and crowned with the remains of the Jubilee Tower. Enjoy a series of Iron and Bronze Age hillforts at Foel Fenlli, Moel Arthur and Penycloddiau. Leave the trail to arrive in Llanarmon-yn-Ial.

Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4

Llanarmon-Yn-Lal to Llangollen

Head through Llandegla Forest and over heather-clad moorland, home to the largest Black Grouse population in Wales. Pass through World's End to finally reach the dramatic limestone crags of the Eglwysegs as you near Llangollen.

Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5

Llangollen to Llwynmawr

At 38m high, Pontcysllte Aqueduct is the world's highest navigable aqueduct and has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009. Cross this feat of engineering on your way to Llwynmawr.

Meals included: Breakfast Dinner
Day 6

Llywnmawr to Llanymynech

Enjoy stunning 360 degree views from the summit of Moelydd and discover the mining area of Nantmawr, before entering the previously busy limestone quarry of Llwynmawr Quarry.

Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7

Llanymynech to Buttington

This almost flat stage follows stretches of the Montgomeryshire Canal and the River Severn. Llanymynech high street sits right on the Welsh-English border, dividing this small town between two nations!

Meals included: Breakfast
Day 8

Buttington to Pentreheyling

Another relatively flat stage, the Trail and the Dyke itself follow the true national boundary closely here. A detour to Montgomery town is well worth it if you have the time.

Meals included: Breakfast
Day 9

Pentreheyling to Knighton

Often thought of as one of the toughest sections of the Trail, what a way to end your trip. Discover the Shropshire Hills AONB and some of the best preserved sections of Offa's Dyke on Llanfair Hill.

Meals included: Breakfast
Day 10

Leave Knighton

Depart Knighton after breakfast

Meals included: Breakfast

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

c.Denbighshire County Council

shutterstock_1612129198_clwydian_hills

Essential Info

Visas

United Kingdom

UK passport holders do not need visas for this trip. Other nationalities should check with the relevant embassies.

For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers

Vaccinations

United Kingdom

No vaccinations are obligatory.

Eating and Drinking

All Breakfasts and 3 evening meals are included.

Try out traditional local country pubs for lunch or enjoy a picnic in the countryside.
Sample local cuisine such as cawl, Welsh rarebit, laverbread, Welsh cakes, bara birth and the Glamorgan sausage. These dishes are regarded as symbols of Welsh food.

Weather

Summers in Wales tend to be slightly cooler than you might expect and winters can be milder, especially on the coast, while higher, upland areas have more chance of harsher (and colder) weather conditions. The warmest months to visit are from June through to August, although temperatures start to warm up around April and remain pleasant until October time. We advise you take waterproofs as rain / showers can occur at any time of year.

Is this trip for you?

Walking Conditions

Classification: Self-Guided
Activity Level: 2 (Leisurly/Moderate)
Average daily distance: 22km (13.5miles)
No. of days walking: 8
Terrain and route: Walks on this holiday are mainly on gentle up and down tracks. There is one tough section on the final day of walking in the Shropshire Hills.
Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodation, provide you with route directions so that you can walk at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next.

Transfers will be used to get you to the start of some walks.

It is important that you are happy following route directions, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The routes directions contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local agent is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

This is a self-guided tour, as such there will be no group or tour leader and you are free to complete the walks at your own pace. We have suggested that 8yrs is the minimum age for this trip, but as it is self-guided and you will be leading your own family we will ultimately leave this decision up to you.

For those wanting to travel on their own there is a single supplement for the accommodation and where there is only one "solo" traveller on a particular departure there is also a solo traveller supplement.

Call for general departures:

1 844 227 9087

Call for private group trips:

1 844 227 9087

Live Chat >

Request a Brochure >

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Accommodation

Hotels

THE WHITE HOUSE, RHUALLT
The White House is a family-run bed and breakfast, located in Rhuallt, North Wales. The rooms are comfortable and modern.

THE RAVEN, LLANARMON-YN-LAL
The Raven Inn is situated in one of the few remaining villages in the area which still has a church, chapel, shop, school, and pub, as well as a beautifully renovated Old School Room which is used as a Community Hall. The newly refurbished rooms are comfortable and well equipped.

THE RIVERBANC, LLANGOLLEN
The Riverbanc is perfectly located in the centre of the small town of Llangollen which is steeped in myth and legend. It is also best known for hosting the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod every July. The rooms are modern and comfortable.

THE MULBERRY INN, LLWYNMAWR
The Mulberry Inn in the quiet setting of Llwynmawr village in the beautiful Ceiriog Valley. The rooms in this delightful country inn are modern and Individually furnished.

THE CROSS KEYS INN, LLANYMYNECH
The Cross Keys is a Georgian grade II listed building situated in the village of Llanymynech, which straddles the border of Shropshire, England and Powys, Wales. Independently run, a warm and friendly welcome await all guests.

MOORS FARM, BUTTINGTON
Traditional Farm House Accommodation once the principal farm house of Powis Castle. Now privately owned but still farming. It has a lot of character, including exposed beams and log-burning fires and provide spacious accommodation.

OAKLEY B&B, PENTREHEYLING
Oakley is a modern property providing high quality bed and breakfast accommodation set in a beautiful rural location with stunning views over the hills and mountains of the Welsh Marches.
The Bed and breakfast is situated on the border of England and Wales four miles from the picturesque market towns of Bishops Castle and Montgomery. Both towns have a choice of tea rooms, restaurants and pubs, with their own microbreweries.

THE RED LION INN, KNIGHTON
A relaxed and contemporary B&B set among the rolling hills of the Welsh Marches. There are four spacious rooms that provide a comfortable base from which to explore the delights of Knighton and the Marches. Named after the Princes of Powys and Wales the individually decorated, ensuite rooms combine a traditional atmosphere with contemporary comfort in which to unwind.

Call for general departures:

1 844 227 9087

Call for private group trips:

1 844 227 9087

Live Chat >

Request a Brochure >

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes