Offa’s Dyke Path South Trail

Make your own way to Helensburgh. Train links to Glasgow. Located in Monmouthshire Wales, adjoining the border with Gloucestershire located on the River Wye, Chepstow is lovely to explore.

Accommodation: Beaufort House your first night stop was a 16th century coaching Inn. The rooms are ensuite and there is an award-winning restaurant offering Welsh menus. Bar meals are also available.

This morning, the route starts from the mud flats of the River Severn at Sedbury. The trail then climbs quite steeply in places up to follow the sheer valley side of the River Wye with some fantastic viewpoints. As you head towards the Tintern Abbey meander, you will notice that you are actually walking on the Offa' s Dyke. You can really marvel at the meandering river, the cliffs and the little settlements. Descend to Redbrook, a 19th century industrial village, or up and over the hills again to the famous border town of Monmouth.

From Redbrook, climb up to “naval temple” for one of the best views of the entire route. Head down to Monmouth for a mid-morning refreshment, crossing the 13th century gatehouse bridge. Next climb through boggy King’s Wood and then cross the Trothy River. The countryside becomes quite domesticated. The views to the north are dominated by the shapes of Skirrid and Sugfarloaf Hills. Stop in at Llantillo Crosseny village with its fine 13th century church. The village pub has features dating from the 15th century. The next stop is White Castle a 12th century Norman Castle built to protect the route from Monmouth into Wales. It is in a picturebook setting with intact walls and a little moat. Descending from the castle, bypass the village of Llanvetherine and undulate the last couple of miles along to Llangattock Lingoed.

The trail continues via Pandy where you leave the lowland farms & rivers and climb up onto the Hatterrall Ridge and into the Black Mountains. The ridge in the main follows the border of England and Wales and the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Spectacular views all around.

In the morning a steep ascent to regain the Hatterrall Ridge and then over the Cat’s Back and up to the highest point to the path near Red Darren at 703m. The ridge ends at Hay Bluff: a great northerly viewpoint towards Hay & the Wye Valley, the Hills of Radnorshire, and also the Black Mountains to the west and parts of the Brecon Beacons. Next drop off the ridge and stroll via a set of five kissing gates into Hay on Wye, the capital of the second-hand book trade. The town with its 12th century Keep was the site of the Anglo – Welsh power struggles in the 13th century.

Falkirk is famous for two battles, the one where Sir William Wallace was defeated in 1298 and the one in 1746 when Bonny Prince Charlie‘s forces were victorious over the government troops, but for the Jacobites it was a pyrrhic victory.

Crossing the River Wye, today’s walk rises into the Radnorshire Hills. The walking undulates past sites of Roman encampments until you reach Glades try for a lunchtime pub break. For the last few miles today you have to climb up and walk along the Hergest Ridge amongst thyme, gorse and Welsh ponies. Eventually drop down to Kington, actually situated in Herefordshire with its 13th century church and the parallel lanes and long back gardens that may preserve the pattern of the strips in the former open field system.

Some say this is the finest walk of the whole path, with Offa’s Dyke as your constant companion. First pass the highest golf course in England on Bradnor Hill. The trail then undulates spectacularly, but is never too steep. Beautiful westward panoramas open up across the Radnor Valley. On a clear day you get views almost 50km in each direction, over both the Brecon Beacons and The Malverns. The route climbs over a hill called Ffridd, before descending very steeply to Knighton (town of the horsemen) or Tref y Clawdd in Welsh (Town on the Dyke) as the town is on The Shropshire / Powys border. It is a very busy little market town. The market place has mainly 17th century shops and enough general entertainment to keep you amused for an evening.

Arrangements end after breakfast.