Background

Offa's Dyke is a superb National Trail that threads its way along the English / Welsh border from Chepstow in the south to Prestatyn in the north. The terrain it crosses is rarely flat, and this makes for a strenuous walk, but one that gives great highs and lows as it frequently crosses the border between the two countries.

The trail is named after the Saxon King Offa, who ruled the Kingdom of Mercia from 757 to 796. The exact purpose of the dyke is unknown, but it is believed to possibly be a defensive barrier to protect Mercia's western reaches from the Welsh tribes. The exact extant of the dyke is also unknown, and although the trail follows it for long distances there are other areas, particularly in the north and south of Kington, where it will not be seen.

Although it is a fairly strenuous walk it is rarely remote, and there are few if any technical sections when compared to, for instance, the Pennine Way. The scenery is nearly always good, and accommodation is available over almost all of the route.

P20074020021 Heading north past Hatterrall Hill.		P20074050381 The steep climb up north from Churchtown.