Back in January of this year I walked my final section of the Offa's Dyke Path, which I had been walking in sections since January 2012, and this post is an index to all my blog posts on the subject. As on previous long distance paths, I adopted a section walking approach using a combination a trains, buses and occasionally taxis to allow me to walk 2, 3 or 4 days of the path at a time. I also deviated from the route in various places, either to climb extra hills, take a short-cut or to reach transport home; therefore these are reflected in the distance and ascent figures below.
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| Moel Arthur from the south |
The first section I walked was from Prestatyn on the North Wales coast to the village of Llandegla over two days, including a lovely traverse of the Clwydian Range in January 2012. Here are my posts on each day:
- Day 1: Prestatyn to Bodfari - 21km, 680m ascent
- Day 2: Bodfari to Llandegla - 28km, 1280m ascent
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| One of the first sections of the Offa's Dyke that I encountered |
Then in early March 2012, I walked my second section of the trail from from Llandegla to Welshpool over three days, which included my first section of the Offa's Dyke itself. Here are my daily posts:
- Day 3: Llandegla to Trevor - 21.5km, 750m ascent
- Day 4: Trevor to Llanymynech - 30.5km, 980m ascent
- Day 5: Llanymynech to Welshpool - 20km, negligible ascent
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| Beacon Ring hill fort from the SW |
Next it was a two day section from Welshpool to Knighton, including Beacon Ring and The Switchbacks, in early March 2013:
- Day 6: Welshpool to Mellington Hall Campsite - 24km, 670m ascent
- Day 7: Mellington Hall Campsite to Knighton - 24.5km, 1250m ascent
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| Hatterrall Hill |
Easter 2013 saw me walk in the snow from Knighton to Pandy, via Kington, Hergest Ridge and the Black Mountains, and then on over Ysgyryd Fawr to Abergavenny station:
- Day 8: Knighton to Kington - 22km, 730m ascent
- Day 9: Kington to Hay-on-Wye - 24.5km, 900m ascent
- Day 10: Hay-on-Wye to Pandy - 27km, 800m ascent
- Day 10a: Pandy to Abergavenny - 12km, 410m ascent
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| Chepstow Castle |
Finally this January I returned to Abergavenny and walked from near Pandy to Sudbury Cliffs over two and a half days. This was a mainly stormy weekend, but it was bright and sunny when I finished the path at Sedbury Cliffs. Here are my posts on the three days:
- Day 11: Near Pandy to Monmouth - 26km, 460m ascent
- Day 12: Monmouth to Chepstow - 28.5km, 1120m ascent
- Day 13: Chepstow to Sedbury Cliffs - 6.5km, 150m ascent
The Offa's Dyke Path was the second National Trail that I've walked (the first was the Pennine Way) and I found it to be an enjoyable long distance path to walk with plenty of variety.
Excellent, Alistair - a useful resource and a striking variety of images.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Martin :-)
DeleteI was due to walk it last year but had to defer due to rugby injury, this has whetted my appetite once more. Just out of curiosity, is the section hike approach one chosen because of time constraint or a decision made for other reasons? What do you feel are the pros and cons as opposed to a straight through route?
ReplyDeleteI chose the section hike approach for the Offa's Dyke Path primarily due to time constraints. I'd like to have walked it all in one go, but I couldn't spare the annual leave given that I'll be spending two weeks walking on the TGO Challenge this coming May.
DeleteSo given it is reasonably easy to access the route every few days by train from Stockport I opted to walk it in sections, sort of as a way to do more long distance walking.
How are you thinking of walking it?
My preference would be straight through, but the year is already looking pretty full, so we'll have to see. Enjoyed your log though!
DeleteThanks :-) Hope you have a good time walking it.
Delete