Offa's Dyke Path - Index of Posts

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

Offa's Dyke Path - Day 4: Trevor to Llanymynech

Distance: 30.5km; Ascent: 980m; Solo

See route in new window

Today didn't get off to a good start as I woke up coughing at 5am, thus confirming my fears from yesterday: I was coming down with a cold :(  The weather first thing did nothing to help as it was drizzling with cloud on the hills.  However once I started walking at 8:15, I started to feel a bit better, although I was slightly apprehensive about the distance I had to cover today.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

I wandered across the fields, initially bizarrely on a tarmac path, and then along the canal towpath to reach the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the world heritage site I eluded to yesterday.  The aqueduct was indeed impressive and I was conscious of the long drop down to the River Dee below as I crossed to the far side.  I continued to follow the towpath and stopped for a break after around another kilometre on a conveniently located bench.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Whilst I was resting the cloud began to clear and soon the sun was out :)  My route continued alongside the canal before I double backed on myself to climb up through the fields to cross the A5.  It was pleasantly sunny as I walked through the rolling fields full of sheep to reach the edge of the Chirk Castle estate.  Unfortunately access to the estate from this side is only possible between April and September, so I had to take the slightly longer route to reach Castle Mill at around 11am.

Blue sky, sunshine and rolling wooded hills

At Castle Mill I stopped for a 20 minute break in the sunshine whilst reading the information boards about the Battle of Crogen in 1165.  Soon after crossing the River Ceiriog there was a sign welcoming me to Shropshire; I was now in England for the first time on the Offa's Dyke path.  I ascended steeply up the hillside, initially alongside the dyke, but soon I was walking on the very top of it.  Around now the first of several showers started and I re-donned my waterproofs for half an hour or so.  After the shower had cleared there was a spectacular rainbow across the valley.

Rainbow over the Ceiriog valley

One of the first sections of the Offa's Dyke that I encountered

After a further shower, I descended to Craignant and began the sunny ascent of Selattyn Hill.  The rain returned as I followed the dyke through the woods to reach Carreg-y-big.  From here I followed the road to reach Racecourse Common, where I stopped for a late lunch by the ruins of the grandstand in the sunshine.  After lunch, I began to descend through the dark Racecourse Wood, which soon opened out into less dense woodland.

Offa's Dyke near Craignant

The ruined grandstand at Racecourse Common

At Trefonen I had a break on the village green and studied the map.  It was getting late and I still had a reasonable way to go.  For some reason the official route makes a big loop out to the west and I realised that I could probably save at least half an hour by just walking south along the road to Porth-y-waen, which actually meant I stayed closer to the dyke than the official route.

At Porth-y-waen I rejoined the official route and soon began the steep ascent through the woods to Llanymynech Hill (HuMP).  As I was here earlier than expected I decided to try to visit the true summit of the hill.  I reckon I got within a few metres of it, but then had to turn back due to impenetrable brambles, hawthorn and gorse.  Therefore I settled for the trig point instead before following the path beneath the impressive crags in the fading light.

Summit of Llanymynech Hill!

Trig point on Llanymynech Hill

At some point I must have missed a waymark as I emerged onto the A483 a few hundred metres further north than expected.  I reached my B&B on the Welsh side of the border village of Llanymynech at 6:30pm.  This evening I crossed the border into England, i.e. crossed the road, for dinner and a pint of Black Sheep in one of the local pubs.

Photo of rainbow over the Ceiriog valley, uploaded from my phone on the walk

Offa's Dyke Path - Day 3: Llandegla to Trevor

Distance: 21.5km; Ascent: 750m; Solo

See route in new window

I write this whilst supping a pint of Telford Tipple, a pleasant dark ale, on a world heritage site of which there'll be more about tomorrow...

After dropping Isabel off at nursery, I headed to the station to begin my convoluted journey to Llandegla via Shrewsbury and Wrexham.  As it was the middle of the day this time I was able to catch the bus to Llandegla rather than having to fork out for a pricey taxi!

I set off walking from the Offa's Dyke signpost in Llandegla shortly after midday, where it was pleasantly warm and there was barely a cloud in the sky.  After crossing a couple of main roads, I headed across a few fields to reach a minor road at Hafod Bilston.  Here I left the Offa's Dyke path to start my longest variation in the route so far because I wanted to bag Cyrn-y-Brain.

View across to Moel Garegog from Offa's Dyke Path

I followed the gated minor road SSW for around a km before branching off left on a public footpath onto the access land.  After a few hundred metres it became clear that the good track I was following wasn't actually concurrent with the right of way and was instead looping back on itself towards Llandegla forest.  Rather than trying to follow the right of way, I opted for a direct line to the summit given I could clearly see one of the masts.  However this was a mistake!

Path leading back towards Llandegla Forest

The energy sapping deep heather seemed to go on forever and was easily as bad as the worst of the Berwyn heather!  Eventually the angle of the slope began to ease and I was soon on the summit of Cyrn-y-Brain (Marilyn, Dewey), which was marked with a wind shelter cairn and surrounded by an array of communications masts.

Summit of Cyrn-y-Brain

After a late lunch on the windy summit, I headed NE along the track past the last of the masts to reach the trig point and the grandly named Sir Watkin's Tower, which appeared to be nothing more than a cairn on top of a grassy knoll!  I followed a reasonable path NE alongside the fence, before crossing it at a stile to reach a well cycled forest track, which I followed to rejoin the Offa's Dyke path.

Sir Watkin's Tower and Trig Point

Railway sleeper path across the moorland

 I headed SE across the moorland, on a path that was predominately made from railway sleepers to reach the minor road just before 3pm.  After following the road south for around a km, I entered the woodland of the World's End Estate and was greeted by a sign informing me that CCTV was in use; I wondered if the trees had all been fitted with cameras!  After descending quite a steep road and crossing a ford, I stopped for a quick break on a handy bench near the bottom of World's End crag.

Are there cameras in the trees then?

The next few kilometres are probably my favourite bit of the path so far!  I traversed several scree slopes below towering limestone crags, which were quite a contrast to the moorland from only an hour ago.  The views were excellent and the sun covered crags looked very inviting; I shall have to come back some other day!

World's End crag

Craig Arthur

Traversing the Eglwyseg screes

I rejoined the road, which I followed for several km, past Dinas Bran castle to reach the Panorama Walk.  The views across the Dee valley and up to the crags were excellent from here.  Eventually I left the road and descended through the pleasant Trevor Hall Wood to reach my B&B on Trevor at 6pm after a good afternoon's walk.

Photo of Craig Arthur uploaded from my phone on the walk

Offa's Dyke Path - Days 3 to 5 - Plans

See route in new window with live progress
(Backup link without live progress)

At around midday today I will be setting off to walk a further section of the Offa's Dyke Path from Llandegla to Welshpool, where I plan to arrive around lunchtime on Sunday.  Assuming everything goes to plan, you can follow my progress using the link above.