Walking Offa's Dyke Path, North Wales

The Offa's Dyke Path National Trail follows the Welsh/English border for 177 miles (285km) from Sedbury Cliff, near Chepstow in the south to the seafront at Prestatyn in the north. This long distance trail is way marked using the white acorn symbol and offers superb views and some steep gradients – so always be properly prepared.

Most of the trail follows the line of the great earthwork known as Offa’s Dyke. In places, it is up to 20 meters wide (including its flanking ditch) and 2.5m high. It is believed that the Dyke was built in the 8th century to form some kind of delineation between the Anglian kingdom of Mercia (now the English Midlands) and the Welsh kingdom of Powys. It is generally accepted that much of the earthwork can be attributed to Offa, King of Mercia from 757 to 796.

The Offa’s Dyke Centre in Knighton is open to walkers and other visitors throughout the year. Many people complete the trail in sections whilst some people aim to do the whole trail in one (approximately 2 weeks). This is a truly spectacular trail that gives you an insight into the fascinating and often turbulent history associated with this part of Britain.