Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey along Offa's Dyke Path, a historic trail that traces the ancient boundary of King Offa’s Mercia through the picturesque borderlands of England and Wales. This self-guided walking tour offers a blend of natural beauty and rich history, with highlights including the stunning Wye Valley, historic castles and abbeys dating back to 1066, and the charming market towns of Chepstow and Knighton. Enjoy 7 nights in a mix of cozy hotels and guesthouses, with daily luggage transfers and comprehensive route notes provided. This moderate trek features some steep climbs and descents, making it perfect for seasoned walkers seeking an unforgettable adventure. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Chepstow
Location: Chepstow
Accommodation Name: Beaufort House
Make your own way to Chepstow. Located in Monmouthshire Wales, adjoining the border with Gloucestershire located on the River Wye, Chepstow is lovely to explore. If there is time, visit the ruins of Chepstow Castle, Town Gate and Wye Bridge, constructed in 1816.
Accommodation: Beaufort House your first nightstop 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. ...more ...less
Day 2 : Chepstow to Monmouth 29km/18 miles
Location: Monmouth
Accommodation Name: Riverside Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Accommodation: We stay at the 2 * Riverside Hotel. It was originally a 19th century coaching Inn.
Day 3 : Monmouth to Llangattock Lingoed 21 km/13 miles
Location: Monmouth
Accommodation Name: The Old Rectory
Meals Included: Breakfast
Climbing 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.
Accommodation: The Old Rectory is an attractive 17th century property which stands in an acre of garden, in this unspoilt rural hamlet that nestles in the Welsh border countryside.
Day 4 : Llangattock Lingoed to Longtown 15.25 km/9.5 miles
Location: Brecon Beacons National Park
Accommodation Name: The Crown Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trail continues via Pandy where you leave the lowland farms and 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.
Accommodation: The Crown Inn is family run and dates back to 1751. All rooms are ensuite.
Day 5 : Longtown to Hay on Wye 23.3 km/14.5 miles
Location: Hay on Wye
Accommodation Name: Seven Stars
Meals Included: Breakfast
Morning steep ascent to regain the Hatterrall Ridge and then over the Cats Back and up to the highest point to the path near Red Darren at 2306 feet (703m). The ridge ends at Hay Bluff, a great northerly viewpoint towards Hay and 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.
Accommodation: Tonight we stay at Seven Stars, it is centrally located and boasts an indoor swimming pool. However alternative accommodation may be used in this busy town.
Day 6 : Hay on Wye to Kington 23.3 km/14.75 miles
Location: Hay-on-Wye
Accommodation Name: The Burton Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Accommodation: Relax when you arrive at the The Burton Hotel and take advantage of the facilities including the swimming pool & spa.
Day 7 : Kington to Knighton 22 km/13.5 miles
Location: Knighton
Accommodation Name: The Red Lion
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 30 miles 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.
Accommodation: The Red Lion is a relaxed and contemporary pub.
Day 8 : Arrangements end after breakfast
Location: Knighton
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast make your way to the train station for your onward journey.
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights in a mixture of hotels and guesthouses -
7 breakfasts
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7 nights accommodation in a mixture of hotels and guesthouses on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities where available
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One piece of luggage per person transferred from Inn to Inn, not exceeding 20kg
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Digital information pack including route notes & maps
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Emergency hotline
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GPX files
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Lunch, Dinner and drinks
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Entrance fees
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Travel insurance
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Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip
What's Not Included
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Lunch, Dinner and drinks
Meals other than breakfast are not included.
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Entrance fees
Entrance fees to attractions and sites are not included.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not provided and must be arranged separately.
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Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip
Transportation to the starting point and from the end point of the trip is not included.
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Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
Personal expenses, including laundry and phone calls, are not covered.
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Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
Any unscheduled transfers during the trip are not included.
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A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
An additional charge applies for solo travelers or those booking a single room.
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Guide - this is a self guided holiday
This is a self-guided holiday, so no guide is provided.
Accommodation
7 nights in a mixture of hotels and guesthouses. Described is the normal accommodation that we use on this tour. At the time of booking please be aware that other places might be used instead, if these choices are full or closed for whatever reason. Rooms generally do not have baths. The main reason being that they take up a lot of space, some hotels/guesthouses may have a separate room in the house where a bath is available to guests, but in the main it is showers. ...more ...less
What You Carry
As the walks are fully supported you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including raincoat, lunch supplies, waterbottle, warm top, camera etc.
Grading
Moderate. Some long days and steep climbs and descents. Generally however undulating. Mixed weather can be expected. We would not recommend the route for first time walkers.
Mode of Transport
Make your own way to Chepstow. Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip is not included. Unscheduled transfers required during the trip are also not included.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will stay in a mixture of hotels and guesthouses for 7 nights. Rooms generally do not have baths, but some hotels/guesthouses may have a separate room with a bath available to guests. The accommodation may vary if the usual choices are full or closed.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 7 breakfasts. Lunch, dinner, and drinks are not included.
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Is luggage transfer provided during the tour?
Yes, one piece of luggage per person, not exceeding 20kg, will be transferred from Inn to Inn.
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What kind of support is available during the tour?
You will receive an information pack including route notes and maps, GPX files, and access to an emergency hotline. The tour is self-guided, so no guide will be provided.
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What should I carry with me during the walks?
As the walks are fully supported, you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including a raincoat, lunch supplies, water bottle, warm top, and camera.
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What is the difficulty level of the tour?
The tour is graded as moderate. It includes some long days and steep climbs and descents, although the terrain is generally undulating. Mixed weather can be expected, and it is not recommended for first-time walkers.
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What happens if I am traveling solo or want a single room?
A supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.
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What are the starting and ending points of the tour?
The tour starts in Chepstow and ends in Knighton.
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What are some of the highlights of the tour?
Highlights include walking the boundary of King Offa’s Mercia, visiting historic castles and abbeys dating from 1066, exploring the border country of England and Wales, and walking in the Wye Valley.
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Self-guided holidays - inclusions
We have designed our self guided walking and cycling tours to include a number of elements to help you enjoy your holiday more, while leaving out some things to give you more freedom to tailor the trip to your needs and interests. Refer to the Trip Notes for more information on the specific inclusions for each trip. What’s included: - Detailed Route Notes - Accommodation - Luggage transfers - Any scheduled transfers as per Trip Notes - Emergency support - Some meals (mostly breakfasts) What’s NOT included: - Transport to/from start/finish points - Most meals - Any entrance/park fees - Travel insurance - Personal expenses along the way - Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
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Trip Grading & Preparation
Match your level of fitness & requirements Please read this information carefully to find out which grade is most suited to your level of fitness and requirements. To make the most of your Walkers' Britain holiday it is essential and your responsibility to choose a trip that is well within your capabilities. All our active holidays are graded and clearly marked in each trip description. All mountains have uphill and downhill sections and by definition walking and cycling demand some effort. However all things are relative, and these grades assume that you are a reasonably active person who enjoys walking or cycling. Few trips are extreme and most allow ample time for sightseeing and enjoying the scenery. If in doubt about the grade of any holiday, please contact us for advice or request the tour dossiers, you can also chat with our team about the right travel insurance for you. Grade 1 – Introductory These trips involve walking for four to five hours per day or cycling for 15-50 km per day at a slow but steady pace. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health. Suggested Preparation 30 minutes of aerobic-type exercise (either road cycling or jogging), three times a week for three months leading up to your trip. Grade 2 – Introductory to Moderate These trips involve a combination of what is described in our Introductory and Moderate levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity but including several moderate stages. Grade 3 – Moderate These adventures involve walking for up to six hours per day or cycling for up to 65 km per day, at a steady pace. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested Preparation 45 minutes of aerobic-type exercise (road cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trip. Grade 4 – Moderate to Challenging This trip grading involves a combination of what is described in our Moderate and Challenging levels. The emphasis is on moderate activity but including several challenging stages. Grade 5 – Challenging These active holidays involve walking up to nine hours per day in mountainous terrain with steep ascents and descents, pass crossing & alpine weather conditions, or cycling for up to 80 km per day over undulating terrain, with some steep and sustained hills. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8 kg and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Suggested Preparation 1 hour of aerobic-type exercise five times a week for three to six months leading up to your trip. We also recommend regular hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling.
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Route notes
While our tours vary in terms of difficulty, route finding is made simple and convenient with our specially prepared package of maps and route notes. On many of the walks it is easy enough to navigate carefully using the route notes provided with a cursory glance at the map. As holidays reach the higher grades, you will need to take more care and we would expect you to have at least some knowledge of using a compass. Maps for our tours also vary considerably, from up-to-date GPS referenced additions, to old map copies which may still be the only ones obtainable for a particular area. The differences in style, grade and destinations of our tours are features that make them of continual interest and delight to our walkers & cyclists. Each set of route notes can contain the following elements relevant to the route: History and information on the region and the route you are walking. Detailed maps including points of interest and accommodation. Detailed step-by-step descriptions (with pictures) of the route and information on detours/optional additions. Transport timetables and information for getting there and away. Safety information and advice. Contact details of accommodation, transport, local representatives and emergency support. Advice for things to do along the way. Suggestions for dining and self catering.
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How our self-guided holidays work
Self guided walking and cycling holidays offer freedom, independence and choice, allowing you to tailor your holidays in the UK & Europe to your interest and travel style. Our detailed Route Notes will contain all of the information you need to plan how you would like to approach each day, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. As you are not limited by the constraints of group travel, you are free to shorten or lengthen your walk as the terrain permits and can even take a day off, although you may need to travel onto your next accommodation by taxi or public transport in order to do so.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Mar 30, 2025 - Apr 06, 2025Monday - Monday
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Low Deposit
Walkers' Britain requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of walkers' britain charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Offa's Dyke Path
8 Days Starting in Chepstow, Wales and ending in Knighton, Wales
Visiting: Chepstow, Monmouth, Brecon Beacons National Park, Hay on Wye, Hay-on-Wye, Knighton
Tour operator:
Tour code:
WOF
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
