Trace the ancient boundary of Offa's Dyke Path, a 283km (177 mile) National Trail along Britain's longest ancient monument — the 8th-century earthwork separating England and Wales. The trail unfolds through diverse border landscapes, from the dramatic Wye Gorge and Tintern Abbey near Chepstow, across the remote Black Mountains and Hergest Ridge, to the industrial heritage of the Clwydian Range and the seaside finish at Prestatyn.

This comprehensive guidebook describes the Offa's Dyke Path from south to north and offers walkers of all abilities the chance to explore limestone gorges, mountain ridges, and borderland heritage over 12–14 days. A separate OS 1:25,000 trail map is included, providing precise route-line mapping and ensuring you can follow Offa's ancient frontier with total confidence.

• The trail is divided into 12 clearly defined stages of 17–29km (11–18 miles), each with detailed route descriptions, OS mapping, and elevation profiles, allowing you to anticipate the terrain
• Alternative itineraries of 8 or 16 days help you tailor the Offa's Dyke Path to your perfect walking holiday
• Practical planning information for accommodation along the route, from country inns and B&Bs to hostels and campsites in key centres like Monmouth, Hay-on-Wye and Knighton, is provided, as well as advice on local transport links
• Downloadable GPX files provide a digital navigation option, allowing you to follow the National Trail on a smartphone or GPS device
• Beyond wayfinding, the guide celebrates the path's unique story, with insights into its geology (limestone escarpments, igneous intrusions), wildlife, historical attractions, and the cultural significance of walking where Anglo-Saxon Mercia met ancient Welsh kingdoms

With expert guidance from author Mike Dunn, stage-by-stage breakdowns, and the included OS trail map, this walking guidebook equips you with everything you need to conquer Offa’s Dyke Path with ease. Discover the timeless allure of Britain's borderlands, where every ridge reveals panoramic views, ancient history, and the quiet satisfaction of completing one of the National Trails. 

Offa’s Dyke Path

Location: English‑Welsh border, UK (Sedbury near Chepstow to Prestatyn) 
Distance: ~285 km / ~177 miles 
Typical duration: ~1–2 weeks (flexible itineraries) 
Start: Sedbury Cliffs (near Chepstow) 
End: Prestatyn Seafront 
Route format: Linear long‑distance National Trail walk 
Stages: 12 main stages (~17–29 km / 11–18 miles each) 
Difficulty: Moderate – varied terrain, suitable for most walkers with planning 
Best season: All seasons (respect high ground in winter and mist)

Author Highlight

“The long-distance path named after Offa's Dyke is just as outstanding as the Dyke itself. A magnificent, long but not too difficult walk through the wonderfully diverse and at times remarkably remote countryside of the Welsh Marches, in its middle reaches it follows the Saxon earthwork unswervingly for many miles, Dyke and path together forming an intrinsic feature of the border landscape.”

- Mike Dunn, author of Offa's Dyke Path 

Map key 
Overview map 
Route summary table 
Route profile 
Stage facilities planner 
INTRODUCTION 
From the Severn to the Irish Sea 
Planning your trip 
Selecting a schedule 
When to go 
Travel to the Path 
Transport along the Path 
First and last nights 
Accommodation 
Facilities 
Baggage transfer 
What to take 
Planning day by day 
Using this guide 
Maps  
Waymarking 
Weather forecasts 
Phones and wi-fi 
Emergencies 
All about the Welsh Marches 
Geology and landscape 
Plants and wildlife 
Border prehistory 
Offa and the Dyke 
The Welsh Marches after Offa 
Offa’s Dyke Path 
Stage 1 Above the Lower Wye Gorge​​​​​​​ 
Stage 2 Sheep and cider in remote Monmouthshire​​​​​​​ 
Stage 3 Crossing the Black Mountains 
Stage 4 Gladestry and Hergest Ridge 
Stage 5 The Radnorshire Hills 
Stage 6 Ups and downs in deepest Shropshire​​​​​​​ 
Stage 7 The Vale of Montgomery and Long Mountain 
Stage 8 Across the Severn valley 
Stage 9 Exploring the unknown Marches 
Stage 10 The Vale of Llangollen and Eglwyseg Rocks 
Stage 11 The Clwydian Range 
Stage 12 Northern hills and coast 

Appendix A Useful contacts
Appendix B Accommodation table
Appendix C Topographical Welsh glossary 
Appendix D Further reading 

Seasons

This walk is exceptional in all seasons, though the Black Mountains and Clwydian range deserve respect in winter conditions, and especially in mist, since there are few landmarks on the Black Mountain ridge.

Centres

Chepstow, Hay-on-Wye, Kington, Bishops Castle, Montgomery, Welshpool, Oswestry, Llangollen, Denbigh, Prestatyn.

Difficulty

The trail includes a couple of unavoidably long stages and there are some mountain and moorland stages, but the route poses no special difficulties and caters for walkers of all levels of ability provided that sensible advance planning is undertaken.

Must See

The route highlights a range of striking geological and historical features. Among the geological highlights are the limestone gorge of the lower Wye, the igneous intrusions around Hergest Ridge, the dolerite formations of the Breidden Hills, and the limestone escarpments north of Llangollen. Historical interest is equally strong, with notable sites including Tintern Abbey and Llanthony Priory, as well as the remarkable Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

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