Offa's Dyke Path

Offa's Dyke Path

Book your walking holiday along King Offa's Dyke, from Chepstow to Prestatyn.

3 to 17 nights
27-181 miles
Moderate / Demanding to Demanding / Strenuous

From £355 per person

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About the trail

During the 8th century, King Offa of Mercia ordered a great dyke to be built to mark the western boundary of his kingdom with Wales. Offa's Dyke Path follows the course of this ancient earthwork from Chepstow to Prestatyn, passing through scenery of great beauty and variety along the way.

The trail visits a succession of historic border towns and attractive villages including Monmouth, Hay-on-Wye and Welshpool. There is also plenty of historic interest along the trail, including Chepstow Castle, the ruin of Tintern Abbey and the imposing stronghold of White Castle, to name just a few.

We offer multiple holiday options along this trail. If you wish to experience the entire trail, simply select the first option from the list below.

Choose your route

  • Offa's Dyke Path
  • Offa's Dyke Path - North Section
  • Offa's Dyke Path - South Section
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options Offa's Dyke Short Break - South Section
  • Offa's Dyke Short Break - North Section

Dog friendly tours available

Dogs are welcome on select routes along this trail. Look for the pawprint icon when choosing your holiday.

Trail running tours available

We also organise trail running holidays along this route. Find out more.

About this route

7 to 10 nights
98 miles
Moderate / Demanding to Demanding / Strenuous
2nd January to 24th December

From £795 per person

Offa's Dyke Path - North Section

The North section of the Offa’s Dyke path runs from Knighton to Prestatyn. The route passes through two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Shropshire Hills and the Clwydian Hills, as it stretches along Britain’s longest ancient monument.

The picturesque settlements of Montgomery, Welshpool and Llangollen are all visited along the way, each with its own charm and pleasant surroundings to enjoy.

The mountainous backdrops of the Berwyn Mountains and Snowdonia National Park complement the undulating terrain, making for an engaging and fulfilling walking challenge. 

This route can be walked in the opposite direction upon request. Please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
ODPN1 From Knighton to Prestatyn(L) 7 nights, 6 days walking Demanding / Strenuous £795
ODPN2 From Knighton to Prestatyn(L) 8 nights, 7 days walking Demanding £905
ODPN3 From Knighton to Prestatyn(L) 9 nights, 8 days walking Moderate / Demanding £1015
ODPN4 From Knighton to Prestatyn(L) 10 nights, 9 days walking Moderate / Demanding £1125

Short breaks

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
ODPSBS From Hay-on-Wye to Knighton 3 nights, 2 days walking Demanding £355

Offa's Dyke Path - North Section 7 nights, 6 days walking

£NNN per person
  • Itinerary
  • What's included?
  • Extra nights?
  • Tour facts
  • Route profile
  • Travel info
  • Weather
  • Holiday Highlights

Important information

The town of Llangollen is located 1.5 miles off the Offa's Dyke Path trail. This distance is included in the day walks from/to Llangollen where this stop features on any below itineraries. 

 

Start

Travel to Knighton where your first night's accommodation will be booked

Day 1

Knighton to Brompton Crossroads(L). 15 miles (24km) / 3406 ft (1038 m) ascent

Day 2

Brompton Crossroads(L) to Pool Quay(T). 15.5 miles (24.5km) / 1611 ft (491 m) ascent

Day 3

Pool Quay(T) to Bronygarth(T). 21 miles (34km) / 2690 ft (820 m) ascent

Day 4

Bronygarth(T) to Llandegla(T). 15.5 miles (25km) / 2785 ft (849 m) ascent

Day 5

Llandegla(T) to Bodfari(L). 18 miles (28.5km) / 3255 ft (992 m) ascent

Day 6

Bodfari(L) to Prestatyn(L). 12.5 miles (20km) / 2152 ft (656 m) ascent

Finish

Depart from Prestatyn(L) after breakfast

Your Itinerary

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.

Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.

The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation in most cases; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard if practical. A very limited number of stops will require you to travel on foot up to two miles off the trail, however these instances will be clearly communicated to you if applicable.

Further transfers may also be required due to some accommodations having a two-night minimum booking policy, especially at weekends.

Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:

A note about transfers
Solo Traveller Supplement
£60.00 per person / per night
Single Supplement
£50.00 per person / per night


You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£65.00 per person / per night
Standard
Interactive
© Contours Walking Holidays Offa's Dyke Path - North Section map
Knighton to Prestatyn
98 miles (156 km)
2nd January to 24th December

Holiday highlights

Visiting the picturesque town of Montgomery, the smallest county town in England and Wales.

Completing the challenging section through the Clwydian Hills on the final stretch to Prestatyn.

Exploring the length of the ancient Dyke through the Shropshire Hills and the Clwydian Hills. 

What's included?

  • 7 nights' accommodation in en-suite rooms (where available) in selected B&B’s, hotels, inns and guesthouses along the trail, or a short distance away via taxi provided at our expense.
  • Breakfast each day.
  • Door to door luggage transfer.
  • Maps with the route marked on and a guidebook or route notes describing the trail.
  • An information pack containing an itinerary, instructions on how to find your accommodation each night and a kit list.
  • Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of your holiday and back from the end of it.

Extra Nights & Rest Days

An extra night gives you the chance to explore some of the villages and old market towns along the trail, catch up with writing postcards or to simply relax and give your weary legs a rest.

Knighton is a good choice. It is an attractive old town and the Offa's Dyke Centre is well worth a visit.

Llangollen is another pleasant old Welsh town with plenty to see and do.

You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£65.00 per person / per night

Tour Facts

Total distance: 97.5 miles (156 km)
Duration: 7 nights, 6 days walking
Minimum daily distance: 12.5 miles (20 km)
Maximum daily distance: 21 miles (34 km)
Code: ODPN1 Grade: Demanding / Strenuous
Season: 2nd January - 24th December
Start of holiday: Knighton
End of holiday: Prestatyn(L)

Route Profile

Offa's Dyke Path - North Section Route Profile

Travel Information

Useful information and travel links that will assist you in your plans to travel to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent to you with your full tour pack. A summary is given below:

By Air - The most convenient major cities and international airports are Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool John Lennon and Cardiff.

By Rail - There is a rail station at the start of the trail (Knighton) and also at the end of the trail (Prestatyn).

By Bus - Various bus services run to Knighton and from Prestatyn.

From London - Trains run from London Euston & London Paddington stations to Knighton.

Return To The Start - The easiest way to return to the start of the trail, is to take a train from Prestatyn to Knighton.

Weather Information

To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:

  • MetCheck - This website allows you to look up detailed weather information for specific locations as far as six months in advance.
  • Met Office - This website shows regional area forecasts a few days in advance, with a general UK forecast description of up to 30 days in advance.
  • Mountain Forecast - This website shows what the forecast is like up on specific hills and fells, and offers forecasts a few days in advance.

Customer reviews from the Offa's Dyke Path - North Section

“Well, you guys again earn a big complement for having organised this nice holiday for us... The route was quite tough, but we did well and enjoyed the landscape.”
Mr Pennekamp, Netherlands
“Beautiful walking and lovely weather. Mostly good food.”
Ms Meniru, UK
“Fantastic scenery and accommodation. Helped by good weather!”
Mr Branford, UK
“We really enjoyed the walk with very different but interesting accommodation. Everyone was so pleasant and helpful. Comfortable beds and good breakfast every day. Thank you for your organisation.”
Mr Brown, UK
“For us (we are 77) the hike was challenging, but wonderful. It was a totally enjoyable hike and the accommodations and their hosts all were excellent.”
Mr Hughes, UK
“Very tough walking but great scenery and the weather was relatively kind! Walking was hard but fun.”
Mr Williamson, UK
“This is our third Contours holiday walk and the most challenging one so far. We had a lovely cross section of accommodation.”
Mrs Barnes, UK
“Thanks a lot for an excellent holiday. I hope to book another holiday with you in the near future.”
Mr Bell, UK
“It was an amazing experience walking, over 14 walking days in total, from Chepstow to Prestatyn. The accommodation - B&Bs, hotels, pubs - was varied but very good and well chosen, and the variety added to the experience. Would definitely book another holiday with Contours - the organisation, baggage transfer, accommodation and hosts were all very good.”
Mr Rigden, UK
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