Offa's Dyke Trip Report
Day 1
Started 5.15pm on 15th August, a little later that hoped for but still with plenty of daylight left. Sourced food in Prestatyn for dinner, snacks and breakfast. First field of cows encountered. The steep climb out out Prestatyn meant a superb view of the sea. Camped a mile or so after Bodfari, in a clearing next to the path.
14.9miles
Day 2
Slept badly, was very cold during night. Started moving at 7.45am
Very hilly and misty to start with but enjoyed the glorious trails over Moel Famu Country Park. Cafe on map at Clwyd Gate no longer exists but I was able to get water from a nearby farm. Many cows in many fields.
Had lovely lunch in Llandegla community shop cafe and stocked up on snacks. Incredible sights across Cyrn-Y-Brain, Worlds End and running along the edge of Eglwyseg Mountain. Filled up on water in Trevor. Missed pub dinner in Trefonen, camped in overgrown field just after village. Route generally hillier than anticipated.
43ish miles
Day 3
Very cold during night, again, so very little sleep. Started moving at 7.15am. Got breakfast, drinks and water in Llanymynech. Enjoyed the flat of the canal into Four Crosses. Much of today was spent being too cold or too hot and today was becoming very warm. First half of day was very flat terrain, following the River Severn and the the Shropshire Union Canal. Stocked up with water, lunch, drinks and snacks at service station at Buttington. A small detour but well worth it. Made an additional stop at the pub/hotel in Kingswood. Enjoyed drying my tent in the beer garden. Made the poor decision not to detour to Montgomery to get dinner and to survive off remaining snacks. The Shropshire Hills…oh my. I was rapidly losing my sense of humour. Very slow going up and down. Steep and relentless. I couldn’t find the water point at Newcastle and it was getting dark. I was grateful for my filter bottle, filling it from the very slow flowing River Clun. I camped near the river.
39ish miles
Day 4
This was a bad day. Another poor night’s sleep. It was warmer but I was still cold in the night, also now feeling quite nauseous. Skittles and cashew nuts do not make a good dinner. Got more water from the river and trudged slowly to Knighton. Offa’s Dyke Centre was closed but I was able to get necessary supplies from the shops in Knighton. This was a long day of feeling ill and being ill (I was sick twice and had to regularly sit/snooze). Made the decision to book a B&B. Got to Kington at 6ish for more drinks and dinner before heading over the Hergest Ridge to stay in a B&B just outside of Gladestry, arriving just after 8pm. Grateful for a bath and a bed.
26ish miles
Day 5
Nervous about the day ahead but felt revitalised by not feeling as awful as I had the previous day. Was able to noticed once again the beauty of the route. Had made the decision to B&B tonight as well and once I received confirmation from a B&B in Hendre, I posted 2kg of my camping kit home to myself from Hay on Wye Post Office. I needed to rescue this trip and if I wasn’t going to camp, I didn’t need to carry so much kit with me. This was a huge boost. I still wasn’t feeling 100% but I stocked up on lunch, dinner and coca cola in Hay. Loved the Hatterall Ridge after Hay. It was lovely climbing, carrying less weight and once at the top, the trails and views were tip top. Stopped briefly at the Hunters Moon at Llangattock Lingeod for water, beer and crisps. Although I didn’t need it, I popped my head into St Michael’s Church in Llanfihangel ystern-Llewern, to see if it really was as warm and as welcoming as stated. Yes, the kettle was there, ready for use, even at 8pm. Made it to Old Hendre Farm B&B at 8.30pm for shower and bed.
40ish miles
Day 6
Left after a small breakfast at 8.30am. A rainy morning. Felt a little better than the day before but appetite not fully returned. I was moving well through the woods and got to Monmouth at 9.30am. Picked up a sugary drink. Had a great morning following the Dyke, taking the higher path (rather than the river path) at Bigsweir House. Navigated goats and horses in narrow paths and was unsurprised to find the finish at the top of a hill (a short hill, but a hill nonetheless).
22ish miles
Finished at 2.10pm.
Total time 4 days 20hrs 55mins
116hrs 55mins
I did not run with anyone for any part of this journey.
I was dropped off at the start point and I got the train home from the finish (after walking back into Chepstow).