Offa’s Dyke Path – South Section

Chepstow, nestled in the Brecon Beacons National Park, is a cosy town with convenient transport links and impressive scenery. Visitors can either drive or take the train. There are also buses to connect travellers with daily bus and coach trips.

You’ll find spectacular views overlooking the castle and the confluence of two rivers at Chepstow. The Dyke path leads its way through limestone cliffs in the Wye Valley AONB. After a walk past Sedbury Cliffs, you’ll find yourself looking down on Tintern Abbey from Devil’s Pulpit.

The River Wye provides a gentle guide as you take on an unforgettable journey. You can wander over England and Wales as you pass through the villages of Bredbury and Redbrook. In Monmouth, you can find the market town that is bustling with life. Along the way, you’ll see the beautiful hills and valleys of this marvellous landscape.

This is untouched Wales. The region takes you through Wales’ countryside that has been largely untouched for centuries past. You’ll have a chance to see green, rolling hills and wide-open farmland where your route skirts the edges of the Black Mountains. Here, the scenery is beginning to change, but you can see other landmarks along the way like ancient castles and forts. The White Castle is one of the most notable, which is part of the Three Castles route.

Today, you’ll walk from Llangattock to the Black Mountains. You’ll see Wales’ more distinctive, rugged peaks as you travel through the countryside. The only buildings for miles are old, abandoned farmhouses and small villages.

The Offa’s Dyke Trail begins as it climbs gently. Take time along the way to visit the Iron Age fort of Pentwyn and explore the first leg of Hatterrall before descending into the village of Longtown or Llanthony depending on your overnight accommodation.

There are many uphill sections on this route, but the view is worth it. Remember, you can find the highest elevation of this hike here – at 2300 ft (700m). The other thing you can expect to find on the high-level route is the best views. This stretch of countryside is nothing short of beautiful and remote.  As you descend the mountain, you’ll see Llanthony Priory. It’s a short walk and offers a scenic respite as well as an opportunity to stop and take a drink in the Priory Cellar Bar.

Today’s route starts along the banks of the River Wye. The path reaches the edge of the woodlands and backs out into open fields before climbing up to Disgwylfa Hill, with views stretching over Radnorshire. If you want to see the hills of Wales, today’s route is for you. Kington is a charming, picturesque town in England that retains much of its original charm with 16th-century architecture and welcoming taverns. The winding streets lead through the town right to the English border, where you can find many other walker towns.

In this section, we see the Dyke becoming more prominent and starting to build in height as you make your way over Rushock Hill. This route gives you a view of the surrounding countryside that no one can compete with. It’s likely the designers made this path to provide a good vantage point for spotting potential ‘trouble’ from afar. In Knighton, you can visit the Offa’s Dyke Centre. This ancient settlement offers some interesting insights, including Offa’s Dyke Passport.

After breakfast you can depart on your onward journey.