The History of Offa’s Dyke
Walk Offa’s Dyke
Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail is a walking path that is very close in proximity to the border of England and Wales. It was first opened in 1971, and it is open all year for those that want to walk, backpack, or simply experience nature in a whole new dimension. It has been considered one of the top National Trails for Britain, and it has gained notoriety throughout the world. The trail is 285 kilometers in length, and has a rich history that goes back to the 8th century. There are remnants of “Offa’s Dyke”, which goes back to the orders of Offa of Mercia, for history buffs, that is quite the note. The dyke at present, does not go over the mountains, and sticks specifically to the Hatterall Ridge.
Walking Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail can vary in terms of length of time, as it’s 285 kilometers, and solely depends on the walker, or backpacker. On average, however, it has been noted that with a steady pace, the average person could very well make the trek within 12 days.
Due in large part to the border that the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail shares, you’ll find that it has garnered a great deal of attention from the media and tourism board alike. Wales and Britain have partnered together to focus on sustainable tourism, and the trail has been featured on the hit show, “Britain’s Ancient Tracks with Tony Robinson”.
There are a lot of different sights to see when you look into walking the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail. What you will find is that you can see a variety of landscape types, as well as large elements in the distance. Most popular of which include the Black Mountains, Shropshire Hills, and a great deal of hills and areas that are part of the “Switchback”. There are several towns that the trail passes nearby and even through, for those that wish to stop along their trek. These towns include Monmouth, Kington, Llangollen, Bodfari, and Dyserth. These are just a handful of towns that one will pass through or near through the 12 day average walk.
It is best to start this walk going from South to North. While some may want to try another option, the best solution is to go south to north as it will take the least amount of time. A popular choice as an alternative to South to North, is to look into South to Knighton or North to Knighton as a starting line, then go through another half at another time. There’s also subsections that some walkers prefer, but overall, you’ll find that there’s a lot to see and walk through with Offa’s Dyke Path.