Offa’s Dyke from Bodfari – Prestatyn

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Offa’s Dyke from Bodfari – Prestatyn

By Ian Parri   

on December 9, 2020   4.5/5 (2)

Posted in Official Offa's Dyke Route

Offa’s Dyke from Bodfari – Prestatyn

Further Details

Route Summary:

An undulating final trek over low-slung hills that offer impressive views over the Irish Sea brings the Path to an easy end.

Distance: 19.47 km

Ascent: 630 m

Time: 5 hours

Timings are approximate and depend on the individual. Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start and Finish: Bodfari – Prestatyn

Facilities:

Substantial facilities and transport connections are found at the Path’s end in Prestatyn. The White House Hotel and Spa at Rhuallt could be an useful resting spot before the final push.

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Offa’s Dyke from Bodfari – Prestatyn Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

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Offa’s Dyke from Bodfari – Prestatyn

The final section of Offa’s Dyke from Bodfari – Prestatyn

Clwydian Hills

THE Path plods on relentlessly through the Clwydian Hills, not offering and challenging ascents or descents on a fairly level route to the coast. For example, on the way you’ll flank Moel Maenefa, whose summit at 289m ranks as the 1,606th tallest in Wales!

However look at it as an easy unwinding end to a hugely challenging long distance trail, and look forward to the traditional dipping of your toes in the chill waters of the Irish Sea at journey’s end in Prestatyn.

The amusingly-named hamlet of Sodom that you’ll pass illustrates the 18th and 19th century penchant for Biblical names in a Wales that at the time was in thrall to the Methodist movement.

You’ll climb over Cefn Du and past Moel Maenefa, before reaching a footbridge crossing the relentless A55 dual carriageway. This road is also variously known as the North Wales Expressway, or part of the 5,320km-long E22 euroroute between the Welsh port of Holyhead and Ishim in Siberia.

Rhuallt

Soon you’ll make it to the village of Rhuallt, whose correct pronunciation calls for a firm grip of Welsh phonetics. Do bear in mind that the ‘rh’ and the ‘ll’ are known as digraphs and treated as single letters in Welsh, totally distinct from ‘r’ and ‘l’, with strictly phonetic pronunciations. If you wear false teeth, take care when you attempt it.

Nowadays, no longer being on any main routes since being by-passed by the A55, it’s a chilled-out place where you can enjoy a drink or a meal at the White House Hotel and Spa as you contemplate the final 8km pull into Prestatyn.

The Path snakes through a tiny little place called Marian Cwm to the ridge at Prestatyn Cliffs, where you can finally hear the waves and taste the brine in the air.

Journey’s End

The Pontins holiday complex on your right tells you that you’re in Prestatyn, and nearing the Path’s end. It’s not the most inspiring of towns if truth be told, but you might find the remains of the Roman baths interesting. There are countless options for refreshments and accommodation here, while the railway station is smack in the centre of town.

You’ll also find the eastern end of the 96km-long North Wales Path, a coastal route to Bangor that’s now a section of the 1,400km-long Wales Coast Path, if you still haven’t walked far enough.

 

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Ian Parri

A journalist and author by trade, he has worked throughout Wales in print and broadcast journalism in both Welsh and English. He has a series of published travelogues to his name, one of which was a tongue-in-cheek journey along our country's back roads north to south nominated on the long list for Welsh Book of the Year. He loves the written word and travelling, and holds a deep fascination for Wales in all its multi-faceted aspects.Current editor of the Teith.io travel website.

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