This guidebook describes Offa's Dyke Path National Trail, a 177 mile (283km) long-distance walk along the English and Welsh border between Sedbury (near Chepstow) and Prestatyn. The guidebook is split into 12 stages with suggestions for planning alternative itineraries. With 1:25K OS map booklet.
Cicerone says:
This guidebook - which includes both a guide to the route and a separate OS map booklet - describes Offa's Dyke Path National Trail from south to north, following the longest linear earthwork in Britain, running 177 miles along the English-Welsh border between Sedbury (near Chepstow) and Prestatyn on the north Wales Coast. It links the Severn Estuary and the Irish Sea, following the longest linear earthwork in Britain, contouring above the Wye and Dee, visiting hillforts and Norman castles and exploring the hidden heritage of the Marches. The route is exceptional in all seasons, although the Black Mountains and Clwydian range deserve respect in winter conditions.
The guidebook splits one of Britain's classic trails into 12 stages, with suggestions for alternative 8 and 16 day schedules. This is a long but not too difficult walk for walkers of all abilities. Step-by-step route descriptions are accompanied by 1:100,000 OS mapping. A trek planner gives at a glance information about facilities, public transport and accommodation available along the route. Also included is a convenient booklet of 1:25,000 OS maps, which provides all the mapping needed to complete the trail.
The walk is astonishingly varied, taking in the lower Wye gorge, the Severn and the Dee rift valley, the pastures and woodlands of the border country, the remote moorland of the Black Mountains and the Clwydian range, and the dramatic limestone escarpments of Eglwyseg mountain. What makes it even more special is over 60 miles walking alongside the Saxon earthwork of Offa's Dyke, the path sometimes on the Dyke and sometimes alongside.
For nearly 50 years Cicerone have been producing guidebooks on recognised treks, regions, areas and general tips for hikers.
We have used them countless times and they've always provided excellent insight and knowledge that you only get through experience, giving you the edge to make your trip a success and more enjoyable too.
If you're a gram counter you can easily remove sections of the book to take with you making your own ultra-lightweight guidebook with only the essential sections that you require.
This walk is exceptional in all seasons, though the Black Mountains and Clwydian range deserve respect in winter conditions, and especially in mist, since there are few landmarks on the Black Mountain ridge
The trail includes a couple of unavoidably long stages and there are some mountain and moorland stages, but the route poses no special difficulties and caters for walkers of all levels of ability provided that sensible advance planning is undertaken
Must See
Geology - limestone gorge of the lower Wye, igneous intrusions around Hergest ridge, Breidden Hills dolerite, limestone escarpments north of Llangollen Uplands - Black Mountain moorlands, remote Clun Forest, Clwydian ridge Lowlands - orchards and meadows, Montgomery canal, broad Severn valley Historical attractions - Tintern abbey and Llanthony priory, border castles, Pontcysyllte aqueduct
Edition: First
Number of pages: 192
Size: 17.2 x 11.6 x 2.0cm
Weighs 340g
Contents
Introduction From the Severn to the Irish Sea Planning your trip Selecting a schedule When to go Travel to the Path Transport along the Path First and last nights Accommodation Facilities Baggage transfer What to take Planning day by day Using this guide Maps and GPS Waymarking Weather forecasts Phones and wi-fi Emergencies All about the Welsh Marches Geology and landscape Plants and wildlife Border prehistory Offa and the Dyke The Welsh Marches after Offa Offa’s Dyke Path Stage 1 Above the Lower Wye Gorge Stage 2 Sheep and cider in remote Monmouthshire Stage 3 Crossing the Black Mountains Stage 4 Gladestry and Hergest Ridge Stage 5 The Radnorshire Hills Stage 6 Ups and downs in deepest Shropshire Stage 7 The Vale of Montgomery and Long Mountain Stage 8 Across the Severn valley Stage 9 Exploring the unknown Marches Stage 10 The Vale of Llangollen and Eglwyseg Rocks Stage 11 The Clwydian Range Stage 12 Northern hills and coast
Appendix A Useful contacts Appendix B Accommodation along the route Appendix C Topographical Welsh glossary Appendix D Further reading
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