Walking Offa's Dyke Path (North)

Walking Offa's Dyke Path (North)

10 Days Starting in Rhuallt and ending in Knighton

Visiting: United Kingdom, Wales

Tour operator:

Exodus

Tour code:

W09OF

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 6

Physical rating:

Leisurely / Moderate

Age range:

12 to 99

Tour operated in:
English
Activities:

Walking

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Offa's Dyke path runs for 177 miles from the North Wales coast at Prestatyn to Chepstow on the Severn Estuary. The route, a National Trail since 1971 follows a wide border rampart, built by Offa, the King of Mercia, in the 8th century to protect his kingdom from his rivals in what is now Wales. The trail passes through eight counties. Our walk covers the Northern section of the trail from Prestatyn to Knighton and goes through two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Clwydian Range and the Shropshire Hills. Walking southwards pass through the highest of the Clwydian Hills, Moel Famau the tallest at 554m is crowned with the remains of the Jubilee Tower and has views to Snowdonia and the Mersey estuary and Liverpool. Walk on heather clad hills and past Iron Age forts, before descending to World's End and arriving at the riverside town of Llangollen. Cross the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, after which the route then follows more closely the Welsh/English border, crossing several times on the way to Knighton. Accommodation is in a mix of friendly guesthouses, pubs and hotels, some of which are off the main route of the Offa's Dyke Path.

Highlights

  • Walk the northern half of this 8th Century ancient monument

  • Discover limestone quarries, heather-clad ridges and Iron Age hillforts

  • Climb hills and descend valleys, winding back and forth across the Welsh - English border

  • Two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Clwydian Range and the Shropshire Hills

Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1 : Arrive In Rhuallt
Meals Included: dinner

Arrive in this small village 6 miles south of the trailhead at Prestatyn.

Day 2 : Prestatyn To Bodfari (Rhuallt)
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner

A short transfer takes you to the trailhead to walk the first section. From Prestatyn Beach head into the Clwydian Range, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, crossing a series of stone stiles that are unique to this section of the trail. Enjoy spectacular views across to Snowdonia as you head toward Bodfari. Return transfer to Rhuallt.

Day 3 : Rhuallt (Bodfari) To Llanarmon-Yn-Lal
Meals Included: breakfast

Take a short transfer back to the route at Bodfari. Discover the higher Clwydian peaks, including Moel Famau, the tallest at 554m and crowned with the remains of the Jubilee Tower. Enjoy a series of Iron and Bronze Age hillforts at Foel Fenlli, Moel Arthur and Penycloddiau. Leave the trail to arrive in Llanarmon-yn-Ial.

Day 4 : Llanarmon-Yn-Lal To Llangollen
Meals Included: breakfast

Head through Llandegla Forest and over heather-clad moorland, home to the largest Black Grouse population in Wales. Pass through World's End to finally reach the dramatic limestone crags of the Eglwysegs as you near Llangollen.

Day 5 : Llangollen To Llwynmawr
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner

At 38m high, Pontcysllte Aqueduct is the world's highest navigable aqueduct and has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009. Cross this feat of engineering on your way to Llwynmawr.

Day 6 : Llywnmawr To Llanymynech
Meals Included: breakfast

Enjoy stunning 360 degree views from the summit of Moelydd and discover the mining area of Nantmawr, before entering the previously busy limestone quarry of Llwynmawr Quarry.

Day 7 : Llanymynech To Buttington
Meals Included: breakfast

This almost flat stage follows stretches of the Montgomeryshire Canal and the River Severn. Llanymynech high street sits right on the Welsh-English border, dividing this small town between two nations!

Day 8 : Buttington To Mellington
Meals Included: breakfast

Another relatively flat stage, the Trail and the Dyke itself follow the true national boundary closely here. A detour to Montgomery town is well worth it if you have the time.

Day 9 : Mellington To Knighton
Meals Included: breakfast

Often thought of as one of the toughest sections of the Trail, what a way to end your trip. Discover the Shropshire Hills AONB and some of the best preserved sections of Offa's Dyke on Llanfair Hill.

Day 10 : Leave Knighton
Meals Included: breakfast

Depart Knighton after breakfast

What's Included

  • 9 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of hotels, inns and B&B's

  • All breakfasts and 3 evening meals

  • GPS route directions and maps - Headwater navigation app

  • Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent

  • Luggage transfers between hotels

  • Walking transfers

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)

  • Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)

Accommodation

Accommodation is in a mix of friendly hotels, inns and guesthouses, some of which are off the main route of the Offa's Dyke Path.

Food

All Breakfasts and 3 evening meals are included. Try out traditional local country pubs for lunch or enjoy a picnic in the countryside. Sample local cuisine such as cawl, Welsh rarebit, laverbread, Welsh cakes, bara birth and the Glamorgan sausage. These dishes are regarded as symbols of Welsh food.

Check out our Q&As

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this Operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
John Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I went cycling in Albania...

19-Aug-2023

I went cycling in Albania with exodus as my first holiday with them. Such a well organised and wonderful experience where I met multiple fellow travellers who have been advocates of them for many years. You can't argue with happy repeat customers and I'm planning my next adventure with them soon

Rob Burridge (Google Reviewer)  

I'v just come back from...

17-Jul-2022

I'v just come back from an amazing Wildlife & Wilderness trip in Botswana and I highly recommend Exodus Travels. Our guide Brian, was extremely knowledgeable on both the wildlife and history of Botswana and neighbouring countries. The other three staff, Abbis, Chief & Mr T, who accompanied us through out our 2 week trip, put in the hard work and made sure our camp was always prepared and that we we're well fed and looked after. The tour took us to some beautiful places and we saw some amazing wildlife, and on several occasions this was due to Brian's knowledge of the area and wildlife behaviour. Exodus have been very quick to respond to any queries I had, and the whole experience ran smoothly. I was also pleased to hear that during lockdown they provided staff with food packages 👍. I'd normally go on self organised trips, however, with this trip, the tour and guide Brian took us to places not possible otherwise and showed us things that we would'v missed out on. All of which were the highlights of the tour.

Daphne Partridge (Google Reviewer)  

After 14 roup adventure holidays...

26-Nov-2023

After 14 roup adventure holidays with Exofus we would not hesitate to recommend them as an excitingholiday company. They take you off the beaten track but offer great support and expertise :)

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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