Offa's Dyke Path Walking Holiday | Mid

Accommodation

6 nights' accommodation in carefully selected hotels, inns and country houses including:

• Beautiful Georgian hotel
• 14th Century coaching inn
• Country house hotel set in 270 acres of countryside

Single room supplement

If you would prefer your own room this can usually be accommodated, though an extra charge would apply.

Twin rooms

Solo explorers will be matched up with a likeminded traveller to share with as the rooms are on on a twin basis.

Locally-sourced food

Accommodation and catering partners have been carefully selected based on their commitment to sourcing local produce, organically produced wherever possible.

Kit list

• Comfortable waterproof walking boots or shoes
• Walking socks
• Waterproof jacket & trousers
• Walking poles (optional)
• Warm layers for walking
• Warm hat and gloves
• Suncream
• Head torch
• Small first aid & blister kit
• Day backpack – to carry hydration, lunch, snacks and spare clothing

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Hay-on-Wye
Hay-on-Wye
Hereford
Powys
HR3
UK

Getting there

• By air

  The closest international airport to the tour start point in Hay-On-Wye are Birmingham and Bristol Airports. It is approximately a 2.5 hour taxi transfer from the airport to the tour start point in Hay-On-Wye or alternatively travel by rail to Hereford station. The closest international airport to the tour endpoint in Welshpool is Birmingham Airport. It is approximately a 2 hour taxi transfer to either airport from the tour end point in Welshpool or alternatively travel by rail from Welshpool.

• By rail

  The closest train station to the tour start point in Hay-On-Wye is Hereford Station. From Hereford Station, it is an approximate 40 minute taxi transfer to your accommodation. From the tour end point in Welshpool, the closest train station is Welshpool Station. Welshpool Station is a 10 minute walk from your accommodation.

• By road

  Hay-On-Wye is located less than 1.5 hours from the A5, and less than 1.5 hours from the M5 and less than 3 hours from the M54 motorways. Welshpool is located less than 1.5 hours from the M54 and M6 motorways. Multi-day parking is available at Welsh Street car park, payable locally.

Itinerary

• Day 1 | Arrival and welcome

  Arrive in Hay-On-Wye, ready to check into your beautiful Georgian hotel. Hay-On-Wye is a lovely picturesque market town made famous by its numerous second-hand books and bookshops. Take a walk around the streets, perhaps pick up an interesting title to read during your trip.

  After a welcome meeting with your Tour Leader, enjoy a tasty welcome dinner and a cold Welsh beer as you get to know your fellow travellers.

• Day 2 | Hay-on-Wye to Kington (24km)

  Set off from Hay-on-Wye for your first day of hiking. Start by following the River Wye before crossing through valleys and farmland, through the centre of an old Victorian racecourse on the Hergest Ridge. From high up here the views are incredible. On a clear day you’ll be able to see Pen y Fan, the Malverns to the east and the hills of Shropshire, the inspiration for Arthur Conan Doyle’s Hound of Baskervilles. 

  This evening you’ll be resting your legs in a 14th Century coaching inn, with an open fire to settle in front of and wind down ahead of your final day of walking.

• Day 3 | Kington to Knighton (22km)

  You’ll begin today’s walk trailing through Granner Wood, a Woodland Trust site currently being restored to broadleaf woodland. Along the way, take in the impressive views at Hawthorn Hill, which includes views of Owain Glyndwr’s Battle of Pilleth. 

  In 1402, the Welsh rebel Owain Glyndwr and his followers met an English army led by Sir Edmund Mortimer at Pilleth, near the border town of Presteigne. The English forces outnumbered the Welsh but the result of the battle was an overwhelming Welsh victory.

• Day 4 | Knighton to Mellington (24km)

  Ready for a challenge? Today’s section of the Offa’s Dyke Path is often thought of as the toughest, but also one of the most rewarding. 

  Explore the Shropshire Hills AONB. Centuries of farming have shaped the landscape. Over half of the AONB is grazing land, and below the moorland and rough grass hilltops and commons lies a patchwork of fields rich in hedgerows and veteran trees. Ancient woodlands, wildflower meadows and orchards also survive, each habitat with its characteristic wildlife plants and invertebrates. Red Grouse and Skylark are among the great variety of birds you might spot along the way.

  Cross Llanfair Hill, a mountain summit in the Llangurig to Clun Valley region of mid Wales. The path winds scenically across the Parish, Llanfair Waterdine being at the same time both part of The Shropshire hills AONB and the Welsh Marches. This section through Shropshire includes some of the best preserved and most impressive sections of the Offa’s Dyke monument.

  Arrive at your country house hotel after another wonderful day on Offa’s Dyke Path. The trail leads you right into the hotel’s 270 acres of countryside, ready for you to rest your feet and enjoy a warm meal before bed.

• Day 5 | Mellington to Welshpool (25km)

  After breakfast, your route today is relatively flat as you follow the true national boundary. Reach Beacons Ring, site of an Iron Age fort. This pre-Roman hillfort has incredible views into the Severn Valley. The interior of the site was planted with trees to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

  Arrive at your hotel. Put your feet up, take a long hot shower and relax.

• Day 6 | Welshpool to Llanymynech (17km)

  Head back out onto Offa’s Dyke Path after a hearty breakfast. The trail sets out along the Montgomery Canal before leading you along stretches of the River Severn as you make your way to the small village of Llanymynech. Llanymynech high street sits right on the Welsh-English border, dividing this small town between two nations.

  After today’s relatively flat stretch of the Offa’s Dyke Path, you’ll be collected and taken to Welshpool to enjoy a final night in the coaching inn. Celebrate your epic achievement with some Welsh beers with your new hiking family. You’ve earned it!

• Day 7 | Depart

  It’s time to pack your things and say goodbye to your fellow walkers as you enjoy your final breakfast.

Included

• 6 nights' accommodation
• 5 full days of guided walking
• Breakfast daily
• Welcome evening meal
• Daily luggage transfers
• 2 transfers to and from your accommodation
• Professional, local, English-speaking guide
• Voluntary trail clean in association with Trash Free Trails
• 1 native tree planted in the woodland

Caring for the world as you do

This adventure supports local, independent businesses. Local guides are always used – people who will give you a more authentic experience and share the hidden secrets only local adventurers can bring. And because this is their home, they have a truly active interest in caring for their environment.

The carbon footprint of all trips is measured and reduced to be as low as possible. Any carbon that is yet to be mitigated is off-set through a local tree planting project. One tree exceeds what is needed to offset the emissions of your low carbon adventure holiday.

Here is a summary of the Sustainability Policy:

Economic responsibility

• Keeping it local

  Working exclusively with local, independently-owned businesses to ensure your money goes straight into the communities that you're visiting.

• Fair pay for quality service

  Treating partners fairly for the high standards of service they deliver to you, whilst still ensuring value for money.

• Supporting local producers

  Local, independent shops, accommodation, bars and eateries are used and encouraged.

Environmental responsibility

• Low carbon travel

  Ensuring the carbon footprint of this adventure is offset by planting native broadleaf trees, including oak, ash and birch.

  Responsibility is taken for ensuring the carbon footprint of your travel is offset. By working with the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, the unavoidable carbon emissions created by travel are offset, but also new, biodiverse woodland areas within the UK are created that will benefit both the planet and the community. Planting native broadleaf trees, including oak, ash and birch, is helping to increase the available natural habitat for the UK’s native wildlife. Species such as bullfinches, beavers, the brimstone butterfly and many more are all benefitting from this.

• Avoiding single-use plastics

  Reusable aluminium bottles are provided on arrival at your accommodation and packed lunches use more sustainable wrapping such as paper bags or wax paper wrap.

• Locally sourced food

  Accommodation and catering partners have been carefully selected based on their commitment to sourcing local produce, organically produced wherever possible.

• Blue Flag Award

  Partnering with one of the first boat tour operators in the UK to be awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Sustainable Boat Tour Operator status.

Social responsibility

• Small group tours

  The primary concern with tourism in the UK’s wild spaces is to ensure it only has a positive impact on the local communities and culture so for this reason small group trips never exceed 15 guests.

• Live like a local

  Learning the history and culture of a region plays a big role in your travelling experience – it’s what brings a place to life.

• Read the landscape

  The historical significance of the area is brought to life by the local guides who help you understand the features of the landscape.

• Learn the language

  Keeping local languages alive is sacred, so you’re encouraged to learn simple words and phrases during your time on the adventure.

• Understanding farming culture

  Respecting the countryside code and understanding farming practices are important for visitors to the area.

Adventure promise

Making travel better for everyone

The Adventure Promise is simple and honest. It’s the commitment that this challenge will always do right by you, local communities and the world we live in:

• Payment Instalments
• Flexible Booking
• Low Carbon
• Low Impact
• Support Local
• All Abilities
• Covid Secure

Costs