Offa's Dyke Path Walking Holiday | North

Accommodation

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

• A cosy, former coaching inn
• Traditional, rural Welsh inn
• Hotel, in a quaint village
• Family-run hotel serving traditional home-cooked meals

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 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.

Season

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

Meeting point

Welshpool
Welshpool
Powys
SY21
UK

Getting there

• By air

  The closest international airports are Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport. It is approximately a 1 hour 40 minute taxi transfer from Liverpool John Lennon Airport or 2 hour 10 minute transfer from Manchester Airport to the tour start point in Betws-y-Coed or alternatively travel by rail to Betws-Y-Coed. It is approximately a 2 hour taxi transfer to either airport from the tour end point in Betws-y-Coed or alternatively travel by rail from Bangor.

• By rail

  The tour start point is in Betws-y-Coed which has its own station. From Wrexham Station, it is a 1 hour taxi transfer to the tour start point in Bala or alternatively travel by bus from Wrexham via Arriva X94. From the tour end point in Betws-y-Coed, there’s a train station walking distance from your hotel. Bangor Station is a 45 minute taxi transfer from Betws-y-Coed or alternatively travel by bus from Betws-y-Coed.

• By road

  The tour start point in Betws-y-Coed is located on the A470, and less than 1.5 hours from M56 and M54 motorways. The tour end point in Trearddur Bay is located less than 30 minutes from the A5, and less than 1.5 hours from the M56 and less than 3 hours from the M54 motorways.

Itinerary

• Day 1 | Arrival and welcome

  Arrive in Welshpool, ready to check into your cosy accommodation. For the first night of your walking holiday you will be staying in a former coaching inn. Take some time to settle into your surroundings, perhaps choosing to take a walk down the canal – or save your legs for the coming days and relax in a coffee shop.

  After a welcome meeting with your Tour Leader, enjoy a tasty welcome dinner to get to know your new walking companions.

• Day 2 | Llanymynech to Llwynmawr (24km)

  Tuck into breakfast with your group before setting off to join the Offa’s Dyke Path. As you leave Llanymynech behind, you’ll pass the Llanymynech Quarry. Mining and quarrying on a small scale were carried out here for more than 2000 years, right up until the First World War.

  Reminders of this ancient industry can be seen in the old stone tramways and a winding house. The old quarries were designated a nature reserve in 1972 and much of it has now regenerated as woodland; ash trees twined in wild clematis, or old man’s beard, as it is also known, on account of the smoky wreathes of seed-heads that turn bushes and trees white here in autumn.

  Take in the spectacular 360-degree view from the summit of Moelydd as you near Llwynmawr, a small village in the Ceiriog Valley. Check into your Welsh inn in the rural village of Llwynmawr this evening and enjoy a tasty meal before resting your head.

• Day 3 | Llwynmawr to Llangollen (20km)

  Today you’ll continue along Offa’s Dyke Path, crossing the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. This recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site is 38m high, making it the world’s highest navigable aqueduct. Carrying the Llangollen Canal high above the valley of the River Dee, the towering Victorian aqueduct is a testament to the engineering skill of Thomas Telford.

  Drop down into the town of Llangollen, situated on the River Dee. This riverside town also has a wealth of independent shops to browse and interesting places to visit. Take a stroll along the Victorian Promenade, visit the Riverside Park or watch the river tumble down beneath the bridge.

  Take the evening to relax, take a long hot shower and give your feet a well-earned rest.

• Day 4 | Llangollen to Llanarmon-Yn-Lal (23km)

  Head out from Llangollen up to the dramatic limestone crags of the Eglwysegs. The entire valley has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Landscape of Special Historic Interest. The upland moors have several Bronze Age burial mounds, and there is evidence of agricultural use of the area from the Bronze Age.

  Cross through the heather-clad moorlands, home to the largest population of Black Grouse in Wales. You’ll walk through Llandegla forest, a popular destination for mountain bikers and families.

  After today’s stretch of the Offa’s Dyke Path, you’ll be collected from the small village of Llanarmon-yn-Ial and taken to Llangollen to spend a second evening in Llangollen, where you can rest your weary legs.

• Day 5 | Llanarmon-Yn-Lal to Bodfari (25km)

  After being transported back to rejoin the trail, today’s section of Offa’s Dyke Path will lead you through the Clwydian Range, passing by Iron and Bronze Age hill forts at Penycloddiau, Moel Arthur and Foel Fenlli. At the top of the tallest hill in this range is Moel Famau. At 554 metres, you’ll visit the remains of the Jubilee Tower at its summit, built in 1810 for the golden jubilee of King George III.

  The heather covering a large portion of the hill creates excellent nesting and feeding areas for upland birds, including the Black Grouse, one of the rarest birds in Wales, but found here in small numbers.

  You’ll be collected from the path and taken to your accommodation for this evening, a family-run hotel in Rhuallt serving traditional home-cooked meals.

• Day 6 | Bodfari to Prestatyn Beach (20km)

  A short transfer will return your group back to Offa’s Dyke Path this morning. Take in the incredible views across to Snowdonia as you leave Bodfari behind. The final section of Offa’s Dyke Path leads you through the Clwydian Range, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Here you’ll cross a series of stone stiles unique to this section of the ancient trail and enjoy spectacular views across to Snowdonia National Park.

  Leave the hills behind as you descend into Prestatyn town and continue to the beach. Tradition says this iconic route is complete when you dip your toes into the Irish Sea!

  Enjoy a final evening at the family-run hotel, and celebrate the end of Offa’s Dyke Path. What better way to commemorate your epic achievement than with a few Welsh beers.

• 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
• 4 transfers to and from 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