Walking Offa's Dyke Path (South)

Walking Offa's Dyke Path (South)

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Walking Offa's Dyke Path (South)

9 Days Starting in Knighton and ending in Chepstow

Visiting: Knighton, Kington, Hay-on-Wye, Longtown, Llangattock Lingoed, Monmouth, Tintern, Chepstow

Tour operator:

Exodus

Tour code:

W08OS

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

Medium, Moderate

Age range:

12 to 99

Tour operated in:
English
Interests:

Cultural, History

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Enjoy the landscapes of the Brecon Beacon National Park and the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as you walk southwards from Knighton, home to the Offa's Dyke Centre. On your journey you'll ascend the highest part of the trail on the Hatterrall Ridge crossing the Black Mountains and follow riverside trails along the River Wye; explore the 'town of books' Hay-on-Wye and enjoy views to Tintern Abbey from Devil's Pulpit. Discover the historical sites of Monnow Bridge, White Castle and Chepstow Castle and look out for some spectacular birdlife - dippers and kingfishers on the rivers and red grouse on the heather moorland of the Black Mountains.

Highlights

  • Walk the southern section of Offa's Dyke National Trail

  • Reach the highest part of the trail on the Hatterrall Ridge

  • Stay in the market towns of Kington, Hay-on-Wye and Monmouth

  • Delight in the flora and fauna of the Black Mountains and Wye Valley

Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1 : Arrive In Knighton
Location: Knighton
Meals Included: No Meals

Arrive in Knighton, home of the Offa's Dyke Centre.

Day 2 : Knighton To Kington
Location: Knighton, Kington
Meals Included: Breakfast

Walk across a patchwork of farmland to Hawthorn Hill for far-stretching
views, including to the site of Owain Glyndwr's Battle of Pilleth. The trail
passes through Granner Wood, a Woodland Trust site which is being restored to
broadleaf woodland. Before reaching the market town of Kington cross Kington
Golf Club, the highest golf club in England on Brandor Hill.

Day 3 : Kington To Hay-On-Wye
Location: Kington, Hay-on-Wye
Meals Included: Breakfast

You reach Hergest Ridge early today with 360 degree views to Pen y Fan to the
south, the Malverns to the east and the hills of Shropshire to the north and
which served as inspiration for Arthur Conan Doyle's Hound of the
Baskervilles. On the ridge is a Victorian racecourse which you walk through
the centre of. Continue on across farmland and down into the valley. The
final stretch is along the River Wye to the 'town of books' Hay-on-Wye.

Day 4 : Hay-On-Wye To Longtown
Location: Hay-on-Wye, Longtown
Meals Included: Breakfast

Pick up lunch supplies (and books!) in Hay-on-Wye and head out of town to
climb gently to the Black Mountains of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Look
out for wild ponies and birds of prey and admire views to the Vale of Eywas.
Descend to Longtown where you can visit the ruins of its 12th century Norman
castle.

Day 5 : Longtown To Llangattock Lingoed
Location: Longtown, Llangattock Lingoed
Meals Included: Breakfast

Continue with a climb back up into the Black Mountains and cross the highest
point along the Offa's Dyke Path at Hatterrall Ridge - enjoy stunning views
to Sugar Loaf and look out for paragliders! Wind your way through farmland to
the tiny village of Llangattock Lingoed and its pretty white church.

Day 6 : Llangattock Lingoed To Monmouth
Location: Llangattock Lingoed, Monmouth
Meals Included: Breakfast

The dyke is no longer visible on this section but there is a wealth of
history with White Castle, part of a trio of Norman fortresses in
Monmouthshire and Monnow Bridge, a 13th century gatehouse bridge in Monmouth
itself.

Day 7 : Monmouth To Tintern
Location: Monmouth, Tintern
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Over the next two days you'll walk in the Wye Valley, an Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty and you'll be walking through ancient woodland for much of the
day. The trail rises first to The Kymin, an 18th Century Round House and
Naval Temple and at Redbrook the trail crosses the border out of Wales for
the final time. Follow the River Wye to Tintern and perhaps visit the
vineyard opposite your accommodation.

Day 8 : Tintern To Chepstow
Location: Tintern, Chepstow
Meals Included: Breakfast

Start the day with a visit to Tintern Abbey, founded in 1131 by Cistercian
monks. The route takes you up a tree lined limestone escarpment to Devil's
Pulpit offering stunning views down to the Abbey and then continues through
woodland before passing Chepstow and arriving at the end of the Trail at
Sedbury cliff on the Severn Estuary. A short transfer takes you to Chepstow
for your last night and a chance to visit Chepstow Castle, the oldest
surviving post Roman fortification in Britain.

Day 9 : Leave Chepstow
Location: Chepstow
Meals Included: Breakfast

Depart from Chepstow after breakfast.

What's Included

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

  • All breakfasts and 1 evening meal

  • Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent

  • GPS route directions and maps - Headwater navigation app

  • 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)

Food

All Breakfasts and 1 evening meal 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.

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.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Walking transfers

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    No vaccinations are obligatory.

  • Do you require a visa for this holiday?

    UK passport holders do not need visas for this trip. Other nationalities should check with the relevant embassies.

  • What is the maximum group size?

    6

  • 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.