The south section of the Offa’s Dyke path runs 90km from Sedbury Cliffs to Hay-On-Wye. Named after King Offa, the dyke was ordered to be constructed in the 8th century to divide his kingdom of Mercia from rival kingdoms in what is now Wales.
Take in beautiful views of the Black Mountains in the Brecon Beacons National Park, as well as charming villages, including Hay-on-Wye with its world famous bookshops.
This section of Offa’s Dyke Path crosses a variety of terrain, including quiet semi-ancient woodland and rolling hills, with plenty of fascinating folklore to discover, such as the mysterious limestone pillar of the Devil’s Pulpit.
6 nights, zero-hassle and all this included:
- 5 days self-guided hiking with gpx route maps provided
- 6 nights accommodation in a range of good quality hotels & guesthouses
- breakfast daily
- luggage transfers each day
- handy mobile app to keep every trip detail at your fingertips
- 24/7 telephone support during your adventure
- 1 native tree planted in our woodland or alternative carbon project
Plus flexible booking terms as part of our Adventure Promise, including instalment payments to spread the cost of your adventure.
See the full itinerary in the tab above.
For adventurers who:
Are experienced walkers or willing to train for multiple days of walking 4 to 6 hours per day. The walks are moderately challenging and can take you over difficult paths. Expect undulating paths throughout including significant ascents and descents
Perfect for couples, friends and solo hikers
Day 1: Welcome
Check into your family-run guest house in the heart of Chepstow. This afternoon, why not visit Chepstow castle, the oldest surviving castle in Wales dating from 1067. Or perhaps take a stroll through this mediaeval town. Chepstow, which means marketplace in Old English, is a great place for a little shopping. You’ll find plenty of tempting independent boutiques amid the handsome Georgian and Victorian buildings in the centre of town.
Day 2: Sedbury Cliffs to Tintern (13km | 420m)
Enjoy a hearty breakfast ahead of the first day of your journey. After a short taxi transfer to the start point at Sedbury Cliffs, your first day’s hiking will cover around 12 kilometres through a semi-ancient wooded valley and along picturesque rivers with some incredible viewpoints, including the Devil’s Pulpit. The Devil’s Pulpit is a viewpoint and limestone rock jutting out from the cliffs high above the River Wye offering breathtaking views over Tintern Abbey.
To complete your first walk, drop down into the picturesque village of Tintern, which hugs the River Wye at this point. Take time to visit Tintern Abbey, a national icon standing on the banks of the River Wye since it was founded in 1131 by monks of the Cistercian Order, or enjoy a self-guided vineyard tour at Parva Farm Vineyard. Check into your beautiful accommodation for the night, where your luggage will be waiting for you.
Day 3: Tintern to Monmouth (20km | 530m)
After breakfast, follow the River Wye as you leave Tintern behind and set off on the next stretch of Offa’s Dyke Path.
Enjoy the relatively flat first half of today’s walk as you follow the River Wye’s edge, before climbing steadily up through the beautiful semi-ancient woodland of the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As you near the outskirts of Monmouth town, pause to explore The Kymin, a charming 18th-century Round House and Naval Temple. Make sure you pay a visit to Monmouth Castle and Monnow Bridge, Great Britain’s only remaining fortified river bridge, in the centre of town before you head to your boutique hotel for the night.
Monmouth has officially been named as the UK’s first Bee Town, thanks to the local council’s work to make the town a better place for pollinators. Why not visit the Bees for Development shop in town, selling handmade gifts to support beekeepers in the poorest communities.
Day 4: Monmouth to Llangattock Lingoed (23km | 530m)
Today’s stretch of Offa’s Dyke Path is around 23 kilometres, leaving Monmouth behind and heading to the small village of Llangattock Lingoed. As you walk through the open countryside, you may be able to spot The Kymin behind you.
Take in the incredible landscape as you climb through King’s Wood, across open farmland and along the River Trothy. Offa’s Dyke Path leads you past the mediaeval Llanvihangel-Ystern-Llewern church, a 15th century active parish. Back in the open landscape, you might see the mountains of Skirrid and Sugar Loaf visible in the distance.
Take a moment on your way to explore the serene White Castle, the best preserved and most imposing of the trio of Monmouthshire fortresses known as the ‘Three Castles’. Continue on your way to reach the small village of Llangattock Lingoed – as you pass the pretty white pre-Norman church of St Cadoc on the edge of the village, take a moment to head inside and view the impressive early 15th century wall painting. Relax this evening and enjoy a well-deserved drink in the local pub.
Day 5: Llangattock Lingoed to Longtown (15km | 560m)
After another hearty breakfast (it’s a good job you’re doing so much walking!), continue on your way along Offa’s Dyke Path, through rolling fields and farmland as you leave Llangattock Lingoed behind.
Today’s route crosses the highest point along the southern section of Offa’s Dyke Path at Hatterall Ridge as you walk through the stunning Black Mountains.
Traverse your way down from the Black Mountains plateau to arrive at your home for tonight, a homely pub in the village of Longtown.
Day 6: Longtown to Hay-on-Wye (22km | 640m)
After breakfast has settled it’s time to hike back up to the top of the Black Mountains plateau within the Bannau Brycheiniog national park where you can continue soaking up the stunning vistas. Keep an eye out here for herds of wild ponies, birds of prey and views to the Vale of Ewyas. This is also a popular paragliding spot so keep your eyes peeled for brightly-coloured parachutes filling the sky above!
Just before reaching Hay Bluff, you’ll make your final descent into Hay-on-Wye, world-renowned for its books and bookshops.
Spend your last evening celebrating your awesome achievement relaxing at your traditional inn, or head into the bustling market town for a few well-earned Welsh beers.
Day 7: Depart Hay-On-Wye
After breakfast it’s time to depart having completed the first section of this epic long distance walking route!
If you require assistance with onward travel or accommodation to extend your time in Wales, or if you’d like to head straight into the next stage of the Offa’s Dyke Path, please let us know when you enquire about dates. We’ll be happy to help with any additional arrangements you need.
What's included
- 5 days self-guided hiking with gpx route maps provided
- 6 nights accommodation in a range of good quality hotels & guesthouses
- breakfast daily
- luggage transfers each day
- handy mobile app to keep every trip detail at your fingertips
- 24/7 telephone support during your adventure
- 1 native tree planted in our woodland or alternative carbon project
Supercharge your trip
Give your adventure a boost with these optional extras:
- Private room – this trip is based on a 2-person booking in a shared room. We can usually accommodate requests for private rooms, please check when you enquire about dates
- Looking for a bigger challenge? An additional 2 days’ hiking will get you to the halfway point at Knighton, or for a really epic challenge undertake the full 15 days’ hike in one go to complete the whole of Offa’s Dyke Path!
- Return transfers: if you’re travelling by air, rail or ferry – please contact us to discuss your requirements
What you need to bring
- Comfortable waterproof walking boots or shoes
- Walking socks
- Waterproof jacket & trousers
- Walking poles (optional)
- Warm layers including a wicking base layer
- Warm hat & gloves
- Sun cream & sun hat
- Head torch
- First aid & blister kit
- Day backpack – to carry hydration, lunch, snacks and spare clothing
- Portable battery charger – to keep your phone powered for navigation
What you need to know
- This trip departs weekly on a Saturday – please use the enquiry form to request availability of your preferred date
- Enjoy the reassurance of flexible booking terms, part of our Adventure Promise
- Enjoy the reassurance of flexible booking terms, part of our Adventure Promise
- Spread the cost of your adventure with instalment payments
- Check in is from 15:00 on your arrival day
- Suitable for age 16+ years (accompanied by a parent or guardian)
- Expect to be out walking for 5-6 hours per day
- This is your adventure and you’re in control – if you’d like any additional experiences or an extended stay, simply let us know when you submit your enquiry
- We’ll manage all the bookings and arrangements to make your experience perfect
Getting Here
By Air
- The closest international airport to the tour start point in Chepstow is Bristol Airport
- It is approximately a 1 hour taxi transfer from the airport to the tour start point in Chepstow or alternatively travel by rail to Chepstow and follow the By Rail instructions below
- The closest international airports to the tour endpoint in Hay-On-Wye are Birmingham Airport and Bristol Airport
- It is approximately a 2.5 hour taxi transfer to either airport from the tour end point in Hay- On-Wye or alternatively take a taxi transfer to the nearest railway station in Hereford and follow the By Rail instructions below
By Rail
- The closest train station to the tour start point in Chepstow is Chepstow Station
- From Chepstow Station, it is a 10 minute walk to your accommodation
- From the tour end point in Hay-on-Wye, the closest train station is Hereford Station
- Hereford Station is a 40 minute drive from your accommodation
By Road
- Chepstow 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
- Hay-On-Wye is located less than 1.5 hours from the M54 and M6 motorways
If you require assistance with arranging taxi transfers, please get in touch with a member of our team
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