Sunday, April 29, 2012

The Offa's Dyke trail





This year's hike will take me 177miles northward along the Offa's Dyke national trail. The path was opened in the summer of 1971, linking Sedbury Cliffs near Chepstow on the banks of the Severn estuary with the coastal town of Prestatyn on the shores of the Irish sea.

It is named after, and often follows, the spectacular Dyke which King Offa ordered to be constructed in the 8th century, probably to divide his Kingdom of Mercia from rival kingdoms in what is now Wales.

In its 177 miles / 285 kilometres it passes through eight different counties and crosses the border between England and Wales over 20 times. The Trail explores the tranquil Marches (as the border region is known) and passes through the Brecon Beacons National Park on the spectacular Hatterall Ridge. In addition it links three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – the Wye Valley, the Shropshire Hills and the Clwydian Hills. The official website for the trail can be found at http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/offasdyke/ if you are interested in reading more about it.

I'll be posting updates here each day so please come back and visit often during my hike to see how things are going.

1 comment:

  1. Well good for you. Sounds like a blast I hope you have fun and raise some cash along the way.
    ....take me with you!

    So I guess at least one of the nights you get some TLC and some home style cooking no?

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