Offa's Dyke Path

城市概覽

Offa's Dyke Path is a popular walking route through the border regions of England and Wales. The dyke itself (Clawdd Offa in Welsh) has partially disappeared in places, although in the parts where it is preserved, it's about 20 m wide and 2.5 m high. In particular, there is an 80 mi (130 km) section between the Wye Valley and Wrexham where the Dyke is easily seen. The route is approximately 177 mi (285 km) in length, and takes between 12 and 14 days. The path was inaugurated in 1971 and thousands of people walk the route each year. Much of the history of the Dyke is based on some speculation, but it is named after Offa, King of Mercia between 757 and 796 AD. It's believed that construction was started around 785 AD but it's not known if the Dyke represented an agreed border or a defensive structure. However, some sections still form the England/Wales border more than twelve centuries later. Relations between the Welsh and the English haven't always been comfortable. To quote George Borrow in Wild Wales: "It was customary for the English to cut off the ears off every Welshman found east of the dyke, and for the Welsh to hang every Englishman whom they found to the west of it." Thankfully it's more civil these days. There is much variety in the route, passing as it does through historic towns such as Knighton, Kington, Hay-on-Wye and Monmouth, some wide river valleys, moorlands, remote villages and woodlands. The route passes near old forts and castles, including famous ruins such as Tintern Abbey near Chepstow. All of Offa's Dyke Path follows legally defined Rights of Way for all walkers and is clearly signed with an acorn symbol. Some, but not all, sections are also available for horseriders and cyclists.

如何抵達

The south trailhead is at Sedbury Cliffs, near Chepstow. The train station at Chepstow is about 2 mi (3.2 km) from the trailhead where there is a commemorative marker, about a mile east of Chepstow on the east side of the River Wye. The north trailhead is at Prestatyn which is 0.3 mi (0.48 km) from the train station. After backpacking all the nineteen (2017) British National Trails, mostly wild camping and this one twice. This trail has got to be walked south to north. Maps go this way and the worst terrain is met near the end, when the backpacker is fitter. Also at Sedbury is one marker in a field where as at Pestatyn there is a bustling seaside resort, markers and at least a tempting paddle in the sea.

順遊推薦

If the Offa's Dyke Path has whetted your appetite for long distance walking, consider the Clwydian Way. This 122 mi (196 km) circle route connects at Prestatyn and Llangollen. The route south from Prestatyn to Llangollen intertwines with the Offa's Dyke Path.

The Wales Coast Path (Welsh: Llwybr Arfordir Cymru) intersects with both the start and the finish of Offa's Dyke Path and offers a 870 mi (1,400 km) long dedicated footpath along the entire coastline of Wales – the first country in the world to provide such an opportunity. This path runs through eleven nature reserves. Either at the beginning or the end of your hike, a visit to Bath, Bristol or Cardiff would be worthwhile.