OFFA’S DYKE
(4 days riding)

Our driver will be at your nominated collection point at the pre-agreed time to load your team and all of their kit. When you arrive at camp near Prestatyn we cook you a hearty meal, run through the plan for your Offa’s Dyke adventure and then leave you and the team to rest up for the evening.

Offa’s Dyke path starts in the 390 km2 (151 mi2) Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, famed for its diverse inhabitants, from rare spotted birds to various reptiles. Leaving Prestatyn you gradually climb the Clwydian Way, passing the Y Graig nature reservewith its abundance of wildflowers and butterflies. Expect fantastic views over the Vale of Clwyd and beyond from under the Penycloddiau hillfort – one of the largest in Wales at the time at 21 hectares. Moel Famau is the halfway marker, leading to the ancient woodland of Penycloddiau hillfort which provides stunning views of the rural Welsh landscape. You then head through Llandegla Forest, under The Worlds End and along the banks of the Eglwyseg River. Dropping down to the Llangollen Canal, you discover the picturesque town of Llangollen.

After leaving Llangollen you snake out of the Dee valley towards Afon Tanat, where your path merges with the Montgomery Canal. You nip onto the Shropshire Way, continuing along the Montgomery Canal for an almost flat 35km (22mi) stretch, bumbling through the scenic market town of Welshpool to Abermule. Beyond is a 10km (6mi) climb that will truly test your cycling muscles as you mount the Shropshire Hills AONB. Cross the border and come to rest for an evening in the English countryside Clun.

Day 4 begins with a descent into Clun, past the castle ruins and out of the Shropshire Hills AONB. Here you join the Jack Mynton Way, the Offa’s Dyke Path proper, and Glyndwr’s Way before climbing to Radnor Forest and descending to New Radnor. Sleepy lanes, traffic free paths and rolling countryside see you through quaint villages such as Llanfihangel-nant-Melan and Llanbadarn-y-garre in the Edw Valley. The day ends with nearly 5km (3mi) of descent towards Glasbury.

The final ride of your Offa’s Dyke adventure sees you crossing the River Wye, scrambling upwards for 13km (8mi) beyond Glasbury, to the Brecon Beacons. Fantastic vistas of Twmpa (aka Lord Hereford’s Knob!) and Hay Bluff line your route. Soon you reach the Olchon Valley, hugging the Brecon Beacons, descending through the charming Llanvihangel Crucorney and Llanvetherine. You will pass the circa 1000 year old White Castle whose imposing position frames your winding route in and out of the Wye Valley. A particularly steep descent into Monmouth takes you toward the River Monnow and Monmouth Castle. You enter the Wye Valley AONB and follow the course of the Wye to Brockwell. Here is your final climb and a reward of a 10km (6mi) descent into Sedbury where our final luxurious camp and nourishing, freshly cooked meal of local treats awaits your weary bones!

Have a well-earned lie in on day six while we make you a hot cooked breakfast as unhealthy as you like! When you’re all packed up we’ll whisk you and your kit back home again.

If you would like to prolong your Offa’s Dyke adventure there are a couple of world class bike parks along the way that you could call in for a day or why not take half a day to do some paddling on the River Wye? Just get in touch via our Personalised Adventure page and we can talk through options to extend your stay and personalise any preplanned adventure.