Offa’s Dyke is a defensive earthwork built by King Offa of Mercia (757-796 A.D.)
The Offa’s Dyke Path (ODP) is a long distance footpath, one of Britain’s National Trails, which runs from Sedbury, near Chepstow, to Prestatyn in North Wales. The total trail is 177 mile long but ‘only’ about 70 miles is actually on/along side remains of the earthwork and the section which runs through the amazingly beautiful Welsh Marches is where the dyke is really well preserved.
Many other paths join or cross ODP and it is really easy to devise interesting circular walks.
The section described below is a 6.75 mile linear walk. We walked it from Knighton going North but the direction really doesn’t matter, the views are amazing. Our start was from the main A488 at Five Turnings as there is a nice wide verge to leave a car. An old track leads up and onto the ridge past a thin Larch plantation. Just as you take in the amazing views across Knucklas and far beyond you will stumble across the Dyke. So turn right and follow the well sign posted path.
As you traverse the steep slope on the narrow track past the small wood you will encounter two stiles. There are no provisions for dogs but both have opportunities for a ‘dive under the fence’ maneuver so that’s what we (well, the dogs) did.
Next a short gentle climb to the trig on the top of Cwm-sanaham Hill. If you hadn’t noticed the views by now here you are served with a truly breathtaking 360.
When you can drag yourself away, turn your back on the trig and head down the hill, at first gently but soon getting steeper. If you look across the valley ahead of you, you can clearly see the line of the dyke rise up on the other side with its distinctive gorse covering.
Pass through the sheep yard and past the charming white cottage (Brynorgan) and follow the track to the road. After just a few steps left, turn right off the road up the track (by Selley Hall). The path rises between the gorse along an easy to follow track.
You cross a grassy slope, look out for the distinctive plough marks (you may have to look back behind you). Then cross the footbridge into the most delightful little wooded area. The dogs enjoyed the stream even though it didn’t have much water in it. It was obvious that it sometimes has more. After crossing another foot bridge you come to another small lane. Leave the road directly ahead at Garbett Hall and go up the track.
There is a nice steady climb across Llanfair Hill ahead of you. There is a footpath directly on the dyke on this stretch but far better to take the track along side. Why add to the erosion and also you get much better views of its magnificence, no stiles and relatively easy even walking. You are joined by the Jack Mytton long distance bridleway from the direction of Lloney from the left.
The dyke runs to the right of you, first quite close, then a little further away but it allows for some great views of it. You will pass a trig over in the field to your left. If you look over the dyke into the far distance on a clear day, you will see the familiar shapes of Corndon, Shelve Wood, Black Rhadley, the Stiperstones and of course the Long Mynd.
Eventually you veer right following the direction of the dyke, and join a tarmac road. Go past a quarry on the left, it really can do with a clear up! Sad to see on such a lovely walk. At the Spoad Hill cross roads turn right and you’ll soon see the dyke again very clearly on the left in the plantation. Look right at this point and you’ll see a prime example of why the dyke hasn’t survived in so many places. Even the road cuts straight across it.
Turn left opposite Springhill Farm, just past the wood and then its just a short stretch down the track and out through the farm yard at Lower Spoad where we left a car in the lay-by. You will pass a Defra interpretation board with details about the environmentally sensitive farming scheme in operation in this area. It needs a good clean.
On a fair day, this walk offers some superb views of a magnificent monument and the ancient landscape it runs through.
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