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Itinerary:
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Day 1
Chepstow: Travel to start point. Reasonable connections from
London via coach or train, around 2.5-3 hours. Or slightly slower
ones from the Midlands via Shrewsbury. If you arrive early enough
you could start the walk (which
actually starts at Sedbury
Cliffs to the south of Chepstow) and save yourself 2 miles tomorrow.
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Day 2 Chepstow
to Redbrook (14 miles / 22.5
km) The
route starts from the mud flats
of the River Severn at Sedbury.
Join the Wye Valley with great views of Chepstow with its Norman
Castle. The way climbs high above the Wye Valley with views then
down to Tintern Abbey.
You can really marvel at the meandering
river, the cliffs and the little
settlements. Eventually descend to Redbrook, a 19th
century industrial village.
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Day 3 Redbrook
to Llanvetherine (16
miles / 26 km)
climb up to “naval temple” for one of the best views of the
entire route. Head down to Monmouth for a mid morning pint or a
coffee, crossing the 13th century gatehouse bridge. Next climb
through boggy King’s Wood and then cross the Trothy River. The
countryside becomes quite domesticated. The views to the north are
dominated by the
shapes of Skirrid and Sugfarloaf Hills. Another pause and a pint
might be worthwhile in Llantillo Crosseny village with its fine 13th
century church. The village pub has features dating from
the 15th century. The
next stop is White Castle a 12th century Norman Castle
built to protect the route from Monmouth into Wales. It is in a
picture book setting with intact walls and a little moat around it.
Another mile brings you into Llanvetherine.
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Day 4
Llanvetherine to Longtown (11 miles / 17 km) The trail continues
via Llangattock-Lingoed and Pandy where we at last leave the lowland
farms and rivers and climb up onto the Hatterrall Ridge and into the
Black Mountains. The ridge in the main follows the border of England
and Wales and the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Spectacular views all around in good weather. After a few miles
along the ridge you will need to drop down to your nice farm
accommodation in the Olchon Valley. Sometimes it might be necessary
to walk a bit further on to the village of Longtown itself for
accommodation which will make this day a bit longer but day 5
shorter.
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Day 5 Olchon
Cottage (Long town) to Hay on Wye
(11.5 miles / 18.50 kms). Morning steep ascent to regain
the Hatterrall Ridge and then over
the Cats Back and up to the highest
point to the path near Red Darren at
2306 feet (703m). The ridge ends at Hay Bluff, a great
northerly viewpoint towards Hay and the Wye Valley, the Hills of
Radnorshire and also the Black Mountains to the west and parts of
the Brecon Beacons. Next drop off the
ridge and stroll
via a set of
five kissing
gates into Hay on Wye, the capital of the second hand
book trade. The town with
its 12th century Keep was the
site of the
Anglo – Welsh power
struggles in the 13th xcentury.
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Day 6
Hay on Wye to Kington
(14.5 miles /23.5 kms)
Crossing the River Wye, today’s walk rises into the Radnorshire
Hills. The walking undulates past sites of Roman encampments until
you reach Glades try maybe for a lunchtime pub break. Don’t drink
too much though, for the last
few miles today you have to
climb up and walk along the Hergest
Ridge amongst thyme, gorse and Welsh ponies. Eventually drop down to
Kington, actually situated in Herefordshire with 13th
century church and the parallel lanes and long back gardens that may
preserve the pattern of the strips in the former open field system.
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Day 7
Kington to Knighton (13 .5 miles/ 22 kms ) Some say this
is the finest day’s walk of the whole path, with Offa’s Dyke as
your constant companion. First pass the highest golf course in
England on Bradnor Hill. The trail then undulates spectacularly, but
is never too steep. Beautiful westward panoramas open up across the
Radnor Valley. On a
clear day you get views of 30 miles in each direction, over both the
Brecon Beacons and The Malverns. The route finally climbs over a
hill called Ffridd, before descending very steeply to Knighton
(town of the horsemen) or Tref y Clawdd in Welsh (Town on the
Dyke) as the town is on The Shropshire / Powys border. It is a very
busy little market town. The market place has mainly 17th
century shops and enough general entertainment to keep you amused
for an evening
Day
8: End of tour! After breakfast head off perhaps on the
delightful Border Railway. |