• More Information Offa's Dyke Path South - Harvey Map Landranger Map 148 National Trail Guides - Offa's Dyke Kington - Centre for Walking Offa's Dyke Centre, Knighton Offa's Dyke - Part 2

Walking from the River Lugg near Discoed I planned to walk one way southwards to Hay-on-Wye for a return lift home with friends.  I had not seen Offa's Dyke before, but on seeing it for the first time I was impressed by the artificial structure constructed soon after 784 AD.  "The formidable King Offa..... ordered the great rampart to be built between the Welsh and Mercia from sea to sea".  The day for the walk was very wet indeed and I thanked my Paramo for keeping me dry on this long excursion of about 23 miles.  From Discoed the interest is held by the proximty of the dyke, and even in the poor weather I was preoccupied with thoughts about the rampart's history and the organisation required to build it 1200 years ago.  I walked through Granner Wood and then on and down to Old Burfa before crossing into England for the walk to Kington over Herrock, Rushock and Bradnor Hills (the latter of which is the location for England's highest golf course ).  After a welcome coffee at the Swan Hotel in Kington (apologies for the puddle on the floor by the way!) I walked westwards up onto Hergest Ridge to the highest point on today's walk at 417m asl.  From Hergest the route turned southwards after passing through the pleasant village of Gladestry nestling at the foot of precipitous yewtree Bank.  The next target being Newchurch the rain respited for a while and I caught up with a fellow walker, David Grundy.  I spoke to david for a while before taking lunch on the chapel wall in Newchurch.  The walking, across undulating hills, wasn't severe and before long I caught up with David as he descended Bettws Dingle towards the Wye Valley.  The last hurdle of the walk was a mile or so walking over the river flood plain before entering Hay-on-Wye over the new road bridge.  I turned right into Hay and walked straight into the Rose and Crown for a well earned pint whilst once more leaving a puddle on the floor (from my kit I hasten to add!).  It had been a great walk despite the rain and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a longer walk with less of a physical challenge amidst rolling hills.

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