Offa's Dyke Path, Wat's Dyke Way and the Maelor Way

Sep 28 2009 By Chester Chronicle

Offa's Dyke is a route through the border country of England and Wales, from the Severn estuary to the Irish Sea via Knighton, Welshpool and Llangollen. Around 100km/60 miles of the route is alongside the 8th century earthwork of Offa's Dyke itself. There are a variety of beautiful landscapes including the limestone cliffs of the lower Wye valley, rolling farmlands, the Black Mountains, Shropshire Hills, Clywdian Hills and moorlands.

Offa’s Dyke Path was opened in the summer of 1971, linking Sedbury Cliffs near Chepstow on the banks of the Severn estuary with the coastal town of Prestatyn on the shores of the Irish Sea. It is named after, and often follows, the spectacular dyke which King Offa ordered to be constructed in the 8th century, probably to divide his Kingdom of Mercia from rival kingdoms in what is now Wales. In its 177 miles/285 kilometres it passes through no less than eight different counties and crosses the border between England and Wales over 20 times. The trail explores the tranquil Marches (as the border region is known) and passes through the Brecon Beacons National Park and also three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Although people have been rumoured to complete Offa’s Dyke Path in four days, more typically two weeks is about right for the whole journey. Of course, many people choose to complete only short sections in day trips or to complete the whole trail over many weeks, months or years! There are regular places to stay, eat, and drink in the vicinity of the trail and public transport is available to key points.

The section within Wrexham has perhaps the most impressive structure on the entire route: Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. The longest and highest aqueduct in Britain, it is a Grade I Listed Building and is currently awaiting confirmation of World Heritage status.

Wat's Dyke is a 40 mile earthwork running through the northern Welsh Marches from Maesbury in Shropshire, passing to the east of Oswestry and on to Basingwerk Abbey on the River Dee estuary in Flintshire. It runs generally parallel to Offa's Dyke, sometimes within a few yards but never more than three miles away. Nearly ten years in the planning, the 61 mile/99 kilometre Wat’s Dyke Way follows the earthwork as closely as possible and runs through pastoral countryside close to the Welsh border between Llanymynech and Holywell. It is now open, waymarked and a guidebook to the trail has been published.

The trail enters Wrexham southwest of Overton, crossing the River Dee at Overton Bridge. The route then goes cross-country to join the Dyke south of Ruabon. It passes through an area with a rich industrial heritage going back to the industrial revolution and beyond. Directly south of Wrexham is the National Trust property of Erddig Hall. The route then passes through Wrexham town taking in the grave of Elihu Yale, founder of Yale University.

North of Wrexham, the route returns to pastoral countryside going via a deep valley to the Alyn Waters Country Park and on to the twin villages of Hope and Caergwrle in Flintshire. There are many links with other promoted routes, and there is a separate circular route that explores Ruabon’s Iron Age hill fort.

The Maelor Way

Whether you're a regular rambler or a seasonal stroller, the Maelor Way can offer you enjoyable walking for an hour, a day or more. Centred on the rural southeast corner of Wrexham County Borough, the 24 mile long Maelor Way meanders gently through three counties.

It links six long-distance paths: the Sandstone Trail, South Cheshire Way, Marches Way and the Shropshire Way in the east with Offa's Dyke National Trail and the Ceiriog Valley Walk in the Wrexham/Shropshire Borderland to the west. The Maelor Way uses public footpaths, bridleways, quiet lanes and canal towpath to pass from Grindley Brook through unspoiled undulating countryside to Bronygarth in the shadow of Chirk Castle.

If you're looking for rolling farmland with distant views to the Berwyn Mountains or the Cheshire Plain, steep wooded river valleys, the placid and picturesque Hanmer Mere, little-changed villages and hamlets and even a bit of the Llangollen Canal towpath, the Maelor Way is for you.

Though the Maelor Way passes through sparsely populated rural areas, it is possible with careful planning to reach several access points by public transport, giving the opportunity to walk sections without retracing your steps. Alternatively, there are networks of cross paths and lanes for those who prefer finding circular routes. The Way passes through, or close to, Bronington, Hanmer, Penley, Overton and Chirk and their general stores and public houses should be able to provide refreshments.