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England and Wales: Welsh Borders (5 nights)
Offa's Dyke and the Marches
Back to Routes
Taking a breather south of Knighton
Misty morning (photo: Nigel Sheath)
Clun Castle (photo: Pixabay)
Approaching Clun (photo: Peter Evans - cc-by-sa/2.0)
Hay-on-Wye - Wales' book town
Glorious bluebells in Park Wood
Offa's Dyke before Kington
Tea and cake at Clun after the walk
The Teme valley near Knighton
St Mary's Church at Newchurch
A wintry day on Hergest Ridge (photo: Nigel Sheath)
Cottages in Kington (photo: Des Blenkinsopp - cc-by-sa/2.0)
Hay-on-Wye looks onto the river (photo: Eric Pugh - cc-by-sa/2.0)
At a glance
Welsh Borders 5-night option (4 days walking). Add extra nights in any town (Bishop's Castle and Hay-on-Wye recommended). See 'Prices' tab for what's included.
Suggested route pairing: Dorset, Devon or Peak District
How much walking?
Full days: 16-26km per day, 4-7 hrs walking
Using shortening options: 13-18km per day, 3½-4½ hrs walking using luggage taxis to shorten two longer days
The best walking on the Border
Offa’s Dyke, the 80 mile long earthwork for centuries marking the border between England and Wales, follows a route which makes best use of the topography, running along ridge tops between (formerly) fortified valley towns. The result is some splendidly scenic walking. In the section that we have chosen for our walking, the first two walking days are a gentle introduction, while the final two (at 22km and 26km respectively) will shake out decisively any cobwebs (though we offer shortening options too).
Less well known than the Dyke are the pretty little Marcher towns, settled around a castle to police the sometimes unruly frontier. Bishop’s Castle, Clun, Knighton, Kington and Hay-on-Wye are all historic, charming and friendly, with excellent eating and drinking in pubs and restaurants.
Our choice of Hay-on-Wye as the destination for this walk needs no apologies. Its world famous annual literary festival is matched by an astonishing number of independent second-hand bookshops of all sizes, giving limitless browsing opportunities for the walking booklover. The owners will send home your serendipitous finds anywhere in the world, unless you can’t resist taking your cherished volume down to the banks of the gentle River Wye for a lazy afternoon in the sun.
Walked by On Foot staff: Simon, Debbie, Fi
Consider pairing this route with Dorset (5 hrs transfer by bus and train), Devon (4½ hrs) or Peak District (6 hrs) – for more details click here.
REVIEWS: For independent walker reviews submitted to the Association of Independent Tour Operators visit Aito.com.
Watch our short film about the Welsh Borders walk, through rolling hills, welcoming villages, to the book town of Hay-on-Wye:
Route Highlights
- Offa’s Dyke, marking the 8th century border between England and Wales
- The planned towns of Bishop’s Castle and Clun
- The world famous literary town of Hay-on-Wye
- Spectacular unspoilt and little-known hill country
This route features the following characteristics and interests: Remote, Villages and farms, Archaeology, Birdwatching, History
Things you should know
- This route is difficult to access by public transport, so we will pick you up from the train station on arrival (included). There are good buses at the end from Hay-on-Wye to Hereford, or take a taxi.
We Recommend
Extra nights along the route, particularly at Bishop's Castle and Hay-on-Wye - the latter a must for the booklover.
How much Walking?
Using shortening options: 13-18km per day, 3½-4½ hrs walking using luggage taxis to shorten two longer days
Well marked national trails in the main. Highest point on route 450m. Generally easy underfoot.
Medium-hard: Average Cumulative Uphill Stretches (CUSs) 750m per day.
Medium: CUSs 665m per day using shortening options on final two days; further shortening possible by arrangement.
Acrophobia/vertigo warnings: None.
On Foot Holidays Companion app available from 2025, for GPS navigation/mapping and all other documentation and advice. Separate GPX files for your own device also available.
Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.
When to go?
The best months to walk: late April, May, June, September, October
Other possible months: March, early April, July, August, November
This route is bookable throughout the spring, summer and autumn, though not during the Hay Festival period in late May/early June. Avoid the summer holidays if possible (but we can always try for you); summer weekends may necessitate a two night stay in some accommodations.
Start Dates
Weather Chart
Temperature and rainfall chart for Knighton
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Bishop's Castle
Settle into your lodgings, have a look around this historic town and consider tomorrow's walk over a drink before supper.
Day 2 - Bishop's Castle to Clun
Not a long day, but a hard one by virtue of a very stiff uphill, on a blend of the Shropshire Way and Offa’s Dyke long distance paths. Our route goes from castle to castle, passing through a rural landscape with some far reaching views across the central part of the day, before winding down gently to the river at Clun. (Medium-hard: 4½ hrs walking (allow 6 hrs), 18½ km (11 miles), CUS 750m).
Alternative: Lift (pre-arranged, supplement) to Clun to do an easier circular walk from there – 13.5km (8.5 miles), CUS 360m
Day 3 - Clun to Knighton
Leaving Clun, rise above its valley – some quiet asphalt walking allowing you to eat up the kms – before being reunited with Offa’s Dyke and (via a wicked climb) a glorious, view-filled fin du jour entry into Knighton, heart of Offa country. (Medium-hard: 4 hrs walking (allow 5¼ hrs), 15½ km (9¼ miles), CUSs 610m)
Alternative: Lift (pre-arranged, supplement) to Llanfair Hill (Easy-medium: 2½ hrs walking (allow 3¼ hrs), 9½ km (6 miles), CUSs 300m)
Day 4 - Knighton to Kington
A day of ups and downs criss-crossing the English/Welsh border from golf course to golf course! The route takes in hilltops with wide views across a predominantly rural landscape (more sheep than you could ever imagine) and meandering river valleys, never far from Offa’s Dyke. (Hard: 5¾ hrs walking (allow 7¾ hrs), 21½ km (13½ miles), CUSs 820m)
Alternative: Lift (pre-arranged, supplement) to start at Dolley Green (Medium: 3½ hrs walking (allow 4¾ hrs), 13 km (8 miles), CUSs 600m)
Day 5 - Kington to Hay-on-Wye
A long but majestic final day, starting west along the mighty Hergest Ridge to tiny Gladestry, before the path turns south to cross the little River Arrow at Newchurch. One more bump to scale, then a gentle descent to the Wye valley and your triumphant entry into Hay-on-Wye. (Hard: 6 hrs walking (allow 8 hrs), 25 km (15½ miles, CUS 830m).
Alternative: Take a lift with the luggage (small supplement) as far as Gladestry, avoiding Hergest (Medium: 4½ hrs walking (allow 6 hrs), 17 km (10½ miles), CUS 510m)
Depart for home
…. or far better, opt to spend an extra night in this famous little town to explore the bookshops and just relax.
Travel Information
ARRIVING BY TRAIN
Nearest railway station:
Start: Craven Arms, then 20 minute taxi to start (included)
Finish: Hereford station by bus (1 hr) from Hay-on-Wye (or order a taxi through your accommodation, pay locally)
ARRIVING BY BUS
Start: Regular buses from Shrewsbury (on national bus routes) to Bishop’s Castle (1 hr)
Finish: Regular buses from Hay-on-Wye to Hereford (on national bus routes) (1 hr)
ARRIVING BY CAR
Due to the shape of the route and the inadequacy of public transport between finish and start, coming by car is not recommended. However, long stay parking (6 days max) is possible in Hay-on-Wye (pay locally), with a taxi from there to the start of the route.
ARRIVING BY AIR
The best “local” airports are Cardiff, Bristol or Birmingham. Intercontinental flights use London airports or Manchester.
BRISTOL, BIRMINGHAM or CARDIFF AIRPORTS
Land by: 16:00 for shuttle + train to Craven Arms (~2 hrs)
Return flight earliest: 16:00 for train connections from Hereford
HEATHROW AIRPORT
Land by: 14:00 for shuttle to Reading + train to Craven Arms (~3 hrs)
Return flight earliest: 16:00 for train connections from Hereford
MANCHESTER AIRPORT
Land by: 16:00 for shuttle + train to Craven Arms (~2½ hrs)
Return flight earliest: 16:30 for train connections from Hereford
Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.
For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.
Getting to the start of the walk
See above for advice on transfers to and from your walk. All arrivals into Craven Arms train station include a 20 min taxi to the first hotel in Bishop’s Castle. From the last hotel in Hay-on-Wye, take a bus to Hereford train station (1 hr) or order a taxi through your accommodation (pay locally).
For pre-bookable taxi prices see “Prices”.
Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.
Where You'll Stay
Accommodation throughout the route consists mainly of B&Bs or pubs-with-rooms, varying in sophistication. Upgrades are available throughout the route.
Please note: walkers bringing dogs may not be able to do all route versions (check the tabs at the top of the screen) or have the same choice of accommodation. For this version, walkers with dogs require changes of accommodation in Bishop’s Castle, Kington and Hay-on-Wye.
Night 1
Bishop’s Castle – The Castle Hotel (B&B)
Old established hotel at the top of the town, with garden and views.
Night 1 (Upgrade)
Bishop’s Castle – Bank House (B&B)
Lovely house with large rooms, south facing terrace and garden. Homemade, bread, marmalade etc for breakfast! 2 night stays mandatory at weekends.
Night 3
Knighton – Horse and Jockey (B&B)
Bustling pub catering for walkers. Hearty pub grub for those with tired feet, too!
Night 4
A fine old inn (with good restaurant) under new ownership that promises much for the future.
Night 5
Hay-on-Wye – Rest for the Tired (B&B)
Lovely B&B in a 17th century building, with a warm welcome and great breakfasts. And a bookshop downstairs!
Bishop’s Castle – The Castle Hotel (B&B)
Old established hotel at the top of the town, with garden and views.
Website
Bishop’s Castle – Bank House (B&B)
Former bank manager's house with large rooms, south facing terrace and garden.
Website
Knighton – Horse and Jockey (B&B)
Bustling pub catering for walkers. Hearty pub grub for those with tired feet, too!
Website
Kington – The Swan (B&B)
A fine old inn (with good restaurant) under new ownership that promises much for the future.
Website
Kington – Burton Hotel (B&B)
Traditional hotel with friendly service and indoor pool (and modern extension at the rear).
Website
Hay-on-Wye – Rest for the Tired (B&B)
Lovely B&B in a 17th century building, with a warm welcome and great breakfasts. And a bookshop downstairs!
Website
Hay-on-Wye – Seven Stars (B&B)
A former pub converted into a friendly B&B - with an indoor swimming pool!
Website
We can also offer The Swan at Hay (below), an independent hotel in a Georgian building with a good choice of rooms and facilities.
Prices
Total 5 nights in double/twin room, all breakfasts, lift from Craven Arms railway station to Bishop’s Castle, luggage transfers between all hotels on walking route; full Walkers’ Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support.
Also included: On Foot Holidays Companion app (from 2025), providing navigation/mapping and digital version of the Walkers’ Pack as above. Separate GPX files for your own device also available. If choosing to walk with app only (no printed materials): Discount of £40 per pack (based on one pack per room) from 2025.
All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.
Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £275
Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From £170
Large Party Saving (LPS): Groups of more than 2 people (on an identical itinerary, on the same booking and booked at the same time) – discount of at least £15 per person
Maximum party size: 8
Add Ons
Upgrade accommodation possible on some nights: Contact On Foot.
Extra nights in any hotel: Contact On Foot Holidays
Taxi from Shrewsbury to Bishop’s Castle: Call us for details.
Taxi from Hay-on-Wye to Hereford: Around £60 through Blue Line Taxis, payable locally – ask us for details.
Sending Walkers’ Packs to addresses outside the UK: £20-£60 (per pack, location dependent)
Our local team
Sarah Price
Sarah is a qualified lowland walk leader, and leads walks as a profession with her own business, Walk Hay, specialising in working with those who may have difficulty walking by themselves, or be nervous of doing so for many reasons. She loves to share her passion with as many people as possible and introduce them to the stunning countryside in her part of the world on the Welsh/English border.
