Offa's Dyke | Buttington Bridge to Llanymynech at Y Trallwng | Welshpool

Offa’s Dyke Path is a 177 mile (285 Km) long walking trail. It is named after, and often follows, the spectacular Dyke 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.

The Trail passes through many different types of landscape. The upland stretches in the Brecon Beacons and Clwydian Range can be hard going in poor weather or visibility. The flattest stretch is the section which largely follows the River Severn and the Montgomeryshire Canal. Elsewhere it is largely a case of gentle ups and downs.

The Buttington Bridge to Llanymynech section of the Offa's Dyke National Trail starts at Buttington Bridge where you meet the River Severn, from where it is a short walk into Welshpool.

This section is a transitional stage between the hills and almost flat throughout. The Trail follows stretches of the Montgomeryshire Canal and the River Severn before reaching the town of Llanymynech where the Wales – England border is the main street!

The main landmark viewed over the River Severn from the Trail is that of the Breidden Hills, with Rodney’s Pillar on its summit. The monument was built by the gentlemen of Montgomeryshire who supplied the oak wood from the area and shipped them down the River Severn to Bristol where Admiral Rodney’s naval fleet was built. Parts of this section are prone to flooding during very wet periods so checking for Environment Agency flood warnings is advisable.

The Trail joins the Montgomery Canal for a number of stretches. The canal was originally used to transport lime to improve the farmland of the Severn Valley. While in Llanymynech, a visit to the heritage area with its Hoffman Kiln, the best preserved of its kind, is well worth it.