Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail offers a huge diversity of landscapes, from challenging upland sections to wildlife-rich lowland stretches. This particular section, roughly Oswestry to Llangollen, is one of the less physically demanding sections but it does offer three key attractions: clear, well-defined sections of the dyke itself, crossing the English-Welsh border several times over, and – in keeping with the ongoing bid for World Heritage status – a dramatic conclusion at an existing Unesco-listed site. Surfing the top of the dyke with views of the Ceiriog Valley, a brush with the dead on the fringe of Chirk Castle and a final, triumphant stride across the highest navigable aqueduct ever built add lots of historic colour and interest to this heritage-rich walk.
[1] From Oswestry Old Racecourse (SJ256303) head north, joining the minor road at a junction marked Oswestry (SJ258310). Follow the Selattyn road for 1,200m, with the dyke running parallel, and turn right at the junction marked Carreg-y-big (SJ252323). Leave the road and cross the stile, taking a left turn along the dyke towards and then past the western flank of Selattyn Hill (SJ251341).
[2] On approaching the B4579 near Craignant veer right, then sharp left to descend into the valley to rejoin the dyke. Cling to the dyke now for a mile or so, crossing stiles and small streams, but always keeping the dyke to your left. Ride the crest of the dyke (SJ259370) before crossing farmland to meet the Shropshire border (SJ264375) and descend into the hamlet of Castle Mill (SJ263376), where you meet the B4500.
[3] To visit Chirk Castle, divert right from the path at Castle Mill (SJ263376) and follow the seasonal permissive path for ¾-mile. This waymarked route rejoins the National Trail at [4] at Tyn-y-groes (open April to September).
Alternatively, the official trail, open year-round, swings left around the western flank of the estate for one mile, with a fine view of Chirk Castle (SJ257384). Emerging from woodland, bear right and follow the path, turning right at Tyn-y-groes.
[4] This three-mile section heads northeast along waymarked set of kissing gates across farmland. After crossing the A5 on your right, you are on the last section of the dyke in this walk heading north, with the village of Trevor looming on the horizon. After reaching the B5605, turn left to follow the Llangollen Canal towpath (SJ285407) for one mile to the swing footbridge at Froncysyllte.
[5] Do not cross the swing bridge but continue on the towpath for the dramatic climax of the walk: a ¾-mile crossing of the River Dee via the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (SJ270421) (you might want to hold onto the rail at the side).
Do stop to marvel at the views and at Thomas Telford’s civil engineering masterpiece.
Continue to the Trevor Basin – a good spot to stop for a cup of tea amongst the narrow boats on a fine day – and then exit the car park, turning left on the B5434 to rejoin the canal towpath.
[6] The final section (not on the National Trail) is a gentle, four-mile saunter along the towpath to Llangollen, descending Wharf Hill to walk into town across its historic bridge.