Long Distance Walks, Paths and Ways

• Long Distance Walks, Paths and Ways
• Snowdon Circular Walk
• Offa's Dyke Path
• Cumbrian Way
• Tour du Mont Blanc
• Grand Tour of Monte Rosa
• The Costa Blanca Way
• ** How to book **

The Offas Dyke Path - The ODP

This is a long distance footpath through the border country of England and Wales. It is 170 miles long and goes from Prestatyn (on the northern shores of Wales close to where the river Dee flows into the Irish Sea at Liverpool Bay) to Sedbury Cliffs near Chepstow on the River Severn.
The path follows the line of the great dyke built by Offa  King of Mercia in the 8th Century to mark the western boundary of his kingdom in England and to control Welsh invasions into English territory. 1210 years later this great linear earth work, the longest in Bis still there more or less physically marking the boundary between England and Wales.
The ODP weaves its way along the Welsh English border using paths, ancient tracks and country lanes. Sometimes the path takes us through wild and remote superbly scenery and always linking together a chain of historic towns and ancient rural villages. These historical border towns and villages and the farm lands they serve are amongst the most ancient and unchanged parts of England and Wales. 

The walk is 170 miles long over lowland and hilly country with much to see. Taken at a reasonable pace of 6hours walking a day and completing 15+ miles a day it will take between 10 and 12 days walking. Walkabout offer this as both a continuous two week walk and alternatively for those who’d prefer to do it in separate sections  but walking further on each section we offer it as a series 3 x 3day weekends averaging 18+ miles a day.

Organisation of the Challenge Walk.

• The walk will be organised as an “Open Invitation Walk to take place in Late September early October 2010. We invite people who are interested in the possibility of doing the walk to get in touch. When we have a viable group of minimum of four to 8  people we will coordinate dates and preferences as to how to do the walk either a continuous fortnight or separate weekends. For more details see below.
• Individual walkers will do the walk as one of  a small group minimum group size 4 maximum 8..Each group will be accompanied by one of our qualified leaders. We will ask applicants to complete a questionnaire about their experience and level of fitness, and will invite them to join us for an introductory  weekend in Llanberis. At a mutually convenient date in late summer.

       The questionnaire is important and serves two purposes;

• It is evidence that the applicant is fit enough to either complete the walk.
• It enables us to establish groups of individuals of similar fitness who will be comfortable doing the walk together.

The  Weather. Equipment and Timing
The walk is over mixed lowland and hilly terrain, we hope for good weather but there is always the possibility of adverse conditions. However short range forecasts will tell us what to expect and we will plan accordingly. A clothing and equipment list will be provided in advance.

Accommodation and Food.
We will arrange appropriate accommodation within an agreed budget price using village inns and or guest houses hostels etc. (single rooms available at a small supplement may be available)
Everybody will carry their own food and drink for the day (we will recommend what we consider to be a good choice for keeping your energy levels high and remaining well hydrated). There will be opportunity to “refuel” at villages enroute.

Travel      
We will be doing the walk from North to South and will coordinate all transport requirements and arrangements once the group is established and the walking plan/format agreed.

Availability and Suitability
The walk is available and open to individuals and small groups for the dates to be agreed in October 2010.
At other times it is available by special arrangement for organised groups, corporate groups and others using the walk as a charitable fund raising activity.
This walk is suitable for walkers who are comfortable on moderate grade walks as described in our website - at Who Goes “fitness and walking grades” Walkers will do the route as a member of a small group and each group will be accompanied by one of our qualified leaders.  

Booking: How to join us on a walk.

To register your interest, enquire about availability and to make a provisional reservation simply email jim@walkaboutholidays.com

If there is availability we will advise accordingly and invite you to complete a questionnaire on your fitness and experience. If that’s ok you will be offered a place and be invited to complete the booking.

The price of of £135 per weekend or £475 if we do it as a continuous two week walk includes:

• A place on the walk and allocation to a suitable group. Initial advice and briefing and a celebratory social evening.
• Services of a qualified and experienced leader throughout the walk.
• Coordination and organisation of travel and accommodation
• Insurance with IGI Insurance Company Ltd protecting your deposit and subsequent final payment arising from cancellation or curtailment of holiday arrangements due to insolvency of Mountain Ventures Ltd.
• The price does not include the cost of travel, food or accommodation

Other Information

Further information of a general nature relative to the walk are to be found under “Other Information”  this includes ‘booking conditions’ which you are advised to read.

Specific information about the itinerary and any other details will be sent when we confirm our acceptance of your booking.

Any Questions email jim@walkaboutholidays.com or text/ring 07734038266