The area around Knighton in Powys is perfect walking country. Knighton is unique in Wales in that two National Trails meet here – Offa’s Dyke Path and Glyndwr’s Way. The accolade of two National Trails is just a small indication of the profusion of walking opportunities here.
Whether you want to potter along gentle paths and country lanes, nordic walk or strike out through the high country on Glyndwr’s Way you will find what you want here.
You can find maps for our Knighton Town Trail and Knighton Nature Trail plus many more walks here
Offa’s Dyke National Trail runs the length of the English-Welsh border for 177 miles (295km) from Sedbury Cliffs on the Severn Estuary (near Chepstow) to the North Wales resort of Prestatyn on Liverpool Bay. There are a number of circular walks around Knighton that follow the National Trail for part of their route, allowing you to see the Dyke itself and experience the glorious hills of Powys and South Shropshire. Packs are available from the Offa’s Dyke Centre featuring easy-to-follow maps and written route instructions.
For about 70 miles (116km) the Trail follows the course of the Eighth Century Offa’s Dyke earthwork. While not the longest National Trail, it is the most attractive and varied. The route crosses high moorland, wide, cultivated river valleys and ancient woodland. It passes through historic towns and isolated hamlets. Hill forts, castles, abbeys and surviving remains of former habitations can all be seen en route. The flora and fauna are as rich and as varied as the scenery.
Glyndwr’s Way National Trail was opened in 2002. Its enigmatic name derives from the early fifteenth century folk hero Owain Glyndwr, who won significant battles close to the route and who held a Welsh Parliament in Machynlleth. As with Offa’s Dyke Path there are circular walks around Knighton that follow the National Trail for part of their route, allowing you to have a ‘taster’ of the Way and inspiring Powys countryside. Packs are available from the Offa’s Dyke Centre.
Other long distance footpaths close to Knighton-
The Teme Valley Way follows the River Teme from its source above Knighton to its mouth into the Severn at Worcester
The Jack Mytton Way starts at Knucklas and runs to Wyre Forest near Bewdley, through the Shropshire Hills
The Elan Valley Way follows the aqueduct which carries water from the Elan Valley to Birmingham
The Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty starts at the eastern edge of Knighton and provides excellent walks and a wealth of wildlife. To really appreciate the beauty and magnificence of these hills get the early train on the Heart of Wales line to Church Stretton. Close by to Church Stretton is the ancient Long Mynd – 500 acres of heather and bilberry covered moorland, criss-crossed with more than 30 miles of footpaths and nearly 20 miles of cycle routes and bridleways. A Site of Special Scientific Interest, you will find the breathtaking views from its plateau exhilarating.
The Kerry Ridgeway starts between Knighton and Newtown, and leads to Bishop’s Castle. This relatively gentle 15 mile (25km) route through the dimpled hills of central Welsh Marches, walks through history from the Stone Age, via Bronze and Iron Age relics, to a Norman motte and bailey high above Bishop’s Castle. Walkers, horse-riders and cyclists can all legally use this route.
The Herefordshire Trail passes within 6 miles (10km) of Knighton. This long distance circular path links the five market towns of Leominster, Bromyard, Ledbury, Ross-on-Wye and Kington along with some of the picturesque villages and hamlets for which Herefordshire is renowned. The 150 mile (250km) route takes walkers through spectacular countryside enabling them to enjoy unequalled views across Herefordshire and neighbouring counties.
Knighton is easily reached by public transport, either the beautiful Heart of Wales train line from Shrewsbury to Swansea, or by bus, including the dedicated CastleConnect service linking Ludlow with the Shropshire Hills via Knighton.
