JAN25: Offa's Dyke Part 15: Four Crosses to Pool Quay
7 people attending
13 places left
This is the fifteenth in a series of day walks along the Offa's Dyke Path - the idea was to reach the English border in stages, but now we shall be invading England. Light the beacons!
Leaving Four Crosses we head South almost immediately onto the Offa's Dyke Path with Breidden Hill and it's basalt quarry dominating the view ahead. While the path stays mostly on higher mounds through the fields there's frequent evidence of the recurring floods in this area when the RIver Severn bursts its banks.
Offa's Dyke Path merges with the Severn Way when we reach the river itself as it bends West towards Shrewsbury, whereas we continue upstream South along the Tirymynach Embankment, following alongside the longest river in the UK.
At Pool Quay we will cross the A483 and nipping uphill to the Montgomery Canal, leaving both Offa's Dyke Path and the Severn Way as the group heads back to the North along the towpath. This unnavigable stretch of canal is home to a large variety of wildlife (we even spotted a kingfisher!) and is steadily being restored to its former glory.
This walk is roughly 18 km/11 miles, and is mostly flat on grassy/muddy footpath or canal towpath. There is very little ascent or descent, and the moderate difficulty is due to the length.
Well-behaved OutdoorDogs are very welcome but please ensure they are adequately prepared for all conditions just as much as you are. Note: Leads will be required in areas with livestock, and we will be crossing stiles frequently.
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Photos provided by event leader with permission for use on other ODL events.
What to bring
Hand sanitiser and a face covering: whilst we are living with Covid-19, please bring your own to events to help keep everyone safe
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking, trainers are OK if the ground is dry and there’s little chance of rain
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: ideally no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch unless otherwise stated
Food & drink
You'll need to bring a packed lunch with you, along with enough water to keep you hydrated during the walk (recommended 1-2 litres).