What's on Offa? - Offa's Dyke Path - Part II, Chepstow to Monmouth

On Saturday 5th June I set off on my journey, catching the train to Chepstow with plans of hiking the Offa's Dyke Path south to north on the year of it's 50th birthday.
This film is the second instalment of my journey seeing me leave Chepstow behind and put in the first good days hiking along the trail, clocking up 18.5 miles.
My plan was to arrive on the Saturday and just tick off a few miles in the afternoon and then do the rest in a further 10 days. You will find out how I got on if you watch the films.
All I will tell you is that I had amazing weather throughout and it is blooming hilly.
A map of todays section of the ODP can be found at explore.osmaps...
Finally, I don't get paid to do these videos, I make them because I enjoy doing so and they make for great memories to look back on in years to come. However if you enjoy them and want to say thank you with a small tip, you can do so at buymeacoffee.c...
The contribution may go on a hot drink or a lager, but most likely it will be saved for future adventures to put to film.

[@graemer3657]

By Bigsweir bridge, as a child, I remember Polish scouts marching and camping. Their parents came to the UK in the late 40s and 50s, and they bought a house as a scouting centre nearby.
Seemed incredible in the 70s to see gangs of scouts marching, singing Polish songs, and carrying old Polish flags.

[@pipes-hikes]

Interesting to hear. I guess that would be something that wasn’t seen often in them days.

[@alanwetherelt7155]

Looks a wonderful walking area , we did the Cotswolds way in a series of roundish walks looks ideal for doing the same

[@pipes-hikes]

Yes you could easily do that in most areas I think. Cotswold Way is another I like the look of, though my list is ever growing…

[@KatherinePriddyOfficial]

Hiya! I'm planning on walking Offa's Dyke with my dad and these videos are proving very useful. He's an old chap now, but really, really wants to do it, so we're going to be doing it bit by bit every now and then, rather than all at once over a couple of weeks. I was just wondering whether you think this part could be broken down into an 11/12ish mile stretch, as I think 18 miles will be too much for him? Is there a suitable village or town around that mark where we could stop that part of the walk, and pick it up again next time? Hope you don't mind me asking. Cheers x

[@pipes-hikes]

Hi Katherine. I don't mind at all, however I'm not a local to the area so I'm not sure exactly how much help I will be, but... the only option I could really see would be to stop off at Tintern.
As far as the trail goes, it would only be around 7 miles from Chepstow but then would be roughly another mile into Tintern. An excuse to spend the afternoon visiting Tintern Abbey maybe though? That would then make it around 12 miles from Tintern to Monmouth the next day.
What might be advisable if you use Facebook is nipping on there and searching for the Offa's Dyke Path group, plenty of people that have hiked it and that are locals on there too it seems.
Good luck with it and feel free to ask if you need anything else x

[@KatherinePriddyOfficial]

@@pipes-hikes thanks for getting back to me, very kind. I've been having a look at some maps and guides and I think we'll stop at Bigsweir Bridge and get the bus back to Chepstow in time for a pint. Then we'll have a clear starting point for when we do the next leg to Monmouth, and it seems to split it nicely in half. Very much looking forward to it! Appreciate the advice x

[@pipes-hikes]

@@KatherinePriddyOfficial I did look at Bigsweir Bridge as it does seem to be almost bang on halfway. I didn’t realise there was a bus route that passed through there. Seems spot on 👌🏼

[@KatherinePriddyOfficial]

@@pipes-hikes little update...did the first leg, Dad loved it. Excited for the next one. Thanks again for the handy videos.

[@pipes-hikes]

@@KatherinePriddyOfficial ah great stuff. Thanks for letting me know. Good luck with the rest of it 👍🏼