Day 4: Knighton to Montgomery 18th May 2026

The section of the Offa’s Dyke Path from Knighton to Montgomery is widely regarded as one of the toughest but most rewarding stretches of the entire National Trail. It was definitely the toughest. Covering roughly 31km, the route heads north out of Knighton and immediately climbs into the remote Shropshire Hills, following a relentless series of steep climbs and brutal descents in slippery and muddy conditions.

The trail passes close to large sections of Offa’s Dyke itself, with us walking along long stretches of the ancient earthwork.

This was definitely the most physically challenging day in terms of both distance and climbs. The section is normally finished in Brompton, but there is no accommodation there, so we continued on to Montgomery, which is a further 5km along the path plus an additional 1km detour.

This was definitely our hardest day yet.

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Here the dyke is very prominent
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View back into Knighton
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We traversed this valley for a long time
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Knucklas Railway Viaduct
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..with Train
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Amazing views..
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More of the Dyke
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Two Red Kites
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…possibly mating
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Amazing view as it all looks flatter ahead
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Not for the first time we walk trough what looks like to be someone’s front garden
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These signs are on the gate you see above clearly nicked from Ballineen in west Cork
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The town of Montgomery, a welcome site.
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Are final day is tomorrow and we head from Montgomery to Brompton Bridge. It’s about 1km back to the path and then a further 15km north to Brompton Bridge with some elevation. we then head to Welshpool to get the train home.

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End