
Offa's Dyke Path: Knighton and Norton Circular
Powys
Knighton, Tref-y-Clawdd or the town on the dyke, sits on the Welsh border where the Offa's Dyke Path crosses the Teme valley, and it is home to the Offa's Dyke Centre. This 15km National Trail circular, best walked with a dog on a lead through the farmland, heads south out of town on a bridleway and quiet lanes, climbing to about 395 metres on Llan-wen Hill beside the Spaceguard Centre observatory, where the view on a clear day reaches the Black Mountains and Ysgyryd Fawr. It drops on a rutted, rocky track and lanes to the village of Norton, then climbs Mynd Road through woodland of fine oaks to join the Offa's Dyke Path. The return follows the 8th century earthwork as a prominent bank and ditch across Hawthorn Hill at about 400 metres, past lines of Scots pines, before a steep wooded descent below the golf course back into Knighton. Expect around 450 metres of climbing.
This dog friendly walk is best for fit dogs that are happy on a lead. A good part of the route is on country roads and the B4355, which has a blind bend, and the dyke section runs field to field through small gates, with cattle grids near Norton pointing to grazing sheep and cattle, so there are few safe places to let a dog run. The woods give some shade. Carry water for your dog, as there are no reliable streams on the high ground. Knighton has pubs, cafes and several car parks.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 15.0 km (9.3 miles)
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Duration
- 5 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Peak
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Pubs, cafes and shops in Knighton; Offa's Dyke Centre on West Street; nothing on the route itself.
- Parking
- Bowling Green Lane or Larkey Lane car parks in Knighton; limited spaces at the railway station and the Offa's Dyke Centre.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Offa's Dyke Path: Knighton and Norton Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in PowysFrequently Asked Questions
Is Offa's Dyke Path: Knighton and Norton Circular dog friendly?
This is a moderately dog-friendly walk, rated 6 out of 10. It's a rewarding route for dogs that are fit and comfortable on a lead, covering 15km with around 450 metres of climbing from Knighton over Llan-wen Hill and back along a fine stretch of Offa's Dyke — so it's well worth the trip for the right dog and owner.
Can dogs be off lead at Offa's Dyke Path: Knighton and Norton Circular?
This really isn't a walk for off-lead time. A good portion of the route runs along country roads and the B4355 (which has a blind bend), and the Offa's Dyke section passes field to field through small gates with evidence of grazing sheep and cattle nearby. There are very few safe spots to let a dog run freely, so keeping your dog on a lead throughout is strongly advised.
What should I know before visiting Offa's Dyke Path: Knighton and Norton Circular with my dog?
This is a route best suited to fit, lead-trained dogs — the terrain includes a rutted, rocky descent and a steep wooded climb, so it's not one for less agile dogs. There are no reliable streams on the higher ground, so carry water for your dog. On the plus side, the woodland sections offer some shade, and Knighton has pubs and cafes for a well-earned rest at the end.
Visitor Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.








