Packing for any trip, let alone a walking adventure along Offa’s Dyke Path, can be frustrating. Those signing up for an Offa’s Dyke Path self-guided tour have it easier with luggage transfers—they can slip more luxurious items into their suitcase! However, anyone walking along the trail straddling the English-Welsh border, whether with a day bag or a bigger pack, will need the following ten essentials to ensure a memorable experience along Offa’s Dyke Path.
Day bag essentials
What should you pack in your day bag for Offa’s Dyke Path? If you’re lucky enough to get a luggage transfer, you’ll want to pull these items out of your suitcase and carry them daily.
2-3 litres of water
You don’t want to hike for hours without water. Unfortunately, water stations are tough to find along Offa’s Dyke Path, requiring you to lug extra litres of water. It might be heavy to carry, but nothing tastes as replenishing as water during a long walk (okay, food tastes pretty good, too!). So prepare to take two to three litres of water!
Lightweight waterproof clothes
If it’s raining out, you’ll likely pull your raincoat out of your suitcase and rock that for the day. However, if it’s not wet out, we recommend bringing a plastic poncho, just in case. These hardly take up any space or weight! It’s probably a smart idea to start in a fleece or a long-sleeve shirt and then remove layers throughout the day. If the weather seems promising, you can always risk it and leave these additional items in your main suitcase.
Sunscreen and hat
Save your skin and slab on sunscreen in the morning (and throughout the day), even if it’s overcast out! Sunscreen and a hat are a must for any outdoor excursion.
Extra socks
Pack an extra pair of socks in case blisters start to form! You’ll walk between 10.6mi–17.4mi daily, increasing the risk of a pesky blister. One way to prevent a blister is to change your socks whenever your feet start to feel—and we’re sorry to say this word—moist.
Cash
It’s always a good idea to carry cash with you! While the towns along the way don’t offer much grub, groceries, or general refreshments, you’ll want to have some money with you for when you stop in case they don’t accept credit/debit, and the ATMS along the entire path is limited.
First-aid kit
Pack bandaids, blister treatment, pain-relief meds, and antiseptic wipes into your day bag first-aid kit. You should save the more oversized items for your suitcase!
Lunch/extra food
Finding lunch or food along the way can be challenging, making packing a lunch and extra food a must! Some bed and breakfasts will pack lunch for you, too—for a fee. Just ask them if this is something they do during the booking process!
Phone
How can you capture the reel of the countryside and historical highlights speckling the iconic Offa’s Dyke Path without a phone? Of course, some of you will have a more professional-looking camera, but most will need a phone. Plus, your phone can connect apps with GPS routes.
Battery pack
And what comes hand-in-hand with a phone? A battery pack! Imagine pulling out your phone to snap a photo or check the map only to find a drained battery. A mini battery pack or solar charger will boost your phone back up! Thankfully, you can find compact battery packs these days!
The essential items to pack in your suitcase
Take a look at the checklist below for other essential items to pack in your bigger suitcase or bag for your trip along Offa’s Dyke Path:
- Walking sandals—swapping your sweaty hiking boots for breezy walking sandals at the end of a long walk feels good.
- Hiking boots—ensure you have quality hiking shoes, and don’t forget to test them out on long walks and hikes beforehand.
- Walking poles—these can be a knee lifesaver.
- Laptop/tablet—it might get boring at night!
- Comfy clothes—change into these after your walk.
- Waterproof jacket—what if it rains?
- Quick dry, moisture-wicking clothes—an extra set or two of walking clothes in case yours become unbearable.
- Gaiters—a brilliant way to fight off the morning dew.
Of course, you also have your standard items, such as identification, toiletries, underwear, socks, chargers, etc.
Our last piece of advice? Pack the bag with the items you plan to carry with you daily, and go on some long walks to give your body a chance to get used to the weight before you go. It will also help you see if you need to upgrade to a different backpack.
We hope this article helps ease the stress of packing for a long walking adventure!
Different adventures in Wales
Looking for a different adventure in Wales? The Three Castles of Wales Walking Tour and the North Wales Conwy Short Break Tour are both incredible experiences filled with historical buildings and scenic landscape views. If you want to take in all that Wales has to offer, these tours have a little something for everyone!
Other Offa’s Dyke Path resources?
Need more information to continue planning your Offa’s Dyke adventure? If you are looking to satisfy your curiosity about Offa’s Dyke Path, then be sure to check out our series of articles on the epic long distance walking trail:
Everything You Need to Know About Offa’s Dyke Path
Benefits of Booking a Self-Guided Tour for Offa’s Dyke Path
Frequently Asked Questions About Offa’s Dyke Path
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