White Castle

Glourious weather all morning with bright Sun and little wind. Today's walk was longer at 16.1 miles but easier as ascents were more gentle and lower. Out of Monmouth we left the River Monnow and gently climbed up into Kings Wood on an easy surface of loose tarmac. After a Forest track down out of the Wood the rest of the 16 miles was through undulating Farmland with occasional road sections. We were now following the small River Trothy which varied between 10 - 15 feet wide. Some of the Farmland was hard going over soft sticky mud often churned up by Tractors or animals. Towards the end of the day we came across the extensive and impressive White Castle looked after by CADW and free to enter. Throughout the day Skirrid Hill was continually on our horizon slowly getting closer. Offa's Dyke path continued to be well sign posted, negating the need for a map or guide book. No stiles today, all fence crossings were gated, all streams had bridges with gates at one, or more generally both ends so altogether an exemplary path and long distance trail.Read more