by Paul Shaw, Treks & Trails International Co-Owner and Vice President, KTA Board of Directors
Do you enjoy hiking? (If you are reading this newsletter, you surely do). Are you a fan of TV shows Downton Abbey or The Tudors, or perhaps the movie Braveheart? How about the King Arthur legend or the Roman Empire? Are you captivated by castles and cathedrals, and days of old when knights were bold? If so, Treks & Trails International is offering four guided inn-to-inn small-group hiking trips next summer that are steeped in history and will immerse you in the gorgeous countryside of England, Scotland and Wales. Luggage is forwarded each day, so you only need to carry a daypack. For 2015, Treks & Trails will donate $200 to KTA for each KTA member who joins a hiking trip.
Trip #1: Offa’s Dyke Path (southern half), June 15-27, 2015
From June 15 to June 27, join us as we hike the southern half of the Offa’s Dyke Path, from Chepstow to Knighton, crisscrossing the Welsh and English borders on our travels through Chepstow Castle, Tintern Abbey, the White Castle, wind-swept Hatterall Ridge, the hidden Vale of Ewyas and Llanthony Abbey.
A highlight is a rest day in the quaint town of Hay-on-Wye, better known as the “Used Book Store Capital of the World.”
Trip #2: Offa’s Dyke Path (northern half), June 29-July 11, 2015
Hike with us from June 29 to July 11 on the northern half of Offa’s Dyke, from Prestatyn on the Irish Sea back to Knighton.
The hiking is a little more strenuous as we walk among the Clwydian and Shropshire Hills, stopping to visit ethereal Castell Dinas Bran, the ruins of Valle Crucis Abbey, and the imposing Chirk and Powis Castles surrounded by spectacular gardens.
Another highlight is walking alongside canal boats on the Pontcysyllte Aquaduct high above the Dee River Valley.
The intrepid hiker can combine both Offa’s Dyke trips into one extended trip for a significant discount.
Trip #3: Hadrian’s Wall Path, July 12-23, 2015
July 12 – 23 finds us on the Hadrian’s Wall Path in northern England, following along one of the great achievements of the Roman Empire, a masonry wall and fortifications designed to keep the unruly Scottish tribes to the north at bay.
From Carlisle to Newcastle, we pass through picturesque towns and villages, open moors, castles and cathedrals, all the while admiring the Wall and excavations of nearby Roman villages, temples and baths.
The highlight is a visit to Vindolanda, regarded as the most important historical site in Britain, with thousands of Roman artifacts on display.
Trip #4: Scotland and the West Highland Way, September 15-27, 2015
Our last UK trip of the season takes us to Scotland and the West Highland Way. From Glasgow, we hike north past Loch Lemond, then skirt Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, as we traverse the dramatic Scottish Highlands to our finish at Fort William. At the completion of our trek, we take a scenic train ride back to Glasgow. The dates for this trip are September 15 – 27.
Learn More
Complete details on these and all Treks & Trails trips are available on our website or by calling Paul Shaw, Treks & Trails International co-owner and KTA Board Vice President at 717-215-8339.