A series of events are planned to celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of Britain's most popular walking trails. Offa's Dyke path, which stretches along the England-Wales border from the River Severn to the Irish Sea, was officially opened on 10 July 1971.
Over 3,000 walkers a year complete the 177 mile (285km) trail through "stunning" landscapes. Rob Dingle, Offa's Dyke Path national officer, said the whole of the walk normally takes about 12 days, with thousands enjoying smaller circular walks in different parts of the trail.
"Its appeal is simply the landscapes you walk through, from river valleys to uplands and for about 60 miles you're walking alongside the ancient monument. The trail takes you through three areas of outstanding natural beauty and the Brecon Beacons National Park It's also a trail that sees you cross over between England and Wales, a border that has lasted 1,250 years."
* It stretches from Sedbury Cliffs near Chepstow on the banks of the Severn estuary to the coastal town of Prestatyn on the Irish Sea
* Offa's Dyke Path was first listed as a long distance route in 1949
* The path was officially opened in Knighton by Lord Hunt (leader of the 1953 Mount Everest expedition) on 10 July 1971
* It passes through no less than eight different counties and crosses the border between England and Wales 27 times
* The dyke associated with his name is a linear earthwork consisting of a ditch and rampart constructed with the ditch on the Welsh-facing side
* Its intended purpose is shrouded in mystery but it is thought to have been started in about 785 AD and was several years in the building
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