A quite brilliant introduction to a National Trail long distance walk (though have day walked on several others). The variation of countryside and the combination of scenery, history (the White Castle was magical), personal challenges (the climb out of Knighton) and people met, will remain with me long after the aches have gone. The path is amazingly well marked though a few more field posts would have saved me a couple of muddy slogs around fields looking for the designated exit point. It's hard to know whether north to south or vice versa is the best (easier) route, but methinks the climb up the Black Mountains from Hay or to Moel Famau from Bodfari are slightly more demanding than my walk from Chepstow. I'll go the other way next time! Camping added a wonderful delight and challenge as well as a chance to meet some fabulous understanding people running sites. And throughout the walk, the constant companion of the Dyke was there to appreciate and question how they managed to build with such basic equipment. When she bid farewell after Chirk, the wonders of three spectacular prehistoric hill forts, castles and feats of engineering were present to intrigue to the hills above Prestatyn.