England and Wales have 16 National Trails, long-distance walks through some of the finest scenery in the UK. Each one has a dedicated Trail Officer — but what does the job entail? We spoke with Rob Dingle, who oversees the spectacular Offa’s Dyke Path, to find out more.
How did you land the job?
I’ve always worked in some form of countryside management throughout my whole working life, from farming and forestry to nature conservation. When I moved from Oxfordshire to mid-Wales, the officer job came up and I thought it was too good an opportunity to miss. I applied and was lucky enough to get what was a dream job. It’s been my best job ever, and I’m still enjoying it after 16 years in the post.
What does it entail?
It’s such a varied job. I’m responsible for the strategic management of the whole 177-mile National Trail, working in two countries with seven different Managing Authorities, three of them English and four of them Welsh. My base is actually in Powys, so my job entails carrying out practical works on the route within Powys, managing budgets, bidding for grant funding, and working closely with the other Managing Authorities, who deliver work on the Trail within their areas.
I also deal with enquiries from the public and handle website and social media content, as well as assisting with PR and media and working closely with Natural England and Natural Resources Wales, who are the core funders for the National Trail. I also give talks, liaise with stakeholders, lead guided walks, and work with Cadw and Historic England where the Trail coincides with the Offa’s Dyke Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Best of all, I actually get to walk the whole Trail every year while carrying out my annual survey. A great part of being out on the Trail is actually meeting the walkers who use it, and getting feedback on what they think of, and enjoy about, the route.
What makes the Offa’s Dyke Path so special, in your view?
It’s the sheer variety of landscapes you travel through on the 177-mile journey: river valleys, upland moorlands, woodlands, a rich mosaic of different farmlands, canal-side walking and various protected landscapes, including three AONBs and a National Park. You are also walking through and alongside history: Offa’s Dyke, the longest Scheduled Ancient Monument in Britain, is your companion for about 40 miles, and you also walk past Chepstow Castle, White Castle and Hay Castle, as well as hill forts such as Beacon Ring, Dinas Bran, Foel Fenlli and Penycloddiau. It’s also the only National Trail in England and Wales to go through two countries.
Why are our National Trails so important?
They offer walking for everyone’s needs, whether that’s multi-day challenge hikes or short family circular walks. They’re very well waymarked, so people can follow them easily, and there’s a dedicated website where you can find out all you need to plan your walk — most Trails also have a range of shorter walks linked to the National Trails themselves. And of course, they’re also very important in supporting the rural economy in the areas through which they travel, with the accommodation and other services that rely on the many walkers that use the routes.
Do you work closely with other National Trail Officers?
Yes, I do. We all meet up face to face twice a year to share ideas, and one of the meetings each year is always hosted by one of the Trails, normally with a walk on their route included. Throughout the rest of the year, we are constantly in touch, keeping up to date with what’s happening and sharing ideas. At the moment we’re all very much involved in the development of National Trails UK, the new National Trails charity.
If you had the chance to walk another of the National Trails in England or Wales, which one would you choose and why?
I would probably pick the Cleveland Way. It has a great mix of spectacular-looking coastal scenery and inland walking around the North York Moors. It’s an area that I don’t really know at all, having only ever visited Whitby on one of our National Trail Officer get-togethers.
Want to explore Offa’s Dyke Path? Stay at YHA Danywenallt or YHA Clun Mill.
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