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Roger Butler peers over steep slopes on a roller coaster along Offa’s Dyke

Alex Roddie enjoys the best bit of the undulating South Downs Way

When friends who recently moved to west Devon invited us to see their new home, we decided to combine the visit with a brief autumn tour of the area, so we could explore the beautiful landscapes of Da

■ Distance: 5½ miles/8.8km ■ Time: 3 hours ■ Grade: Moderate

Walk through three counties visiting Cheshire’s Matterhorn, Derbyshire’s ancient bridge and Staffordshire’s secret church all in one Peak District hike.

■ Distance: 8 miles/12.8km ■ Time: 4½ hours ■ Grade: Challenging