Dates and Walks May 2008

Updated 25th May 2008

Thursday 1st May 2008

Little Orme and Coed-y-Gaer.

Start:On the roadside near to the public toilets on the front at Craig y Don.
Grid ref: SH799822.
Distance: 8 miles. Climb:1500'.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
Always a good walk, a little shorter than our usual, but we can always extend it by walking along the beach towards Llandudno.

Saturday 3rd May 2008.

Llyn Crafnant, Llyn Gerionydd and Llanrhychwyn Church.

Distance: 12 miles; Climb: 1500+'.
Start: Car park in Trefriw. Grid ref: SH782630.
Leave Chester at 8-30 a.m.
This combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Betws-y-coed and the Conwy Valley. This walk visits two popular lakes, one of which we seem to have seen quite a lot of recently. One walk also visits the remains of a remote upland church,said to be the oldest in Wales.

Monday 5th May.

Pendle Hill.

Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 2000'.
Start: Downham Village car park. Grid ref:SD785442
Leave Chester at 8-00 a.m.
This is a variation of the walk that we normally do, but is taken from a booklet produced by the Guardian called "the Best Walks in Britain". It ascends on the route we normally descend and uses a route further to the east on the descent. Another possible Dotterel day!

Thursday 8th May 2008.

Penycloddiau and beneath Moel y Parc.

Distance: 11-12 miles; Climb:2000'.
Start: Llangwyfan Forestry Car Park between Pencloddiau and Moel Arthur.
Grid ref:SJ139668
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the Clwydian Hills". I have done both of these walks but not together. The walk around Moel-y-Parc I have completed only once before, but that time we started at Aberwheeler, and did a little bit of route detouring of our own to approach the summit from the North. That won't be our plan this time! This route doesn't actually reach the summit of Moel Arthur unless a there and back extension is thought desirable.

Saturday 10th May 2008.

Moel Siabod by a new route.

Distance: 10 miles; Climb:2800'.
Start: Parking space near Dolwyddelan station. Grid ref: SH738522.
Leave Chester at 8-30 a.m.
This walk is taken from Michael Burnett's book " Walks East of Snowdon". The walk approaches from the South of Llyn y Foel, before heading up the South ridge and descends via the East ridge. It finally returns via the the impressive ruins of Rhos Quarry.

Thursday 15th May 2008.

Coed Pen-y-Gelli and the Gorsedd Round The Bluebell Wood walk).

Distance:12 miles; Climb:1500'.
Start: Side road (one way) in Lloc. Grid ref: SJ145765
Again this combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain", but I don't think we have done them together. Hopefully this will give us the opportunity to see the Bluebells in their full glory.

Saturday 17th May 2008.

Ro Wen and Across the Lledre.

Distance: 10 miles; Climb: 2500+'.
Start: Parking space near Dolwyddelan station. Grid ref: SH738522.
Leave Chester at 8-30 a.m.
This walk uses two walks taken from Michael Burnett's book " Walks East of Snowdon". The main walk takes you to the beautiful Penamnen Valley to the summit of the mountain that dominates it to the East.
The second short walk takes us alongside the Afon Lledre, crossing it via a footbridge and then gently climbing up the western foothills of the valley offering spectacular views of the Lledre Valley. Half of the walk repeats sections of the walk completed on the 26th April 2008

Thursday 22nd May 2008

No walk planned as I am away camping!

Hopefully Dave J., Michel and Richard will think of a suitable walk for everyone.

Saturday 24th May 2008.

Lamaload, Forest Chapel, Shutlingsloe and Shining Tor.

Distance: 11 miles; Climb: 2000+'.
Start: Lamaload Reservoir Car Park. Grid ref: SJ976753.
Leave Chester at 8-30 a.m.
This walk is taken from Graham Beech's book "East Cheshire Walks". It partly covers a walk that we completed from Tegg's Nose. The route visits two of the highest points in Cheshire, both excellent viewpoints on a good day!

Thursday 29th May 2008.

Graig Fawr, and Coed yr Esgob from Prestayn.

Distance:9-10 miles; Climb:1500'.
Start: Prestatyn beach car park. Grid ref: SJ068840. There is a large car park by the toilet block, just before the beach car park, but I usually park on the one that overlooks the beach.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
This is a walk that I have done many times before and always enjoy. The route uses the North Wales Path and Offa's Dyke path to link the start point with a walk from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Clwydian Hills". There could be a chance for a swim, if anyone is brave enough!

Saturday 31st May 2008

Pen-Gaer, Llyn Dulyn and llyn Melynllyn

Distance: 10 miles; Climb: 2000+' (at a guess).
Start:Pen-y-Gaer. Grid ref: SH744693.
To get to the start point. From the Bedol pub in Tal-y-bont (in the Conwy valley), take the road signposted to Llanbedr-y-cennin. Go past the Olde Bull Inn and continue up the hillsise. At a junction, turn left and follow the road up below the norther slopes of Pen-y-Gaer to its end, where it becomes two tracks and there is a parking area near a seat.
This is another walk taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Betws-y-coed and the Conwy Valley". He describes this as an exhilarating walk. It includes extensive views from Moel-y-Gaer, a hill fort with rare "cheveux de frise" defenses. The walk crosses wild upland valleys, visiting remote lakes set in dramatic cwms. At one point it follows a delightful track and later on scenic high level track before passing a bothy. Although the walk involves little demanding climbing, it is a walk for experienced walkers only, and should not be attempted in poor visibility. Let's hope the weather is kind to us.
Leave Chester at 8-30 a.m.