Dates and Walks August 2009

Updated 26th August 2009.

Saturday 1st August 2009.

Stone Circles, Open Tops and valley Bottoms into Bishop's Castle. Catherine's Walk.

Distance:12 miles; Climb:1300'.
Start: Bishop's Castle, Station Road Car Park. Grid ref SO324 877.
We will need to leave Chester at 7-30 a.m. to be sure that we arrive in Bishop's Castle in time to catch the 9-30 a.m. bus to Shrewsbury (the number 38 bus). The car park is free and there are toilets near by. The bus stop is about 200m away.
It may be useful to meet and then go in convoy. we can discuss this after the walk on Thursday..
The actual start of the walk is Shelve Hill Woods near a village called Gravels on the A488. Grid ref:SO3288 9945, but we will catch the bus from Bishop's Castle.
Hopefully Catherine will meet us at the bus stop. If you have a bus pass don't forget to bring it. For those that don't the bus fare is about £2. At the end of the walk it is intended that we have a quick pint in one of Catherine's watering holes in Bishops Castle before heading home!

Thursday 6th August 2009.

Moel Findeg and Deborah's Well, Fron Hen and Big Covert.

Distance:11 miles;Climb:2000+'.
Start:Maeshafn. Park near the telephone kiosk. Grid ref:SJ202610.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "More Walks on the Clwydian Hills". We have done both walks before, but not together, and it will be the first time that we have started a walk from Maeshafn itself. Moel Findeg is always a good walk through open country and attractive woodland. There are always fine views from the summit of Moel Findeg, especially towards the Cheshire Plain. The Fron Hen and Big Covert circuit explores both sides of the Alyn Valley and to the North follows a delightful bridleway around Fron Hen. This could be a chance for Fran to meet us at Maeshafn for the second part of the walk.

Saturday 8th August 2009.

Cwm Merddwr, Foel Las Motte and Ffridd-y-Foel.

Distance:10-11 miles; Climb:1500+''.
Start: Car park in Pentrefoelas. Grid ref:SH874514.
Leave Chester 8-0 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Hiraethog Moors and lakes. This walk became obvious whilst completing our last walk in this area in March. This relatively undemanding walk should give us excellent distant views of Snowdonia. Hopefully this time we will be able to identify the location of the 12th century motte.

Thursday 13th August 2009.

Coed Ceunant and the River Clwyd and On Foot to Eyarth Halt.

Distance:12 miles; Climb:2000+'.
Start: Ruthin riverside car park (Pay and display). Grid ref:SJ121582.
Leave Chester 9-0 a.m.

Another two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks In the Vale of Clwyd" that we have done several times before, but this is the first time that we have tried to combine them. He describes the first walk as a walk through varied countryside with excellent views and the second walk is described as a fascinating walk exploring the countryside between Ruthin and Llanbedre Dyffryn Clwyd.

Saturday 15th August 2009.
The Hills West of Cadair Idris.

The weather forecast for today seems quite bad, I'm looking into doing a lower level walk nearer home.

Distance:10 miles; Climb:2640'.
Start: Car park opposite the chapel at Llanfihangel -y-Pennant. Grid ref:SH672088.
Leave Chester 8-0 a.m.
This walk is taken from the Nuttalls' book "Walks in England and Wales Volume 1 Wales". It is a long time since we last attempted this walk, so long ago I think I still had a full head of hair without any grey hairs! The two peaks involved are Tyrrau Mawr and Craig-y-Llyn. We can also explore Castell-y-Bere, the largest castle built by the Welsh. If I remember correctly route finding in places can be challenging, but with Richard's Satmap we shouldn't have any problems this time.

Thursday 20th August 2009.
Owain Glyndwr Mount and Moel Ferna.

Distance:11 miles; Climb:1500+' at a guess.
Start:Pont Carrog. Grid ref:SJ115437.
Leave Chester 9-0 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Llangollen and The Dee Valley", along with an extension to visit the summit of our old friend Moel Ferna. The exact approach and route of descent will be decided on the daydepending on the weather conditions!
This is the nearest walk day after my birthday, so the usual cake will be provided, but make sure you let me know that your coming, so that I bring enough cake with me
After walk drinks will be at the Grouse Inn at Carrog, unless anyone can suggest anywhere better!

Saturday 22nd August 2009.

Moelfre, Traeth Ora and Mynydd Bodafon.

Distance:11 miles; Climb:1500+' at a guess.
Start: Traeth Lligwy beach car park. Grid ref:SH497871.
Leave Chester 8-0 a.m.
It's that time of the year when coastal walks seem appropriate. This walk combines two walks from Carl Rogers' book "Coastal Walks on Anglesey Volume 1". He describes one as an easy walk along a popular section of coastal path, visiting Din Lligwy Iron Age Village and the Lligwy Burial Chamber. He describes the other walk as a moderate walk along one of the most attractive beaches on the Anglesey coast and visits the excellent viewpoint of Mynydd Bodafon.
Perhaps we will feel like a swim at the end of the walk, so don't forget to bring swimming gear and a towel if you think you might be tempted!

Thursday 27th August 2009.

Moel Y Gaer, Moel Famau, Moel Fenlli and Cwm Blaenant.

Distance:11 miles; Climb:2000+'.
Start:Car park (Pay and Display) at Bwlch Penbarras Grid ref:SJ162606.
Leave Chester 9-0 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the Clwydian Hills". It is quite some time since we combined these two walks. These sections of the Clwydian Hills along the Offa's Dyke footpath are always a joy to walk, even if the summit of Moel Famau is is invariably on the windy side!

Saturday 29th August 2009.

Llaneilian and Porth Amlwch.

Distance:11 miles; Climb:1500'' at a guess.
Start: Car park at the end of the lane to Porth Eilian. Grid ref:SH477929
Leave Chester 8-0 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Carl Rogers' books "Coastal Walks Around Anglesey Volumes 1 and 2". The longer walk is described as a moderate walk along recently opened (1999) sections of the coastal path that might require a little route finding until the paths become established. He doesn't say much about the Porth Amlwch walk except that the coastal path here is easy to follow. This may be another chance for a swim at the end of the walk, so don't forget to bring swimming gear and a towel if you think you might be tempted!