Dates and Walks October 2009

Thursday 1st October 2009.

A Tale of Two Quarries and the Foothills of Moel Morfydd.

Distance:10-11 miles; Climb:3100'.
Start: Opposite Capel Hebron, Rhewl. Grid ref:SJ182449.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
Two walks taken from Dave Berry's book ""Walking Around Llangollen and the Dee Valley. The two quarries walk is described as an exhilating walk exoploring the foothills and attractive South facing side valleys of the Llantysilio mountain range.
The second walk is described as a walk that explores the beautiful Dee Valley and includes passing around the head of an attractive side valley beneath Moel Morfydd, offering superb views of the Dee Valley and beyond.

Saturday 3rd October 2009.

Conwy Mountain and Around Foel Lus.

Start: Main car park in Conwy on the B5106. Grid ref:SH784774.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.

This walk is a variation on our usual trek over Conwy Mountain to the Druids Circle, although we may not get that far on this walk. We can decide on the day once we have completed circumnavigation of Foel Lus. Always a good walk with good views all day weather permitting!

Thursday 8th October 2009.
Around Llandyrnog on St. Cwyfan's Trail and In Search of St. Cynhafal.Start: Llandyrnog is on the B5429. Roadside parking in Nant Glyn. In the centre of the village turn on to the road for Llangynhafal (Gladstone Terrace). Nant Glyn is the first road on the right. Grid ref:SJ108651.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
Two walks taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd. Both walks

we have done before, but last time I sensibly didn't do the St Cynhafal walk and avoiding returning like drowned rats! These walks are described as being delightful walks that meander through open countryside and one rises to skirt the edge of the Clwydian Hills.

Saturday 10th October 2009.

Another Variation on the Roaches.

Distance:9 miles; Climb:1000+'
Start: Roadside parking below the Roaches, just North of Upper Hume. Grid ref:SK004621.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
Tis version of an old favourite is taken from the Pathfinder Guide to the Peak District and explores the Eastern side of the Roaches, including a section that follows Black Brook. The walk includes 3 miles of magnificent ridge walking. The walk can be muddy, particularly on the sections that are new to most of us.

Thursday 15th October 2009.
Whitford Wood, Downing and Maen Achwyfan.

Distance: 9-10 miles; Climb:840'.
Start: Whitford, roadside parking opposite the church. Grid ref:SJ147782.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
Two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain. Both we have done many times before. The walk includes attractive woodland patures and visits part of the Downing and Mostyn Estates. It also visits the Celtic cross, Maen Achwyfan and the Beacon tower. It will be interesting to see how much more restoration work has been done since our last visit.

Saturday 17th October 2009.

Beddgelert's Eastern Parish Boundary, Its Lakes and Wetland.

Distance:9 miles; Climb:1000+'
Start: Alongside Llyn Gwynant (Lay-by on left). Grid ref:SH649520.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Aalter and Dave Worrall's book " From Mountain Top to Valley Floor". This is a new walk for me and visits Llyn Yr Adar and the summits of Ysgafell Wen (2132') and Moel Meirch (1990'). Past visits to this area have shown the need to be prepared for boggy terrain!

Thursday 22nd October 2009.
Cwm Dulas, Gopa Wood and More.

Distance:7-10 miles; Climb:1500+'.
Start: Abergele, Pensarn Car Park. Grid ref:SH942786.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This walk is based on a walk from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the North Wales Coast". Again we will extend it to include the summit of Rhyd-y-Foel and possible explore Gopa Wood a little more. I missed out on the traverse of Rhyd-y-Foel last time, so I'm looking forward to doing it this time. Mynydd Marian will not be offered as an optional extra on this occasion!

Saturday 24th October 2009.

Pont y Pant and Pen y Benar.

Distance:9 miles; Climb:1500+'.
Start: Dolwyddelan Station Car Park.. Grid ref:SH738522.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This involves two walks taken from Mike Burnett's book " Walks East of Snowdon. The "Pont y Pant walk takes us on to the low hills bordering the river valley North of the Ledre Valley before dscending to the Rhiwgoch Quarry and returns on paths South of the Afon Lledre. The Pen y Benar walk follows Sarn Helen in to the steep sided Penamnen Valley befpre climbing through the forest to reach the summit of Pen y Benar, an excelent vantage point to enjy the panoramic views. The final part of the walk descends to the Lledre Valley close to Roman Bridges and finishes with a delightful stroll along the valley floor back to Dolwyddelan.

Thursday 29th October 2009.

Clywedog Reservoir and Foel Uchaf.

Distance: 9+ miles; Climb:1700' at a guess.
Start: Roadside parking in Cyffyliog. Grid ref:SJ060579.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book Walks in the Hidden Heart of North Wales". It is one that we have done several times before, but this time we will climb to the summit of Bryn Ocyn, hopefully still allowed via Tir Gofal access land.
Parking in Cyffyliog is very limited, so I suggest that we meet at the Riverside Car Park in Ruthin and take s few cars as possible to Cyffyliog.

Saturday 31st October 2009.

Marsden and Standege.

Distance:9 miles; Climb:1000+'
Start: Brun Moor/Brun Clough Reservoir Car Park on A62 (Manchester/Oldham to Marsden Road). Grid ref:SE017094.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This is another walk taken from "Pathfider Guide - Peak District". It is right on the edge of the Peak District and isn't totally covered on the OS Peak District maps . Most is on the OL 21 South Pennines Map. Most of the walk is across bare and open Gritstone moors, giving a full flavour of the landscape of the Dark Peak and South Pennines. It uses several trails: the Pennine Way, Oldham Way, Station to Station way and the Standege Trail. The last three are all new to me, so it should be quite interesting area for us to explore.