Dates and Walks May 2010.

Updated 18th May 2010.

Saturday 1st May 2010.
Pendle Hill.

Distance:8.3 miles; Climb:1985'.
Start:Downham Village Car Park. Grid ref:SD785442.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This time we we follow the route described by Terry Marsh in his book "Fifty Classic Walks in Lancashire". In it he describes it as "undoubtedly the finest ascent of Pendle Hill". this Dotterel season again, so don't forget to bring binoculars with you.

Monday 3rd May 2010.
The Little Orme and Coed Gaer.

Distance:7.2 miles; Climb:1756'.
Start: Roadside parking near the PC on the front at Craig y Don. Grid ref:SH799822
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This is a walk that is becoming an annual favourite at this time of the year. The walk gives superb views across the bay to the Great Orme, and there is always the chance of seeing seals and Ganets. Hopefully we will see a few flowers, and maybe an orchid or two, although we may be a little early for them. Don't forget to bring your binoculars.

Thursday 6th May 2010.
Marion Frith, Moel Hiraddug, Cwm and Coed Yr Esgob.

Distance:10.4 miles; Climb:1600'.
Start:Car Park at the Western edge of Dyserth on the A5151. Grid ref:SJ062793.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
It's a couple of years since we last did these two walks together. Both walks are taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the Clwydain Hills - New revised edition". He describes the first walk as delightful and the second one as providing a fascinating exploration of the low hills North of Dyserth.

Saturday 8th May 2010.
Rowen to Llanbedre-y-Cennin and More.

Distance: 6+; Climb:2000' at a guess, depending what extra we plan to do on the day.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Betws-y-coed and the Conwy Valley. The described walk is nominally only 6 miles, but it will give us time to explore the area further, perhaps visiting Pen-y-Gaer Hillfort. Hawfinches are known to frequent the churchyard in Llanbedre-y-Cennin, so don't forget to bring binoculars with you.

Thursday 13th May 2010.
Bluebell Wood walk. Coed Pen-y-Gelli and the Gorsedd Round.

Distance:11.7 mi.es; Climb:1704'
Start:Roadside parking near pub at Lloc. Side road one way off A5026. Grid ref: SJ145765.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Holywell and Pentre Halkyn". Having seen our first flowering Bluebells on the 22nd April, I thought that we had better bring our "Bluebell Wood Walk" forward a couple of weeks. Hopefully we won't be too late and Coed Allt-y-tywld will have recovered from the wood management disturbances of 2009.

Saturday 15th May 2010.
Holyhead Mountain.

Distance:11-13 miles; Climb:1905'.
Start:Roadside parking opposite the PC by the Old Harbour. Grid ref:SH245831.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This walk is becoming an annual favourite. It is taken from Carl Roger's book "Coastal Walks Around Anglesey - Volume 2". It is a superb walk that gives us plenty of opportunity to do a little birdwatching. Hopefully we will see Choughs and perhaps Puffins around South Stack. Don't forget to bring binoculars with you.

Thursday 20th May 2010.
Craig Bron-Banog and Part of Cwm Alwen.

Distance:8-12 miles; Climb:2000' at a guess.
Start:Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr. Riverside picnic site. Grid ref:SH987496. Take the Ruthin to Cerrigydrudion road. Turn right just after the bridge by the Crown Inn. Continue down the road past the church. The picnic area is on the right just before the school.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
Both walks are taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks In the Hidden Heart North Wales". The Craig Bron-Banog walk is new to us. He describes it as an eight mile figure of eight walk exploring the afforested undulating countryside South-east of  Llyn Brenig. The route meanders through Clocaenog Forest, passes a hidden waterfall and an ancient standing stone before reaching the highest point of Craig Bron-Banog with its panoramic views.

Saturday 22nd May 2010.
The Ward Stones.

Distance:12-14 miles; Climb:1700'.
Start:Jubilee Tower Car Park on the Trough of Bowland Road. Grid ref:SD542573.
Leave Chester 7-30 a.m.
This is an earlier start than usual, as the start point is only a little short of Lancaster, further than we usually travel.
Clougha Pike (1355'), Ward Stone (1836') and Grey Mare and Foal (1837') are the summits that we expect to visit on this walk.
I can't remember how long ago it is since I last did this walk in the Trough of Bowland. As far as I can remember it was a pleasant walk, although Derek Venables lost a glove in a peat bog, and Celia didn't like the 2-3 mile uphill road walk at the end!

Thursday 27th May 2010.
On Foot to Eyarth Halt, Craig Adwy-wynt and Nant Clwyd Hall.

Distance:13 miles; Climb:1161'.
Start: Ruthin Riverside Car Park (Pay and Display £3-50). Grid ref:SJ121582
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's Book " Walks in theVale of Clwyd", although we will try to shorten them a little. The main walk involving Craig Adwy-wynt and Nant Clwyd Hall is delightful throughout and is one our favourite walks in this area. The Eyarth Halt Walk doesn't have a lot to offer, but it links the main walk with our start point!

Saturday 29th May 2010.
St Celynnin's Church and Tal y Fan.

Distance:7+ miles; Climb: 2605'.

Start: Rowen roadside parking on right near to Post Office justafter entering the village. Grid ref:SH761719.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's Book "Walks Around Betws-y-coed and the Conwy Valley". We attempted this walk last year at the beginning of April and the weather as we crossed Tal y fan was horrendous, hopefully it will be a little kinder this time! He describes the walk as visiting an ancient church, Maen Penddu, a standing stone), an ancient burial chamber, and a section of a Roman road. It involves an exhilarating climb across Tal y fan, giving panoramic views.