Walks and Dates May 2011

Updated 23rd May 2011.

Congratulations 
to 
Michael and Amy Collinson 
on the safe arrival 
of
Lucy Elizabeth
and to 
Paul and Yvonne on becoming Grandparents again.

Monday 2nd May 2011.
Pendle Hill – another Search for Dotterel

Distance:7-8 miles. Climb:1400’.

Start: Downham Village Car park. Grid ref: SD785442.
Leave Chester:8-00 a.m.
This is an extra walk for this week, so is a little shorter than usual. The route today is the one in Terry Marsh’s book “Fifty Classic Walks in Lancashire”.  He describes it as “undoubtedly the finest ascent of Pendle Hill”. Let’s hope for a good day weather-wise, topped up with good views of Dotterel as we did last year.  Don’t forget to bring binoculars.

Thursday 5th May 2011
Maen Achwfan, Llyn Helyg, Crown Bach and Coed Pen-y-Gelli.

Distance:9-10 miles. Climb:1500’.
Start:Roadside parking opposite the church in Whitford. Grid ref:SJ147782.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This is the first of our Bluebell Woods walks.
The walk starts off by using one of the walks in Dave Berry’s book “ Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain. We have completed this one several times, including visiting the beautifully carved Maen Achwfan.  However this time we include exploring two new woods, Glol and Llyn Helyg woods.  The latter has only recently been opened to the public, so we may have to search a little to find the access point. Hopefully we will return through Crown Bach woods to Lloc and then return to Whitford via Twll Bach.

Saturday 7th May 2011.
Long Mynd, Wild Moor and Pole Bank.

Distance:10-11 miles. Climb:2100’.
Start: Centre of Church Stretton car park (Pay and display). Grid ref: SO454930.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Ian R. Jones’s booklet “20 Church Stretton Walks”.  All of the walks around Church Stretton are popular, although this walk does include a few sections that are a little less visited by the throngs.  Another possible Dotterel day, but if we do see any, it will be our first on the Long Mynd.  Even without Dotterels this is a superb area of the country to walk in, especially as you explore the moors around Pole Bank.

Thursday 12th May 2011.
Coed Pen-y-Gelli and the Gorsedd Round 

 Another Bluebell Wood Walk.

Distance:11-12 miles. Climb:1050’.
Start: Roadside parking at Lloc.  Turn left by the public house if approaching from Holywell on the A5026 o right if approaching on the A5026 from its nearest junction with the A55. Grid ref:SJ145765.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry’s book “ Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain”. In the past this has proved to be one of our best Bluebell walks and includes three woods, Coed Allt-y-coed, Coed-y-Garreg as well as Coed Pen-y-Gelli that we visited last week.

Saturday 14th May 2011. Walk postponed.
Llyn Caer Euni from Llanderfel.

Distance:9-10 miles. Climb:1800’
Start: Roadside parking by the stream in the village of Llanderfel. Grid ref:SH982371.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
The described part of the walk is taken from Dave  Berry’s book “Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn”. This is only a 5 mile walk, but the extra miles is linking the start of the walk in Sarnau with Llanderfel, using different paths on the outward and return journeys.
The outward route will include using a path through the Nature Reserve Cors y Sarnau. There is a good chance of seeing Red kites in this area.

Thursday 19th May 2011.
Moel Ferna and Nant-y-Pandy.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb:2000’.
Start: Lay-by adjacent to the Butterfly Man Craft Centre on the A5 Llangollen to Corwen road near Glyndyfrdwy. Grid ref:SJ11584360.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
The described part of the walk is taken from Dave Berry’s book “Walks Around Llangollen and the Dee Valley”. He describes it as a fascinating walk through the wooded Nant-y-Pandy with its old slate works.  The extension takes us to the summit of Moel Ferna, let’s hope for a good day so that we can linger on the top and taken in the excellent views.

Saturday 21st May 2011.
Llyn Geirionydd, Llanrhychwyn Church and the Llanrwst to Trefriw River Walk.

Distance:12-13 miles. Climb:1500’.
Start: Plas yn Dre Car park, Llanwrst. Grid ref:SH796618.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This walk combine two walks from Dave Berry’s book “ Walks Around Betws-y-coed and the Conwy Valley”.  The walk begins with a pleasant walk along the Afon Conwy to Trefriw, before heading up to Llyn Geirionydd.  The valleys around Geirionydd are known haunts for Cuckoos, so hopefully we might hear one or as in the past been lucky enough to see one.

Thursday 26th may 2011.
The Ceiriog Valley and More.

Distance:9-10 miles. Climb:1840’.
Start: Pontfadog Car Park. Grid ref:SJ234380.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
This walk is based on a walk taken from the “Walking Wales” magazine called “Churches in the Valley Walk”. However we will extend it to include the summit of Y Foel and the Biddulph Tower. Our return route from Y Foel will be decided on the day, but won’t be the heather hopping route chosen last time!  The main route in the beautiful Ceiriog valley passes 7 churches  and eventually rises to the hill top road where there are superb views to be had, especially towards the Berwyns and the Shropshire Hill.

Saturday 28th May 2011.
Rhoscolyn, Treaddur and More.

Distance:10-11 miles. Climb:650’.
Start: Rhoscolyn Beach Car park. Grid ref: SH273752.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
About 4 miles of this walk are taken from Carl Rogers’s book Coastal Walks Around Anglesey – Volume !”.  Much of the walk including the extension to Treaddur , uses the Anglesey Coastal Path. The second extension from Borth Wen to Traeth  Llydan on the coastal path returns  via inland paths and quiet roads.