Walks and Dates April 2012

Updated 22nd April 2012

Congratulations to Wendy and Ian Peers on becoming grandparents for the first time. their grandaughter, Ffion was born on the 18th April 2012.

Thursday 7th April 2012.

Moel Fenlli, Cwm Blaenant, Moel Llanfair and Coed Plas Y Nant.

Distance: 12 miles. Climb: 2000' at a guess!
Start: Bwlch Penbarras Car park (Pay and Display). Grid ref: SJ161605.
Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.
This is the walk that we abandoned on 5th January this year due to gale force winds at Bwlch Penbarras. Hopefully we wil complete the walk this time.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the Clwydian Hills". One walk visits the Moel Fennlli hillfort and the secluded Cwm Blaenant and the other walk follows Offa's Dyke along high level track around Moel Gwy and Moel Llanfaer before returning via Coed Plas-y-Nant. Good views along most sections of the Offa's Dyke path.

Saturday 14th April 2012.

Llyn Elsi and Llyn y Parc from Betws -y coed.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb:1600' at a guess!
Start at the main car park at Betws-y-coed (near the PC). Grid ref: SH795565.
Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.
This is a figure of eight walk that combines two walks from ar Roger's book "Walking in the Conwy Valley". He describes one of these as a moderate walk to the most famous lake around Betws-y-coed, and the other as more strenuous as it climbs steeply out of the Llugwy valley to explore the woods and lakes of the Gwydir Forest.

Thursday 12th April 2012.

The Eglwyseg Escarpments and Trevor Rocks.

Distance:9-10 miles. Climb:1400'.
Start: Off road parking on the Panorama road just East of the monument. Grid ref: SJ247426.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This must be one of the best walks in the Llangollen area, especially on a sunny day. a walk that makes you feel like you're on top of the world with superb views in all directions, including the Dee Valley, Dinas Bran and the Llantysilio Mountains and the Berwyns.

Saturday 14th April 2012.

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

Distance:10-11 miles; Climb:2800'.
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 exhilarating walk exploring 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.
This is a walk that we usually do on a Thursday, but parking is limited, so I thought it would be better to include it on the Saturday list for a change.

Thursday 19th April 2012.

Craig Bron-Banog and Part of Cwm Alwen.

Distance:11 miles; Climb:1100'.

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 21st April 2012

Another Walk On Conwy Mountain.

Distance: 11 miles. Climb:2000' .
Start: Long stay car park on the B5106 at Conwy. Pay and Display. Grid ref:SH781773.
Leave Chester 08-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Carl Rogers's book "Walking in the Conwy Valley". Much of the routes as far as Conwy is the same as we have done on the last two occasions,. It goes through the harbour, follows riverside before passing the school and then climbing to Conwy Mountain along he North Wales path. The return route goes South towards Henryd.
This is the walk that I did with Mike on the 3rd of March, although this time, I plan to include a short extension to visit St Celynnin's Church, hoping that it will again be open.

Thursday 26th April 2012.

Coed Pen-y-Gelli and the Gorsedd Round
The First Bluebell Wood Walk of the Year.

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.

This is a annual Bluebell Wood Walk, and is effectively a figure of eight walk based on Lloc. This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry’s book “ Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain”. This walk is usualy done in May, but the Bluebells already seem to be in flower.

Leave Chester at 09-00a.m.

Saturday 28th April 2012.
Porth-Llwyd Falls, Cwm Port-Llwyd and Moel Eilio.

Distance:10 miles; Climb: 2000'.
Start: Roadside parking in Dolgarrog in road opposite Dolgarrog Social Club. Grid ref:SH769677.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This walk combines another two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Betws-y-coed and the Conwy Valley". One walk he describes as a demanding 3 mile walk ascending the steep wooded slopes above Dolgarrog and includes a waymarked trail commemorating the 1925 dam disaster. The second walk explores remote upland valleys using an old 2' narrow railway track and returns across Moel Eilio ridge. The final part of this walk passes Porth-Llwyd Falls, a popular attraction with Victorian visitors.