A Moel Arthur and Penycloddiau Adventure.
The blocked road that caused us to rethink!
At the top of Moel Arthur with Penycloddiau in the background.
At the top of Moel Arthur with Moel Famau in the backgeound.
The view toward Penycloddiau.
A close view of the Red kite.
Another view of the Red kite.
On the western ramparts of Penycloddiau.
At the memorial cairn on Penycloddiau.
A delightful splash of moorland Heather on the western flanks of Penycloddiau.
Distance: 9.0 miles. Climb: 1385'.
Time: 5 hours 22 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 nm.p.h.
Group: Matyn, Nigel, Fran, Sue and Michel.
The day didn't start well on the narrow minor road leading from Nannerch to the Coed Llangwyfan car park, we were confronted by a a fallen tree blocking the road. Fortunately three of the cars arrive at this point at the same time, and it was a good point that enabled us to turn around, Similarly the fourth driver of the group met us on the way back, and turned round to follow us. After stopping to discuss future plans, we decided to head to Cilcain and head towards Moel Arthur from there.
The walk henceforth would be an improvised walk based on Moel Arthur, but at this point we were unsure if Penycloddiau would be part of the walk.
At the start of the walk, Moel Famau was in cloud and Moel Arthur wasn't much better, but the nearer we got to the foot of Moel Arthur the better the weather, and it wasn't blong before we were regretting putting waterproofs on (jackets for all full gear for some).
At the top of Moel Arthur, point views weren't very good, particularly towards the south an Moel Famau., but bat least we could see Penycloddiau and Moel y Parc beyond.
At the Coed Llangwyfan car park we decided that we would do a sort of circuit of the hillfort fort, following its western rampart and ditch to the memoral cairn and following the main path back.
Part of this route to Penycloddiau was now on a one way system, clear from the car park, but not clear from the top.
At times we had hazy views of tghe Snowdonia nountains, Moel Siabod and Tryfan were easily identified, but the others were a little more difficult, even when you knew what they should be!
Lunch was taken at the southern end of the Penycloddiau hillfort, from which we had good views of Moel Famau and the southern Clwydians.
Our return route from the Coed Llangwyfan car park took us across the north western flank of Moel Arthur to link up with path that contoured around the west side of the hill.
Birds seen or heard today include: Bullfinch, Common chaffinch, Goldfinch, Meadow pipit, Common buzzard, Barn swallow, Common pheasant, Red kite, Raven and Winter wren.
We arrived back at the cars, having enjoyed a really good walk and ready to celebrate at the White Horse in Cilcain. Most of us enjoyed brews made by the Flntshire Brewery, Facers. We sat outside, chatting about happy memories of Avis (Fran' s mother who recently passed away).
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