Harris Hikers Dates and Walks January 2022

At the moment neither the UK of Welsh Governments have changed their Covid rules / gudelines that would prevent us from walking as a goup. Hopefully this won't change on the next weekly review on the 31st December 2021.

Remember Welsh Covid Restrictions still apply in Wales, so it is still important to bring face coverings in case we need to use them such as Public Conveniences (PCs), shops, on Public transort and Medical environments.

The Welsh Government also wants us to wear face coverings in pubs and restaurants at all times except when we are eating or drinking.

They also want us to take a lateral flow test before going out and meeting other people in places that are likely to be busy.

Keeping to 2 m wherever possible and the rule of six in pubs along with one way systems when moving around. Contact deails will also be taken and table service are also back.

Similarly in England masks must be worn in Shops and on Public Transport or in taxis. 

This implies that we should as well, if we share cars.

Remember to let me know that you plan to walk so that I know how many route maps I need to bring and on special occasions how many pieces of fruit cake.

The Wolf Moon taken at about 06-20 on 18th January 2022

Saturday 1st January 2022.

Cwm Dulas and Gop Wood.

Distance: 8. 0 miles 9-10 miles)including Cefn-yOgof); Climb:1300'.
Start location. Abergele, Pensarn Beach car park by PC. Grid ref:SH942786.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
The bulk of the walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the North Wales Coast", with an extension to include the small hill Cefn yr Ogof. Always a good walk with several opportunities to have extensive views. Once again we may decide to explore Gop Wood a little more or even be tempted to paddle in the sea at the end of the walk.

Can be made shorter, if we miss out Cefn yr Ogof.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Ed, Roger.
(Those not walking:)

Wednesday 5th January 2022,

Rhuddlan L.N.R ., the Rhuddlan to Rhyl Riverside Walk with possible extensions to the Brickworks Pool N.R. and the Forydd.

Distance: 8 -11 miles. Climb: 200'.

Start: Park at the Rhuddlan L.N.R. car park. Grid ref: SJ020776. 

The car park is on the Western side of Rhuddlan. To get to the car park, from the A55, turn right on to the A525 (St. Asaph Road towards Rhyl and Rhuddlan), at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit onto Station Road (to Rhuddlan centre / Castle). The car park is on the right, opposite a new hotel. If you get to the bridge over the river you've gone too far!

This walk is an annual favourite, at least for those that like to do as little birdwatching as well. It is a good time of the year as there are lots of Winter visitors that frequent coastal areas and river estuaries. Bring binoculars with you.  Last time we had lunch by the Marine Lake, near the Foryd.  We have also had lunch on the beach at the Foryd. 

Although we haven't seen Snow buntings on the Foryd or a few years, with a bit of luck we may see them this year. 

High tide at the Foryd is at about 12-35, 9.7 m / 31.8'.

This means we should get good views of Wintering visiters that come to this river / estuary , especially on the return. 

Last year we didn't do any of the extensions!  Extension, if any will  be taken at each appropriate point in the walk on the day.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, David S, Nigel, Fran.

(Those not walking:)

Saturday 8th January 2022.

Gronant, Prestatyn, Talacre and The Point of Ayr.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 200'.
Start at Gronant Dunes Car Park on Shore Road: Grid Ref: SJ090837 This road off the A548, Moston Road and signposted to Presthaven Sands / Gronant Dunes.This is a new starting point.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This is a walk that is always on the list at this time of the year, as it is always a good time to see Little terns, so bring binoculars with you. Hopefully we will see orchids too.
High tide is at about 16-00, and is about 26.5' / 8.1 m. The route starts by heading north down Shore Road to Presthaven Sands where will first head west through the golf course to Prestatyn's Barkby Beach. We will then walk on the beach or follow the path along sthe top of the dunes as far a the Little Tern colony. After visiting the RSPB Viewpoint and Visitor Hut, we will probably continue along the beach towards the Point of Ayr Lighthouse. Hopefuly we will find a suitable place to have lunch on the beach, unless we have walked fast enough to reach the picnic tables next path to the Point of Ayr RSPB hide. If time allows and everyone is willing, we will visit the RSPB Hide, before returning to Presthaven Sands through The Warren Nature Reserve.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Ed.
(Those not walking:, Roger)

Wednesday 12th January 2022,

Raby and Willaston.

Distance: 9.6 miles. Climb: 195'', 
Start: Hadlow Road Station. WillastonGrid ref: SJ 33197733
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Anthony Annakin-Smith's book "Wirral Walks". The two walks are linked along minor minor roads and field paths. The walk passes a former racecourse pretty woodlands, the Wirral's largest windmill and even a Glow-worm site, not that we are likely to see one!
An easy walk, although at this time of the year, paths can be waterlogged!

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Ed, Roger, Sue and Michel, Nigel , Fran. Mike.
(Those not walking: David S, Wendy).

Saturday 15th January 2022.

Mynydd Marian.

Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 1000'.

Start: Llandulas Beach Car Park. Grid ref: SH907786.

Leave Chester at 08-30.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book, "Walks on the North Wales Coast". It combines an interesting section of the coast line with the attractive limestone countryside between, Old Colwyn, Llysfaen and Llandulas. This is one of my favourite walks, but the walk today wil llowe us to see what work is being done on the sea defences from Old Colwyn to Colwyn Bay.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Ed, Mike 
(Those not walking:)

Wednesday 19th January 2022.

Thurstaston Common, The Dungeon, Stapledon Wood, Caldy and More.

Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 600'
Start: Thursaston Visitor Centre Car Park. Grid ref:SJ239835.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This is a repeat of the walk that we did on 1st January 2010 and combines two walks from Raymond Roberts' booklet "Wirral Walks - the West Wirral Six". This is a relatively easy walk with good views along the way, especially from Thurstaston Hill. We hope to walk back Thursaston along the beach, so bring binoculars with you. Low tide is at 13-00, so we should have no problems walking along the beach in the afternoon.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, David S, Mike, Fran, Nigel. 

(Those not walking: Wendy, Roger, Sue and Michel).

Saturday 22nd January 2022.

A Walk Around the Great Orme.

Distance: 8-10 miles, but will be decided on the day.

Climb: 500'-1000', depending on the route we take.

Start at Llandudno West shore. Roadside parking near the boating lake. Grid ref: SH771820.

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

We will probably start by heading up Marine Drive and taking the Monks' Path upto the plateau. Following the paths on the north west side of the Great Orme. After visiting the summit trig point we will probably head for Happy Valley for lunch. At lunch we can decide if we want to return to the West shore via the invalids' terrace or return to the summit and drop down the zig-zag steps.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, Ed.
(Those not walking:)

Wednesday 26th January 2022.

Wepre Park, Aston Hill and Northop Hall.

Distance: 9.5 miles. Climb: 860'.
Start: Wepre Park, South of Wepre Drive, Connah's Quay. Grid ref: SJ295684.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk includes the four mile "Wepre" walk from the booklet "Rural Walks in Flintshire", but has been extended to explore the area around Northop Hall. The Wepre walk is described as a moderate walk and includes a wooded river valley and a ruined castle.
 The extension heads for Ewloe Green via Aston Hill on the way to Northop Hall. After exploring the countryside North of Northop Hall, it eventually rejoins the dismantled railway track shown on the original route that will leads us back to Wepre.

When I last did this walk in 2021, they were about to repair a bridge over a stream along the dismantled railway track. Hopefully it will have been comleted by now. 

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Ed, Wendy , Sue and Michel, David S.
(Those not walking:Nigel, Mike )

Saturday 29th January 2022.

The Swallow Falls, Cyffty Mine and More.

Distance: 8 - 9 miles; Climb:1500'.

Start: Betws-y-coed Station(Long Stay) Car Park (Pay and Display £5-00?) Grid ref: SH792567

Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.

This walk uses part of a walk from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Betws-y-coed and The Conwy Valley" with an extension takes us into part of the Gwydir Forest, with the return route following the Afon Llugwy riverside path from the Miners' Bridge (no longer there) back to Betws-y-coed.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, Ed.
(Those not walking:)

Port Penryn, Its Railways and Rivers.

Distance:7-10 miles. Climb: 600'.
Start: Bangor. Car park on the right just before the main road bends left to the centre. Grid ref: SH595728.
Leave Chester 8-00a.m.
This walk is taken from a book by Dave Salter and Dave Worrall called "From Mountain Top to Valley Floor". The described walk explores the hinterland behind Penryn Castle. Last time we explored the grounds of Penryn Castle. It do not intended to do so this time, but just in case we do, bring your National Trust Membership Card with you if you are a member.

The last time we did this wak was in January 2016.

Those planning to walk: Martyn.
(Those not walking:)