Harris Hikers Walks and Dates January 2023

  The Monthy Shorter Walk will still be on the last Wednesday of the month.

I am happy to receive suggestions for suitable short walks, particularly if they are free from stiles.

Suggestions for other Wednesday Walks are also welcome.

Remember to let me know that you plan to walk so that it becomes easier to arrange car sharing. in addition it helps me to know how many route maps I need to bring and on special occasions how many pieces of fruit cake or treats will be needed.

1st January2023.

Happy Birthday to Ed - "84" today! (74 last year)

Wednesday 4th January 2023.

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

Distance: 8 - 9 miles. Climb: 120'.

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!

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Ed, Sue and Michel, Nigel, Fran, Wendy.

(Those not walking: Mike, David S)

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 didn't see Snow buntings on the Foryd last year, with a bit of luck we may see them this year. High tide at the Foryd is at 09-09, 8.3 m / 27,2'.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.

Saturday 7th January 2023.
Pincyn Llys from Bontuchel.
Walk stats: Distance: 8.9 miles. Climb: 2187'.
Start Forest Car Park near Bontuchel Grid ref: SJ08165708.
To get to the car park at Ruthin follow the through route and at the rugby club roundabout take the B5105 road towards Llanfwrog. Just after passing the church and the narrow bend in the road, take the right turn signposted to Bontuchel and Cyffylliog. At Bontuchel turn left immediately after crossing the bridge over the river. Follow the road uphill. The Forest car park in about half a mile up the road on the left.
Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.
 Meet at Ruthin Craft Centre Car park (free) on Lon Parcwr (4th turning off the roundabout if approaching from Mold/Chester. It is opposite Tesco). Grid ref: SJ125586.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Ed.
(Those not walking: Mike)
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Hiraethog Moors and Lakes." However his walk starts at Cyffylliog, but parking there isn't easy. Starting from Bontuchel allows to get round that problem, but does involve walking along a about a mile to link in with the described walk. The walk explores the undulating upland pastures and forest between Cyffylliog and Clocaenog as well as following open side valleys and forest around Pincyn Llys.
 This hasn't always been a favourite walk for the group, but I do like to include it now and again,
Wednesday 11th January 2023
A Frodsham Round
Distance: 8.5 miles. Climb: 1100'.
Start: Frodsham car park (turn left by the Helter Skelter on B5152. Grid ref: SJ518778. Park at the far end.
Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.
This is the first of our Wednesday walks. 
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, Ed, Sue and Michel .
(Those not walking: David S)
 This walk is part of the Sandstone Trail walk that we last did in 2012, but that walk was nearly 12 miles, so I have adapted it to include part of a walk that appeared in the Liverpool Daily Post around 1955.
The the walk starts with a climb out of Frodsham to the memorial on Overton Hill which on a clear day gives superb views over Frodsham Marshes towards Liverpool.
 The next section follows a delightful section of the Sandstone Trail towards Woodhouse Hill with some of its ramparts intact. We may wish to explore the hillfort, but that can be decided that on the day when we arrive at the access point to the monument.
 The walk then heads South along the west side of Snidley Moor before turning East along the Ridgeway.
 After a short section of road walking, we will pick up the Eddisbury Way which is followed Northwards past Peel Hall and Hatley Farm to Bradley on the outskirts of Frodsham. Just North of Bradley we will leave the Eddisbury Way on a path that takes us into Frodsham.  The last part of the walk will involve weaving our way through the streets back to the car park.
 The return section from just outside Kingsley goes through a lot of farm land, so I anticipate that at this time of the year it could be muddy - gaiters might be a good option!
Saturday 14th January 2023.
Llanarmon-yn-Ial, Eryrys and Moel y Gyw.
Postponed - weather forecast too wet and too windy!
Distance:8-10 miles; Climb:1500'.
Start:Pistyll Gwyn Quarry car park. 1 mile north of Llanarmon-yn-Ial. Grid ref: SJ189574.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, Ed.
(Those not walking: )
This walk uses two walks taken from Carl Roger's book "Walking in the Clwydian Hills". We have completed both walks before, but have never tried to link them together before. The Eryrys walk is described as exploring the lesser-known limestone hills separated from the main Clwydian ridge by the Alyn Valley. Views throughout the walk are superb! The second walk involves the ascent of Moel Gyw which also has superb views of the Clwydian Hills to both the north and the south.
The last time we did this walk in November 2015, we had to negotiate a path that was partially flooded in order to get to a footbridge over a river in spate. Hopefully at this time of the year it shouldn't be to bad underfoot. Last time out we reduced the walk to about 8 miles, so there is a good chance we will do the same today.
Wednesday 18th January 2023.
Holywell Common, Racecourse, Pantasaph and Pen-y-Ball Top with an extension to explore Plymouth Copse and Coed Moel-dda.
Postponed- weather forecasts too much risk of icy conditions on untreated roads.
This is likely to apply to the minor roads around Brynford.
Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb:  600'.
Start: Holywell Common, opposite the Crooked Horn, Brynford. Grid ref: SJ185740.
This is a variation of the walk that we have done many times, when we cross the common to Brynford on he way to the old racecourse.
Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
(Those not walking: Wendy, Nigel, David S, Mike, Fran, Sue and Michel )
We may explore Plymouth Copse and Coed Moel-dda, woods, but last time we missedit out In addition we will only follow the Western side of the old racecourse and instead use the road to Pantasaph, before using field paths to get to Pen-y-Ball Top. After visiting Pen-y-Ball Monument take a new path on the west side of the monument to reach the track and the bridge over the A55 to the golf course and our usual route back to the start.
Saturday 21st January 2023.
Gloddaeth Hall and Bryn Pydew.
Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Start: Marl Hall Wood Car Park on the outskirts of Llandudno. Grid ref: SH 799787.
Directions to get to the car park. Leave the A55 at Junction 19 and follow the A470 towards Llandudno. At a roundabout turn right signposted to Esgryn / Pydew. Go past Esgryn Road to find a small car park on the right.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
(Those not walking: )
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Llandudno".  These walks explore the area around St. David's College that we normally visit on our Little Orme walks.  In addition, we will take a short there and back extension to visit the obelisk that we see clearly as we travel along the A55.
Wednesday 25th January 2023.
Thornton Hough and Brimstage from the Red Fox.
Table booked for 12-45.
Distance: 5 miles. Climb: 150'.
Start: The Red Fox, Thornton Hough. Grid ref: SJ298800
   The Red Fox is on the B5136, Liverpool Road, heading East from the A540 towards Thoughton   Hough. Approximate post code CH64 7TL.
 The Red Fox is about 18 miles from Chester and takes about 25 minutes to get there.
Leave Chester 09-00.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, David S, Fran, Nigel, Elaine, Sue and Michel. 
(Meal only :- Celia and Anne S.)
(Those not walking: Wendy, Mike)
If you plan to stop for lunch, please let me know by Monday evening and I will book a table.
The walk is the one that the Red Fox has produced and is available to download if you have the footpath app.
 The walk explores the countryside between Thornton Hough and Brimstage and follows sections of pavement, woodland paths and field paths (can be muddy after rain!). There are nine stiles and several kissing gates to negotiate. The route is described as passing several historic halls, manor houses and pretty cottages. 
Some of us may decide to have lunch at The Red Fox after the vwalk, so make sure hat everyone travelling in the same car are like minded.
Saturday 28th January 2023.
Mow Cop, Congleton Edge and More. 
Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1100'.
Start: New start Point. Cheshire's Close lay-by on Congleton Road, Mow Cop. Grid ref: SJ8673058565
Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
(Those not walking: )
This walk combines a walk from Carl Rogers's book "Circular Walks Along The Gritstone Trail" and part of a walk taken from the "Pathfinder Guide to Cheshire". This walk is a little shorter than the one that we did in 2008. Good views from the ridges.
We have often done this walk in the Winter and have found it to be quite muddy in places.  If snow and icwe are forecast for this area, we may have to postpone this walk and find a more suitable alternative.