Walks and Dates September 2023

Latest Information About Harris Hikers from 23rd March 2023.

After much discussion between group members, those present decided to follow DS’s suggestion that “Short walks with an option of a meal at a nearby venue” should take place on the fifth Wednesday in a month, and members of the group would take it in turns to plan the walk and venue.
There are only two such Wednesdays left in 2023, November 29th*.

It was also agreed that Wednesday Walks should in the main be walks of around 8 miles with no more than about 1200’ of climb. If proposed walks exceed these suggestions routes should have obvious short cuts to reduce distance and / or climb involved.
It was also agreed that each month a different member of the group should plan the walk.
This walk should be for the Wednesday in the month and that would include the “Short Walk and Meal Option” on the fifth Wednesday.
In order to include that walk in the monthly “Dates and Walks Post", details of the walk need to be sent to me by 15th of the previous month.
Wherever possible I would like people to let me know of their intention to walk or not to walk by Monday afternoon/early evening prior to the walk on Wednesday. There isn’t an issue with last minute cancellations for any reason. This happens anyway when adverse weather is forecast at the last minute.no
Where the “Short Walk and Meal” is concerned, the person planning the walk and meal should be contacted directly and informed of theirr intentions as soon as you have made your decision.

Saturday 2nd September 2023.

Abergele and Moelfre Isaf.

Distance: 9.0 miles. Climb:1250'.

Start: Pensarn Beach Car Park. Grid ref: SH944787. Park near the PC block as we will be heading South towards the centre of Abergele.
Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.
Abergele and Moelfre Isaf.This walk is by Debbie Hamelton and starts in the centre of Abergele, but we will start on the coast. This will extend the walk by about 2 miles. The main walk is described as exploring the beautiful North Wales countyside South of Abergele. The outward route passes a well preserved watch tower.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 

Those not walking:  Mike.

Wednesday 6th September 2023.

Lady Bagot's Drive and More.

Postponed - too hot temperatures in high twenties from mid-day onwards.

Distance: 8 -10 miles. Climb: 600'.

Start: 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

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn,  Nigel, Ed.

Those not walking: Mike, David S., Fran Sue and Michel 

This walk is adapted from two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd".  We have completed this walk many times before in all sorts of weather conditions. Conditions underfoot have been particularly challenging after lots of rain and the Afon Clwyd is in spate.  In the past we have seen Kingfishers and Salmon jumping the weir, seeing either again would be nice.

Saturday 9th September 2023.

Mynydd Marian and More.

Postponed - too hot and  humid for me!

Distance: 7-9 miles. Climb: 1100'.

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 allow us to see how much work has been done on the sea defences from Old Colwyn to Colwyn Bay.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, 
Those not walking: Mike.

Wednesday 13th September 2023.

Around Bryn Alyn and Eryrys.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 1400'. 
Although the distance will probably be reduced by taking a few short cuts.

Start: Layby on the A494 Mold to Ruthin Road, about 1/2 mile South of Llanferres. Grid ref: SJ187597.

Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, Sue and Michel. 

Those not walking: David S, Ed, Nigel, Fran. 

This walk uses two walks from Dave Berry's book More Walks in the Clwydian Hill".  We have combined these walks on several occasions before and the section over Bryn Alyn is always good. It will also give us another opportunity to test our route finding skills through Nercwys Forest again! Admittedly the last couple of times we have had no problems in finding the right path, we've done it so many times over the years that at last the route seems to be etched in to our memories!

This good walk has its challenges and its delights too!

Saturday 16th September 2023.

Conwy Mountain and Around Maen Esgob and Craigfedwen

Distance: 8 miles. Climb:1447'.
Start: Long stay car park on the B5106 at Conwy. Pay and Display. Grid ref:SH781773. Post code: LL32 8LS
Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike 

Those not walking: Ed

The walk starts by heading through the castle walls and on the North Wales Coastal Path along the harbour as far as the secondary school. The North Wales Path is the followed over Conwy Mountain through Castell Caer Seion and onto the Sychnant Pass.

 The views from the Conwy Mountain Ridge can be superb, with the Great Orme in one direction and Tal y fan in the other, as well as good views towards Conwy castle and the Conwy Valley.

 After crossing the Sychnant Pass Road, the North Wales Path is once more folowed. At the point where there is a definite fork, it is possible to make a short there and back extension to visit the site of a monument. Returning to the North Wales Path, it is then followed along the East side of Maen Esgob as far as the head of the Fairy Glen. A path heading eastward then takes us past Llyn y wrach.

 Once the West side of Maen Esgob is reached, the main track is followed parallel to the stone wall towards Craigfedwen, where the footpath goes South of Waeny-fedwen and onto the minor road near Llechwedd. The route goes Northward on the road ad then takes the first path on the right which leads around Bryn-mawr to a minor access road. It is along this road that several large and/or interesting properties can be seen. at the T-junction, the route goes right and in a very short distance a broken kissing gate leads the way to a field path leading  to the Sychnant Pass Road at Mount Pleasant on the outskirts of Conwy. The Sychnant Pass Road  is then followed back to Conwy.

Wednesday 20th September 2023.

St Dyfnog's Well,Llwyn Wood, Coed Mawr and More .

Distance: 7.4 miles. Climb: 400'

Start: Roadside parking by the weir, West of Brookhouse Mill and Pottery. Take the A525 from Denbigh. Just before the Brookhouse Mill Tavern on the A525, at a signpost for "Pottery", turn right (West), go past the marked parking bays for the pottery  and park on the left side of the road by the weir. Grid ref: SJ069656.

Leave Chester at 10-00 a.m.

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

Those not walking: Fran, .

These walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd". One walk explores the attractive and varied countryside between Llanrhaeadr and Brookhouse and gives us the opportunity to see again the famous Tree of Jesse medieval stained glass window (1533) and Ann Parry's gravestone with its inscription"God kept His word".  The walk also includes two miles of riverside  alongside the Afon Ystrad and Afon Clwyd

There is a possible extension that is described as interesting and takes a "green"approach to a little known castle (Denbigh) in Wales.

However on the last two occasions we have decided not to do the extension, and had to be satisfied with good views of the castle from the south west.

Saturday 23rd September 2023.

No walk.

 I have an appointment to have a flu jab at 09-32.

It would be possible to arrange a shorter afternoon walk if anyone was interested or a walk that started in Chester.

Wednesday 27th September 2023.

A Great Orme Walk in Search of Siver studded blues!

Postponed due to bad weather! 

Distance: 8 miles. It can be easily be shorted or extended on the day to suit the needs of the group.

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 08-40 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, Fran, Nigel, Ed .

Those not walking: Sue and Michel .

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. 

This another opportunty to look for the Silver studded blue.

We will probably miss out the trig point, unless anyone in the group wishes to visit the trig point or wishes to use the facilities at the summit.

Saturday 30th September 2023.

A Rivington Pike and Winter Hill Walk.

Postponed due to an adverse weather forecast.

Distance: 8 - 9 miles. Climb: 1300'

Start: Car park and picnic site, Rivington Park Lower Barn. Grid ref: SD628138.

Leave Chester at 8-30 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, Ed.

Those not walking: , .

This is another walk taken from Terry Marsh's book "Fifty Classic Walks in Lancashire". He describes the walk as a generally easy walk on good tracks throughout, and is a trek through history. Weather permitting, we should get good views of the Darwen Moors.
The last time we did this walk was in November 2010, where if I remember correctly it was clear blue skies, but very cold.
  It is possible that a variation on this route will be followed, if our local friends are able to join us.