Walks and Dates October 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 one 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.
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.

Wednesday 4th October 2023.

Foel Fenlli and Cwm Blaenant.

Distance: 7-8 miles.

Climb: 1524'

Start: Bwlch Penbarras car park (Pay and display - cash works better than cards). All day now costs £5-00.

Grid ref:SJ162606.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a,.m.

Those planning to walk: ,   .

Those not walking: Martyn (I tested positive for Covid on 30th September and will be self isolating for 5 - 10 days until I test negatve) .

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks on the Clwydian Hills". It is described as an interesting walk, visiting an impressive iron-age hill-fort. Sections mender along the Offa's Dyke footpath as far as the Clwyd Gate. The return route will take us through little known Western fringes of the Clwydian Hills. It includes attractive woodland paths  and explores a delightful hidden valley. Most of the walk is along clear paths with excellent views throughout.

 The walk is nominally shorter than usual, but the last time we completed this walk it was in November 2022, and we didn't bother with any extension, admittedly the weather wasn't good! However if the group are keen to extend the walk, it will be easy to do so. This is a decision we can leave until we get back to the cars if need be. There are plenty of tracks through the forest at Moel Famau Country Park to create a loop of whatever length we want.

Saturday 7th October 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:  

Wednesday 11th July 2023.

Moel Famau , Around Ffrith Mountain and Clwyd Forest.

Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 1500'.
Start: Bwilch Penbarra Car park ( £5-0 last time we used this car park. Cash is better than a credit card), south west of the PC block. This is the top car park that overlooks the Vale of Clwyd.

Grid ref: SJ161605
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: Sue and Michel

This walk combines to routes from Dave Berry's Books, one from "Walks in the Clwydian Hills" and one from "Walks in the Clwydian Hills - New Edition." This is a walk that we first did in 2015, and every one said that they enjoyed it.  Hence its inclusion again this year. Perhaps at this time of the year we will reach the Jubile Tower on a warm wind free day with superb views in all directions!

Saturday 14th October 2023.

The Lawley and Caer Caradoc.

Distance:10 miles; Climb:2000'.
Start:Church Stretton centre car park (pay and display). Grid ref:SO454911.
Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.

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

Those not walking:   
I think the last time we did this walk it was about four years ago. It is a good varied walk, so I thought it was worth putting on again . The walk combines two walks taken from Ian Jones' booklet "20 Walks From Church Stretton".It is a walk that we first did in 1998 and have done several times since then. This is a superb walk, especially on a good day. It is the nearest that you can get to a ridge walk, particularly along the Lawley!

Wednesday 18th October 2022.

Mynydd Marian.

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

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

Leave Chester at 08-30.

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

Those not walking:   Sue and Michel

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.

Saturday 21st October 2023.

A Clwydian Trio - or part of it. 

Postponed due to weather - ground likely to be very waterlogged and driving conditions difficult. 

Distance: 9 miles. Climb;1900' .

Start: Pentre-celyn car park .. Grid ref: SJ150534. Post Code: LL15 2HE

The car parking area is on the left adjacent to the sign for Pentre-celyn, just off the B5429.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn . 

Those not walking: 

This is another walk by Debbie Hamilton and is taken from the "Walking" magazine. This walk includes the section of Offa's Dyke Path goes near Moel y Plas, Moel Gyw, Moel Llanfair and Boncyn y Waen-grogen. Her walk starts from Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd, but we will start at Pentre Celyn about half a mile beyond Graigfechan.

The last time we did this walk, we shortened it to about 8 miles and 1300', so we may do the same today.

Wednesday 25th October 2023.

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

Postponed.

 There is so much ground water around at the moment that I can't see conditions underfoot  improving that much by Wednesday, so I have decided to postpone the walk.

Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 600'
Start: Thursaston Visitor Centre Car Park. Grid ref:SJ239835.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn . 

Those not walking: Sue and Michel, Nigel, Mike 

This is a repeat of the walk that we last did in January 22 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.

Last minute replacement 

for Walk on Wednesday 25th October 2023.

Gronant, Prestatyn, Talacre and The Point of Ayr.

Distance: 710 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 walk isn't usually one we do at this time of the year as the Little terns have long gone to warmer climes. but it is still worth bringing binoculars as Winter visitors have started to arrive. We may even be lucky enough to see a  Snow bunting. 

High tide is at about 09-45, and is  27.0' / 8.2 m, so there shouldn't be any problem walking along the beach if we want to do so.The route starts by heading north down Shore Road to Presthaven Sands where will first we head east throuh the caravan park, The Warren Nature Reserve.  We may go as far as the RSPB Point of Ayr bird hide before returning to Talacre.   If possible we will walk along the beach from the Lighthouse, although we my have to rethink if we can't cross the beach car park should it be fooded.

Lunch will be taken in the shelter by the boardwalk next to the Prestatyn Golf Course. After lunch we will either head through the golf course or take the path along the top of the sand dunes as far as Prestatyn's Barkby Beach before returning to Gronant and the start on Shore Road.. 

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

Saturday 28th October 2023.

World's End from the Ponderosa.

Start: Car parking area opposite the Ponderosa Cafe. Grid ref: SJ192480.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: 

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book " Walks Around Ruabon Mountain, the Clywedog Valley and Hope Mountain." This is described as an exhilarating walk of great variety, on good upland paths and tracks with panoramic viewscapes.

This is a good walk, but the paths crossing the moorland to the masts on Gyrn-y- Brain are not always that easy to find.