Walks and Dates January 2024

 

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 four such Wednesdays in 2024. 

.These are:- January 31st, May 29th, July 31st, and  October 30th.

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 their intentions as soon as you have made your decision.

Wednesday 3rd Janauary 2024.

Wepre Park, Ewloe Castle,  Aston Hill and Northop Hall.

Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 860'.
Start: Wepre Park, South of Wepre Drive, Connah's Quay. Grid ref: SJ295684.
Leave Chester at 09-30 a.m. (to start walking by about 10-00.)

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Nigel Fran?, Ed? .
Those not walking: Mike, Sue and Michel .

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. I would describe it as a good stroll to start the year off after the weather enforced stay at home between Christmas and the New Year.
 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 the walk in 2023, the repair to a bridge over a stream along the dismantled railway track had been completed, making it much easier to cross.

Saturday 6th January 2024.

Around Cwm Ceirw.

Postponed due to the heavy rain earlier in the week. 

See below for replacement walk.

Distance: 8-9 miles.

Climb:2000+' at a guess.

Start: Car Park in Cerrigydrudion. Close to the garage on the left approaching the village from the Ruthin road.

Grid ref: SH954488.

Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.

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

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks around Hiraethog Moors and Lakes".

He describes it as a walk exploring the the remote hills and valleys between Cerrigydrudion and Llangwm.

If time allows I would like to investigate a possible parking area on the A5 just down the road near Glasfryn. It is a layby on the left just before a garage and before entering the village at Grid ref: SH917502. If this parking area is OK then there are another a couple of good walks that start from Glasfryn that we can do.

Replacement Walk.

Brickfield Pond Nature Reserve and Both Sides of the Afon Clwyd.

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!

Leave Chester at 09-00. 

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Ed.

Those not walking: Mike. .

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 06-00, 7.3 m / 23.9'.

Nevertheles we should still get ood views of Wintering visiters that come to this river / estuary. 

There are usually god numbrs of wintering birds on the Brickfield Pond. 

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.

Wednesday 10th January 2024.

Raby and Willaston.

Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 350', probably an exaggeration!
Start: Hadlow Road Station. Grid ref: SJ332773.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Fran, Nigel, Mike .
Those not walking: Ed.
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.
An easy walk, although at this time of the year, paths can be waterlogged!

Saturday 13th January 2024

Clip-y-Orsedd and theThe Druid Circle.

Postponed.

Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 2000'.

Start: Promenade Car park, Llanfairfechan. Turn right at cross roads traffic lights in centre of Llanfairfechan and follow Station Road down to the promenade. Grid ref:SH679754.

Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.

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

This walk uses two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the North Wales Coast." These two walks combine to make one of my favourite walks in this area as they explore the hills behind  Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr. We will visit the impressive Druids' Stone Circle, but on this occasion we will miss out Foel Lus.  On a good day we should get good views, especially towards the coast and Tal y Fan. We will only extend the walk as far as the Druids Circle.

Wednesday 17th January 2024.

Around the Little Orme to Rhos On Sea. 

Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 700'.

Start: Roadside parking next to Paddling Pool and PC on Coast Road at Craig y Don, East side of Llandudno.

Leave Chester at 08-45 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Fran, Mike, Ed. (all weather permitting!)
(Those not walking: Nigel )

This has become a regular walk at any time of the year, but at this time of the year we stand a good chance of seeung Grey seals in Angel Bay, especially as Low Tide is around 09-15. 

The views from the top of the Little Orme are always superb. 

The main reason for doing the walk so early in the year is to see if there are any Seals around Porth Dyniewaid.

Will the number of Grey seals beat the 90+ we saw in Pigeon Cove last month?

Bring binoculars with you if you have them.

Saturday 20th January 2024.

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.

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

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 (now replaced) back to Betws-y-coed.

Wednesday 24th January 2024.

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, Sue and Michel , Ed, Nigel, Mike (all weather permitting). 

(Those not walking: Fran )

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.

We first did this walk mid-week in 2012, so I thought it was about time to do it again.

Saturday 27th January 2024.

The Pentrefoelas Round, Foel las Motte and Ffridd-y-Foel.

Disance: 8-10 miles. Climb: 1000' - 1300'.

Start: Penrefoelas village car park. In the village turn left over the river. Grid ref:SH874514.
Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

(Those not walking: )

This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book"walks Around Hiraethog Moors and Lakes" or his last slightly revised version called "Walks in the Hidden Heart of North Wales". 
He describes one walk as using paths, old coaching roads and drovers routes and quaint lanes and rises to Bryn Prys at just over 1000' and skirts moorland reaching over 1100'. The second walk passes an old earthwork castle - Foel Las Motte.

Wednesday 31st January 2024.

This is the fifth Wednesday in the month and is the first short walk of 2024.

West Kirby, Red Rocks and More.

Distance: 5 miles. Climb: 150' at a guess!

Start: South Parade, West Kirby Marine Lake. Park between the old baths and the Sailing Club at the Southern end of the lake Grid ref: SJ214860.

Leave Chester at 09-00.

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

Those not walking: 

Ed .

High Tide is at 14.07 and is 28.2 m / 8.6 m.

The walk starts by going round the Marine Lake and then along the beach to Red Rocks. This time we will take the path across the Royal Liverpool golf course before crossing the railway line to join the path leading back to West Kirby.

There should be plenty of wintering birds still here, so bring your binoculars with you.

Low tide is at about 09-15, so we should have a good chance of seeing Grey seals on the beach and be able to walk on the beach to Penrhyn Bay if we wish.