Moel Famau from the Cilcain Viewpoint.
The first Snowdrops seen on our walks this year.
Moel Arthur, our main objective today.
The higher path to Gronfoel that we will use later in the day.
On the summit of Moel Arthur with snow covered Eryri in the background.
The path descending Moel Arthur towards Penycloddiau.
Distant view of Eryri as we descended Moel Arthur.
Another distant view of Eryri as we descended Moel Arthur.
The start of the path through Coed Llangwyfan.
More of the path through Coed Llangwyfan.
A distant view of Eryri from our lunchtime spot.
Another view of Eryri from our lunchtime spot.
Not what we expected to pass us as we had lunch.
The unusually designed property now complete near the start of "muddy" bridleway back to the Moel Arthur road.
More of the bridleway to the Moel Arthur road.
The bridleway to the Moel Arthur road - seems to go on for ever!
Mike takes the last few steps before escaping to the delights of walking on tarmac!
Looking back towards Moel Arthur from the Gronfoel path,
Distant views towards the Wirral from the Gronfoel path.
Moel Famau from the Gronfoel path, just before descending to Gronfoel.
Distance: 8.2 miles. Climb: 1542’Time: 5 hours 17 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: 4.4 Celsius at the start. 7.8 Celsius at lunch and 7.8 Celsius at the end.
Beaufort Wind Force: 2 – 4. Mainly Light breeze, but did reach a 16.5 m.p.h. Moderate breeze on the top of Moel Arthur.
Group: Martyn, and Mike.
We arrived at the start with the temperature at 4.4 Celsius, but feeling much cooler. In fact, I had to borrow Mike’s spare hat which was much appreciated when it was needed until we got to the top of Moel Arthur.
Distant views towards North Wales were good and the snow-covered high tops were clearly seen. However distant views towards Cheshire were somewhat misty.
Lunch was taken just after leaving Coed Llangwyfan, where we sat on the bank overlooking the Vale of Clwyd. Sheltered from the wind a in the warm sunshine, this was a very pleasant place to stop. However, the path below us was a bridleway and we were briefly disturbed by a group of motorcyclists that needed to stop near us to open a gate enabling them to proceed.
After lunch we took the bridleway that contoured around the hills west of Moel Arthur. An easy track, but prone to being very muddy as it was today. I must remember in future to only choose this path after a long period of dry weather and never in Winter months.
Arriving at the bwlch between Moel Arthur and Moel Llys-y-coed, we decided to take the path across the hillside to Gronfoel. The highest point on this path was just over1300’, but by mid-afternoon the ground was still frozen hard.
Birds seen or heard today: House sparrow, Dunnock, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Common starling, Raven, Carrion crow, Woodpigeon, Blue tit, Coal tit, European robin and Common buzzard.
Overall, an enjoyable walk, completed in warm sunshine and blue skies throughout, weather much better and less windy than we expected.
We did try to call in at the Blue Bell, but their car park was full, even the green opposite had lots of cars parked, so we decided o head for the Brit. After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn, where Sarah gave us a walm welcome and the Lees bitter went down well.
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