A Stroll from Saltney to Shotton 30thAugust 2025

Looking towards Queensferry

House  martins at Saltney Ferry Foot Bridge.+

Good weather on thb North Wales Coastal Path today.

One of many  Lapwings seen today.

Little egrets on the River Dee,

The Magicianly restored John Summers HQ building.

Panorama of the docking platform next to HQ.

A refreshing pint or two!

Time: 2 hours 55 minutes.
Overall walking average: 2.8 m.p.h.
Temperature - 18 Celsius
BWF - Gentle to Moderate breeze. Pleasant for walking, but it did blow my Tilley off when it was battened down front and back!
The forecast for today suggested that it would be fine in the morning but with rain comings in from about mid-day. We made the decision on Friday for Mike to continue road testing his new bike, and I would walk to the Central Hotel, Shotton. In the end, I had to make a few phone calls before setting off. It was 09-15, before I was able start on my walk - too late for the original planned breakfast at the Central Hotel.
The surprise of the day, was probably the fact that all off cyclists passed with care, although used a bell to warn of their approach!
The other surprise was seeing so many Canada geese (> 1000) and Lapwing (>500) along the river. Even seeing 15 Little egrets was more than I expected.
Arriving at Alexandra Road in Shotton, I noticed that a community orchard had been created at the station end of the play park. Hopefully they will be allowed to enough to be a benefit to the locals.
Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Carrion crow, Lesser black back gull, Black headed gull, Herring gull, House martin, Barn swallow, Jackdaw, Grey heron, Little egret, Wood pigeon, to Feral pigeon, Mallard, Great cormorant, Lapwing, Canada goose, Greylag the goose and European Robin.

I arrived at the Central Hotel, too late for breakfast, but in time enjoy a pint of Peerless Brewery's "Oatmeal Stout" and "Old Rosie's Cider"!

I arrived at the Central Hotel, too late for breakfast, but in time to enjoy A pint of Peerless Brewery's "Oatmeal Stout" and glass of "Ol

The Alyn Valley and Coed Du 27th August 2025

I had problems using my camera today, which meant that a took videos when I meant to take photos.

Thankfully Fran took photos on her i-phone, and they have been included.

St. Mary's Church, Cilcain.

The White Horse Inn, Cilcain.

Leaving Cilcain on the Pantymwyn road.

The Damson tree bearing much fruit. (F)

On the bridge over the Nant Alyn.

The bed of the Nant Alyn. (F)

Nigel waiting in Coed Du.

The path through Coed Du covered in fallen leaves. (F)

In Coed Du.

Autumnal sounds.

Moel Famau from north of Cilcain (east of Siamber Wen)

Our final view of Moel Famau from the path near Gors Farm.

(F) - photos taken by Fran).

Distance: 8.8 miles.
Climb: 1470’
Time: 5 hours 18 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.
Temperature: Around 17.6 – 20. 5 Celsius
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 3. We were sheltered from the wind, but occasionally it gusted to a pleasantly warm Gentle breeze.
Group: Martyn, Nigel, Fran and Mike.
After looking at the weather forecast, it was decided to delay the start of the walk to about 13-00, in the hope that the heavy rain predicted would have passed through. Thankfully it had, but we did experience a short fairly heavy shower. After that it sunshine for the rest of the walk.
Birds seen today were very few and far between, but those seen or heard today included: Woodpigeon, Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Common buzzard, Wood nuthatch, Eurasian jay, Blue tit, Long tailed tit and House sparrow.
No lunch break today, although we stop in the Pandy Quarry for drink and some fruit cake.
Overall, this proved to be a good day for walking, not too hot, no wind and no rain.
A very enjoyable walk, with the bonus that we used a couple paths that I hadn’t explored before.
We had a couple of unplanned extensions when we didn’t follow the description carefully enough!
Plenty of ripe fruit were seen on route, and I we were tempted to collect some to take home, particularly the Damsons. A bucket of apples with the notice “Help yourself) tempted us as well. Some Blackberrys looked good and ready to eat, and others were tiny a still red!
After the late start, gleaning and stops to check our route, we didn’t get back to the car until nearly 19-00.
It was decided that a visit to the White Horse in Cilcain would be the best option for liquid refreshments.
The beers on offer were all from the local Facers Brewery. The beers on offer include: White Horse Bitter, Splendid and Plum Porter.
All three were enjoyed one or other of the group.
Except for the horrendous climb out of the Alyn Valley (never to be repeated by me!), it was a very enjoyable walk.
Thanks to our driver, Nigel, we were able to indulge in more than one pint each. Nigel mentioned that it was 21-00 before he arrived home.
I think we will stick to 10-00 starts for walks in the future.

Walks and Dates August 2025

Wednesday and Saturday Walks.

It is still the holiday season, so I have decided not to suggest specific walks each Wednesday and Saturday. 

Instead I have suggested a few walks to choose from, if you want to walk.

All walks during August will be arranged on request.

One or more short walks a month could be included on request.

However Saturday walks can be arranged on request.

Saturday 2nd August 2025.

No Planned walk

See walk list below for possible walks.

Wednesday 6th August 2025.

Chirk - Offa's Dyke, Two Canal Tunnels and a Castle.

Distance: 9.0 miles. Climb: 800'.
Start: Chirk Centre Car Park. Grid ref: SJ291377 or roadside parking on Ffordd-yr-Orsaf (Station Road) Grid ref: SJ285377.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, Fran, and Nigel . 

Those not walking: .

This walk is taken from Dave berry's booklet “Walks Around the Berwyns and The Ceiriog Valley". It is described as a walk of great variety and explores the attractive undulating countryside around Chirk. At times it follows the Offa's Dyke Footpath. Part of the route follows the Llangollen canal towpath and includes going through a short tunnel we may in fact go through a second tunnel. You may wish to bring a torch, but there is a handrail to guide you.

Saturday 9th August 2025

No Planned walk

See walk list below for possible walks..

Wednesday 13th August 2025.

A Different Moel Famau, Moel Dywyll and Around Ffrith Mountain.

Postponed - weather forecast suggests it will be too hot (>26 Celsius) and humid for our liking.

Distance: 7 - 8 miles. 

Climb: 1600' - 1800'.

Start: Car park area West of Cilcain. Grid ref: SJ170652.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Fran, Mike and Nigel .
Those not walking: .

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "More Walks in the Clwydian Range (Third Edition)."

It is described as an exhilarating  and varied walk to Moel Famau and Moel Dywyll, using some lesser known paths (some even new to us). The route misses out the summit of Moel Dywyll and instead contours around its eastern slopes (no obvious path / track on the OS map.

Saturday 16th August 2025.

Postponed - weather forecast suggests it will still be too hot  and humid for my liking.

Wednesday 20th August 2025.

A Different Moel Famau, Moel Dywyll and Around Ffrith Mountain.

Distance: 7 - 8 miles. 

Climb: 1600' - 1800'.

Start: Car park area West of Cilcain. Grid ref: SJ170652.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Fran, Mike.

Those not walking: Nigel.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "More Walks in the Clwydian Range (Third Edition)."

It is described as an exhilarating  and varied walk to Moel Famau and Moel Dywyll, using some lesser known paths (some even new to us). The route misses out the summit of Moel Dywyll and instead contours around its eastern slopes (no obvious path / track on the OS map.

Saturday 23rd August 2025.

No Planned walk

See walk list below for possible walks..

Wednesday 27th August 2025.

The Alyn Valley and Coed Ddu.

Distance: 7 miles. Climb: 1200'. (8.5 miles. Climb; 1300', if we do the there and back to Hendre).

Start: Car park area West of Cilcain. Grid ref: SJ170652.

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

Those not walking: .

To get to the car park take A541 Mold - Denbigh Road. After Hendre take the road signposted Cilcain. In the centre of Cilcain, at a crossroads turn right (West) and continue West past the church. After about 400 yards take the minor road left. The parking area is about 300 yards along this road, on the right after a few houses. In all about 700 yards from the crossroads in Cilcain.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet More Walks on the Clwydian Range".

It is described as as a walk exploring the attractive varied countryside between Hendre and Cilcain.

We last did this walk around 2015, but then we included Moel Plas-yw and the distance was over 11 miles with a climb of over 2000'', too much for me!

The walk is shorter than usual, but I can't see an easy way to extend the walk without missing out large parts of the described route. We could do a there and back from point 2 on the route to Hendre and this would allow us to experience all of the walk as described.  This would add an extra 1.5 miles and 100' of climb

Saturday 30th August 2025.

No Planned walk

See walk list below for possible walks.

List of Possible Wednesday Walks.

Exploring the Environs of Moel-y-Parc.

Distance: 9 -10 miles. Climb: 1500'.

Start: Aberwheeler.  Layby opposite Bro Lleweni (or in road round the corner to the left). Grid ref: SJ096694.

Leave Chester at 09-00.

Those planning to walk: . 

Those not walking: .

This walk allows us to once again explore areas north and south of Moel-y-Parc. In 2024, we didn't find route finding very easy. Hopefully the next time we do this walk, we will do a little better!

The walk combines two walks in Dave Berry's new booklet "More Walks in the Clwydian Range (Third Edition)".

Melin-y-Wig and Derwen.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 975'.

Start: Boncyn Foel-bach Forest Car Park Grid ref: SJ055520. This is on the B5105 Ruthin to Clawdd Newydd road.
Leave Chester at 09-00. 

Those planning to walk: . 

Those not walking: .

This walk is taken from Lorna Jenner's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd".  I have only done this walk once before starting from this car park and that was more than 10 years ago. It is described as being a varied walk through forest, quiet lanes, including one that was used on a pilgrims' route and an attractive riverside path.

 Part of the route, particularly sections of the riverside path have in the past been rather boggy (Remembered from it being on walks starting from Melin-y-Wig). The section through the forest can be boggy too. The only other thing I remember about this walk is that the final section involves climbing out of the valley up to the car park - not the most ideal way to end a walk.  We may have to dip our boots in disinfectant as we go through th grounds of a chicken farm.

List of Possible Saturday Walks. 

Moel y Garneddd.

Distance: 7- 8 miles.

Climb: 1200'.

Start: Fronfeuno Snowdonia National Park Lakeside Car park Grid ref: SH917351.

Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.

Those planning to walk: . 

Those not walking: .

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn". The walk explores the undulating countryside West of Bala. The route follows a a bridleway up to moorland, eventually crossing Moel y Garneddd at a height of 1170'. We can expect to see superb views as we cross the open moorland. The return route goes through attractive woodland. This is a walk for experienced walkers only and should not be attempted in poor visibility. Careful navigation is required.

Caer, Gai, Cwm Dyfrydwy with an extension over Garth Fawr.

Distance: 9.1 miles. Climb: 1100'.

Start: Roadside parking in Llanuwchllyn on B4403. Park opposite the PC and chapel. Grid ref: SH875302.

Leave Chester 08-30 a.m. 

Those planning to walk: . 

Those not walking: .

This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn". One walk is described as a fascinating walk featuring a Roman fort and historic houses and the other explores both sides of the Dyfrdwy Valley. The optional extension explores the countryside South of Llanuwchllyn, climbing to open moorland around Garth Fawr at a height of 1079'. It returns along the Western side of the Afon Twrch (Cwm Cynllwyd).

Ramshaw Rocks and the Roaches.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 1400’.

Start: Lay-by on West side of Hen Cloud, opposite the track to Windygates. Grid ref: SK006618.

Leave Chester at 08-00.

Those planning to walk: . 

Those not walking: .

Ramshaw Rocks, combined with The Roaches, makes a superb walk, worth repeating on an annual basis.

This walk allows us to explore Ramshaw Rocks seen so many times as we have walked over the Roaches. Ramshaw Rocks from a distance have always looked to be an interesting place in which to walk. This time Ramshaw Rocks will be our main objective with a North to South traverse of the Roaches a bonus towards the end of the walk. If time and legs permit, Hen Cloud may be included as an extension. The route heads North and then North west leading to Well Farm. From Well Farm field paths are used to reach the Churnet Way near Naychurch. The Churnet Way is followed North over Ramshaw Rocks and then leaves the Churnet Way and heads North to visit Black Brook Nature Reserve, After a complete circuit of the Reserve the route drops down to the road South of Newstone Farm. The road is then followed North for about a mile before heading west across Goldstich Moss in to the Black Brook Valley. After crossing the brook on a footbridge the path then rises to Roach End. At Roaches End the main path over the Roaches is followed past the trig point and Doxy Pool back to the start.

Boggy area guaranteed!

Town Brook Hollow, Helmeth Wood and the Pike.

Distance:10 miles; Climb:1500+'.

Start: Church Stretton centre car park (Pay and display). Grid ref:SO454941.

Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: . 

Those not walking: .

This walk combines three short walks taken from Ian R. Jones's booklet "20 Church Stretton Walks". Town Brook Hollow (Ashlet Hill) and the Pike are to the North of Church Stretton and Helmeth Wood is to the South. It may be possible to include a traverse of Hazler Hill with its TV mast.

Exploring the Environs of Moel-y-Parc.

Distance: 9 -10 miles. Climb: 1500'.

Start: Aberwheeler.  Layby opposite Bro Lleweni (or in road round the corner to the left). Grid ref: SJ096694.

Leave Chester at 09-00.

This walk allows us to once again explore areas north and south of Moel-y-Parc. In 2024, we didn't find route finding very easy. Hopefully the next time we do thiswalk, we will do a little better!

The walk combines two walks in Dave Berry's new booklet "More Walks in the Clwydian Range (Third Edition)".

Please feel free to make suggests of walks that you would like to be included.

Please remember, I have a Prayer Meeting at Church on the first Wednesday of each month every, so I will be looking for walks not too far away.

A Stroll along the Greenway between Burton Pont and Denhall Quay 23rd August 2023

Looking towards Net's Café from my parking spot on Station Road.

Looking towards Wales from my parking spot on Station Road.

Looking towards Burton Point from my parking spot on Station Road.

Moel Famau from the Greenway leading to Burton Point.

A small plane in the sky above Burton Marsh.

It's not very often that you see sheep drinking out of a trough.

Flint Castle from the Greenway leading to Burton Point.

A Common pheasant on the look out!

A Beluga XL heading for Hawarden.

The Beluga XL disappearing into the clouds.

It's like Moel Famau, Bindweed is becoming an obligatory photo on each walks.

A Great white egret with Little egrets at Burton Point.

The Little owl at Burton Pont.

Looking towards the Clwydian Hills from the Greenway at Burton Point.

Canada geese flying off Burton Marsh.

Going to seed!

A skein of geese flying in formation.

A Meadow pipit on the rocks.

Geese flying over Burton Marsh.

A juvenile Stonechat on an old boat next to the Greenway near Station Road.

It looks like being a good year for Rowan berries.

Denhall Quay.

A favourite seat of mine.

A good place to sit and take in the view, and realise how blessed you are.

The information board near Denhall Quay, but this is the first time that I have come to realise that there were canals going under the River Dee to the coal seams and the coal mined brought back to Little Neston in starvationer boats.

Distance: 5.0 miles. Climb: Not a lot!

Temperature: 16-20 Celsius. Beaufort Wind Force: 0-1. Light air at most.

A very pleasant morning for a gentle stroll along the Greenway to Burton Point and then back to Station Road and onto Denhall Quay.

This is a well known walk for birdwatchers, and today was no exception, several with telescopes and state of the art cameras.  Cyclists were out in force, I half expected to see Mike road testing his new mega bike!  I did see David Jones, who was in the same year as me, when we were both at HGS.

I resisted the temptation of calling in at Net's Café, although it looked pretty busy each time I went past.

Birds seen or heard today included: Carrion crow, European robin, Rook, Barn swallow, Greylag goose, Canada goose, Cetti warbler, Goldfinch, Meadow pipit, Common whitethroat, Winter wren, Pied wagtail, Common pheasant, Chiffchaff, Stonechat, Little egret, Great white egret, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw and Little owl.

Not many compared with one birder that I spoke to, he had a list of 59 already and was going onto RSPB Burton Mere to spot a few more.

A Different Moel Famau, Ffrith Mountain and Moel Dywyll 20th August 2025

 

First views of Moel Famau from he Cilcain Viewpoint parking area.

St. Mary's Church, Cilcain.

Moel Famau from the Cilcain road.

A welcome yellow sign points to the stile.

Striding out towards Crug Farm.

Natives looking to escape.

The path across the slopes of Ffrith Mountain starts between the two Gorse bushes.

Distant views of Moel Famau from the slopes of Ffrith Mountain.

A signpost points the way from Ffrith Mountain to Moel Famau.

On the multi-use path through Coed Moel Famau.

Heather (Ling) in flower on the approach to Moel Famau.

The signs on the stile leading onto Moel Famau summit plateau.

"It's in English and Welsh, and I can't make out either!"

Offa's Dyke Footpath leading to Moel Dywyll.

Distant views of the Tit Gofal Path across the eastern slopes of Moel Dywyll.

On top of the world?

Well just this bit of Offa's Dyke Footpath.

Bell heather in flower next to the Offa's Dyke Footpath.

Mike waits at the start of the Tir Gofal Path across the slopes of Moel Dywyll.

A Kestrel hovers in front of us.

An enlarged photo of the same Kestrel.

On the Tir Gofal path across the eastern slopes of Moel Dywyll.

On the Tir Gofal path across the eastern slopes of Moel Dywyll.

A brief view of the hovering Kestrel.

Looking over the Heather towards Cilcain.

The reservoir above Garth, taken from the bridle way leading to Plas-newydd.

Final views of Moel Famau, taken from the bridleway leading to Plas-newydd.

Distance: 8.3 miles.
Climb: 1463'
Time: 5 hours 18 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: Around 14.7 – 17.6 Celsius
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 2. Mainly no noticeable wind, but just after lunch it reached a 6.2 m.p.h. Light breeze.
Group: Martyn, Fran and Mike.
The temperature today was much more conducive to walking, in fact at times, it felt quite cold.
We set off from the Cilcain viewpoint car park with a dampness in the air, not quite enough put on waterproofs, although one member of the group did briefly use an umbrella!
The route to the summit, involved a steady climb, taking us on a new path through Coed Moel Famau, before joining the steep path to the top.
Birds seen today were very few and far between, but those seen or heard today included: Woodpigeon, Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Common buzzard, Kestrel, Raven, House martin, Barn swallow and Black billed magpie.

One of the delights of the day was seeing the purple heather across much of the slopes of Moel Famau.
Lunch was taken at the south side of Moel Famau Jubilee Tower, where we sheltered from the cool north easterly wind.
Fruit cake was provided, as it was my birthday last Saturday.
After lunch, we set off along the Offa’s Dyke Footpath towards Moel Dywyll, but left it after 0.6 miles to head for the Tir Gofal Path across the eastern slopes of Moel Dywyll.
This proved to be a delightful stony path, giving good views towards Cilcain, although in the main distant views were not that good, with low lying cloud masking the hill tops.
I am sure we will use this Tir Gofal path in the future.
The final part of the walk took us a along an unclassified track road past a farm called Plas-newydd to the viewpoint road where we started.
Overall, this proved to be a good day for walking, not too hot, no wind and no rain.
A very enjoyable walk, with the bonus that we used a couple paths that I hadn’t explored before.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Glasfryn (Fran’s choice as the driver). Purple Moose’s Cwrw Eryri was the refreshing drink chosen today, with the driver opting for a pot of tea!