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.
The are no more last such Wednesdays in 2023 is this month.
The are no more last such Wednesdays in 2023 is this month.
the next such Wednesadys are 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 theirr intentions as soon as you have made your decision.
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.
Saturday 2nd December 2023.
The Sandstone Trail - Beeston and Peckforton.
Postponed until Saturday 15th December 2023 due to the weather forecast inicating that road conditions could be very icy.
Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 700'. Start: Pay and display car park at Beeston Castle. Grid ref: SJ540591. The Pay and Display machine only starts at 10-00.
Leave Chester at 09-30 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike .
Those not walking:
In the past we have done this walk,as part of a series of walks along the Sandstone trail. It involves Walk 6 and Walk 7 from Carl Rogers' book "Circular Walks on the Sandstone Trail". When done together it was about 10 miles, but last time we did it it was only 8 miles.I will probably do the same this time.
Wednesday 6th December 2023.
The Trent and Mersey Canal, Great Budworth and More.
Start: Marbury Country Park car Park (Pay and Display £2-50 last time). Grid ref: SJ652763.
Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Nigel, Mike, Fran.
Those not walking: Sue and Michel
The main 7 mile walk is taken from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire". This is described as a varied walk with plenty of historic interest, including the Anderton Boat Lift.. The extra mileage will be made by exploring the Anderton Nature Park, Marshall's Wood, Carey Park, Ashton's Flash and Neumann's Flash. Bring binoculars with you if you can.
Saturday 9th December 2023.
Llandegla, Llyn Cyfynwy and Graianrhyd.
Postponed due to a bad weather forecast.
Distance: 8-9 miles; Climb:1250'.Start: Llandegla village car park opposite the primary school and Post Office adjacent to the bus stop. Grid ref:SJ197525.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m
Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
Those not walking: .
These two walks are taken from Carl Rogers' book "Walking in the Clwydian Hills". One walk is described as an excellent walk which combines the craggy limeston escarpment of Graig with its wide views of the Clwydian Range and the flat moors of Llandegla. The other walk is described as a pleasant walk on parts of Offa's Dyke Footpath and visits Llyn Cyfynnwy with its delightful (my word) views.
These two walks are taken from Carl Rogers' book "Walking in the Clwydian Hills". One walk is described as an excellent walk which combines the craggy limeston escarpment of Graig with its wide views of the Clwydian Range and the flat moors of Llandegla. The other walk is described as a pleasant walk on parts of Offa's Dyke Footpath and visits Llyn Cyfynnwy with its delightful (my word) views.
Wednesday 13th December 2023.
Graig Fawr from Prestatyn via the North Wales Path and Return via Offa's Dyke Path.
Distance:9-10 miles; Climb: 750'.Start: Prestatyn beach car park. Grid ref: SJ068840. There is a large car park by the toilet block, just before the beach car park. The last time we started at Barkby Beach,
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Fran. Mike, Ed, .
Those not walking: Nigel.
This is a walk that I have done many times before and always enjoy. The route uses the North Wales Path and Offa's Dyke path to link up with the walk from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Clwydian Hills".Saturday 16 December 2023.
Around Llyn Trawsfynnyd.
Cancelled due to the closure of a footbridge across the lake, resulting in quite a long road detour.
See below for the replacement walk.
Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Start: Trawsfynydd Cafe and Fishing Permit Car Park, just off the A470 down the road to the Power Station. Grid ref: SH696383.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
Those not walking:
This is another walk that Ed has found. It is in a walk that is totally new to me, so I will enjoy exploring this area.
It is described as a fine 8 mile walk with spectacular views in places. The walk goes round the lake in a clockwise direction, heading South towards the village of Trawsfynnydd. It involves a small section of the A470, but doing the walk this way round gets the road section over quite early in to the walk. Thankfully it is also on a wide footpath. After this the route heads towards the lake and crosses what is described as a unique footbridge. The route on the West side of the lake no, looks as though it may be interesting in terms of path finding, whilst the section on the North side is described as going through as a swampy section, so this might be challenging too!
Replacement Walk.
The Sandstone Trail - Beeston and Peckforton.
Start: Pay and display car park at Beeston Castle. Grid ref: SJ540591. The Pay and Display machine only starts at 10-00.Leave Chester at 09-30 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn,
Those not walking:
In the past we have done this walk,as part of a series of walks along the Sandstone trail. It involves Walk 6 and Walk 7 from Carl Rogers' book "Circular Walks on the Sandstone Trail". When done together it was about 10 miles, but last time we missed out part of the walk on the northern side of the canal that made the walk 8 miles.We will probably do the same this time.
Wednesday 20th December 2023.
A Great Orme Walk in Search of Seals!
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, Nigel, Fran, Ed.
Those not walking: Mike, 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 any of the group wishes to use the facilities at the summit.
Low tide is at about 10-45, s we should hve a good chance of seeing seals.
Saturday 23rd December 2023.
No walk planned.
Contact me if you decide you want a walk a walk to be arranged.
Wednesday 27th December 2023.
The Environs of Hawarden and Hawarden Park.
At the moment, the weather doesn't look promising.
Heavy rain and strong winds forecast for most of the day
Postponed due to heavy rain forecast for the whole of the day.
Distance: 4-5 miles. Climb: 440'.
Start: Tinkersdale Car Park, Hawarden. Grid ref: SJ315656.
At the fountain, take the A550 southward. The car park is on the left.
Leave Chester at 10-00 to meet at the start at about 10-30.
This is a walk suitable for getting the legs going if you haven't done much walking recently.
It is the same walk that we did in August, so most of the group will remember it.
Last time we exended the walk a little by going into the grounds of Hawarden Park.
Some of the paths can be quite muddy after rain.
Those not walking: Mike,.
Saturday 30th December 2023.
Brickfield Pond Nature Reserve and Both Sides of the Afon Clwyd.
Postponed due to bad weather.
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.
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 12-45, .9 m / 29.2'.
This means we should get good views of Wintering visiters that come to this river / estuary , especially on the return along the west side of the river.
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.
