Coed Allt-y-tywod, Coed y Garreg, Coed Pen-y-gelli and part of the Gorsedd Round 15 May 2025

Coed Allt-y-tywod - not looking promising for Bluebells.

Coed Allt-y-tywod - this is looking better.

Coed Allt-y-tywod - even better.

Early disappointments - now gone!

On the delightful path through Coed Allt-y-tywod.

Bluebell next to the path just after leaving Coed Allt-y-tywod.

Going through one of several new gates on this walk.

The grass in this field is usually much longer than this.

Bluebells in Coed y Garreg.

Leaving the "Roman" tower / watch tower in Coed y Garreg.

Looking over Cornel cae-celiyn towards Moel Famau.

Sad day for ducks, this pond has dried up!

Early purple orchids near Ffordd Las.

Bluebells in Coed Pen-y-gelli.

More Bluebells in Coed Pen-y-gelli.

Lunch time in Chwarei Pen-y-gelli.

Moel Famau again, taken from the path the Monastery Road

A Welsh poppy next to the path.

Fran's Star of Bethlehem flowers on the roadside on the way back to Gorsedd.

St. Paul's Church, Gorsedd.

Guinea fowl, but they are not on the bird list as they were a garden!

Distance: 8.7 miles. Climb: 909’.
Time: 5 hours 9 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Temperature: 21 Celsius to 27.2 Celsius
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 2. Mainly Light air, although it did reach a 6.2 m.p.h. Light breeze towards the end of the walk.
Group: Martyn, Nigel, Fran and Mike.
This walk is usually the first of our Bluebell Wood walks, but my first Wednesday of the month church prayer meetings, this walk is a week later.
Perhaps a little on the warm side, with lots of Sun, we were thankful to be walking through woodland in the middle of the day.
It was very dry underfoot and much of the ground was rock hard. One pond we went past had no water in at all and all that was left was the cracked mud!
Bluebells were seen in all three woods, but most of they were very pale in colour and didn’t look at their best. I am sure the week of very warn dry days hadn’t helped them.
Lunch was taken in Quarrei Pen-y-gell, our usual lunch spot on this walk.
Birds seen or heard today included: Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Mallard Woodpigeon, Collared dove, Winter wren, Skylark, Barn swallow, Common whitethroat, European robin, House sparrow, Common chaffinch and Blackcap. Nigel’s Merlin app did suggest that an unusual bird all was attributed to a Lesser whitethroat.
We arrived back at the car, having had a good walk, and looking forward to a pint of Lees bitter at the Brit in Halkyn. Alas we were to be disappointed, we were served three pints of bitter that were well past their best, and the vinegar taste made them undrinkable. Alas they didn’t have another barrel of Lees bitter and the only alternative was the Lees Smooth. This wasn’t much better than the beer we had sent back, it was far too cold, had very little flavour and is a “Bitter” I will NEVER drink again. I should have joined Nigel and had a pint of lemonade or coke instead!

Walks and Date May 2025

Saturday Walks.

I have decided that it has become pointless for me to plan Saturday walks in advance as most weeks I am the only one around.

However Saturday walks can be arranged on request.

One short walk a month could be included on request.

Saturday 3rd May 2025.

Traeth Lafan and Its Foothills.

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

Start: Abergwyngeryn Free Car Park Grid ref: SH0652728. Post code: LL33 0LF

PC (opens about 09-30) nearby and a cafe at the outdoor centre that allows walkers to use the toilets (opens earlier than PC.)

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

hose planning to walk: Martyn, Mike.

Those not walking: .

This walk taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks On the North Wales Coast". The Traeth Lafan and it Foothills. This walk is an annual favourite and has in the past given us some wonderful experiences, especially in Winter trampling through soft fluffy knee deep snow, that didn't stick or wet our legs.  You never know we may get some  snow, this time too. It should be worthwhile bringing binoculars with you as we may visit The Spinnies Nature Reserve on the way back to our car.

This walk is described as walk of contrasting coastal and upland scenery with good views from the higher points on the North Wales path.

 This time we will use the road to The Spinnies, and avoid the unpleasant smelly muddy experience of taking the path through the farm yard,

We may see a Kingfisher at The Spinnies, but that often depends on whether the tide is coming.

Wednesday 7th May 2025.

Tegg's Nose and Macclesfield Forest.

Distance: 8.9 miles. Climb: 1913'.
Start: Tegg's Nose Country Park Car park. Pay and Display. Grid ref: SJ950732.
Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m. 

Those planning to walk: Martyn (I will drive), .

Those not walking: .

It only takes about an hour to get there (as long as there re no road issues!.

We last did his walk in May 2021 when the Bluebells were out in Macclesfield Forest.  Hopefully they will be today.
This walk is taken from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire". It is described as a varied walk with good views from Tegg's Nose. We will visit Tegg's Nose first, rather than at the end of the walk. The walk is also described as an undulating walk exploring the countryside on the edge of the Peak District. This is a walk that we have come to like and regularly appears on the list but normally in Winter. It is useful to bring binoculars just in case we get a chance to see the Summer visiting bird.

Saturday 10th May 2025.

Pendle Hill From Barley.

By request this is a different route up Pendle Hill.

Distance: 7-8 miles; Climb: 1600'

Start: Barley Car Park and Picnic Site. Grid ref: SD82334031. Closest Post Code: BB129JT

Leave Chester 08-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, Nigel.

Those not walking: ,

Starting from Barley will give us a different approach to Pendle Hill's trig point on Big End. The described route takes the steepest path on the Pendle Way directly yo the summit plateau.  However we have the choice to take a longer more gentle approach by following the path that we usually use for descent. The route from the trig point takes us on the Jubilee Trail down Ogden Clough and on past the Upper Ogden Reservoir. The stream in  Ogden Clough has to be crossed twice, but there is no mention of any footbridges! Hopefully the stream won't be too wide or deep, if we have to ford them!

At the top of the Lower Ogden Reservoir, the route takes  us through Fell Wood, leading to New Church in Pendle.

The final part of the route uses woodland paths, field paths and a green lane back to the start.

Wednesday 14th May 2025.

Coed Allt-y-Tywod, Coed y Garreg, Coed Pen-y-gelli and more

Distance: 7 -10 miles. Climb: 700’.

Start: Roadside parking at Lloc. If approaching from Holywell on the A5026, turn left by the public house (now a private house) into St Asaph Road. Park on left. If approaching on the A5026 from its nearest junction with the A55 (Prestatyn junction), Turn right in front of the former public house (now a private house) into St Asaph Road. This is just after the Pant Y Wacco sign and the road starts to bear left. St Asaph Road is one way and can only be approached from then A5026.

Grid ref: SJ145765.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m. 

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

Those not walking: ,

This is one of our annual Bluebell Wood walks. Usually done in May, but some people have predicted the Bluebells will be aabout two weeks earlier than usual.  It is a figure of eight walk based on Lloc. The walk includes parts of two walks taken from Dave Berry's booklet “Walks around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain."

As this is a figure of eight walk, there are plenty of opportunities to shorten the walk if desired

Saturday 17th May 2025.

No planned walk - see below for a list of possible walks.

Wednesday 21st May 2025.

Gronant, Big Pool N.R., Around Talacre Abbey 

and Coed Bell.

Distance: 7-8 miles.
Climb: 1250’
Start: Gronant Dunes Car Park on Shore Road, Lower Gronant. This is off the Coast Road (A548), signposted Presthaven Sand and Gronant Sand Dunes. Grid ref: SJ090837.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
Those not walking:  
When we visited Coed Bell in May 2024, we were impressed by the display of Bluebells, probably the best show of the year.
The walk explores the low hills at the northern end of the Clwydian Hills, but starts along the coast before heading past Abbey View Caravan Park. We will probably make a short detour to visit Big Pool Nature reserve, before climbing  above the site of Talacre Abbey and onto to the track past Home Farm. We usually have lunch opposite Home Farm, where we can take advantage of the stone wall as perching spots. 

After lunch we will visit Coed Bell, hopefully with lots of Bluebells, before descending through Gronant and back to the start.

Saturday 24th May 2025.

No planned walk - see below for a list of possible walks.

Wednesday 28th May 2025.

Eglwyseg Escarpment and Trevor Rocks.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1200’. Can be made shorter if need be.
Start: Off road parking on the Panorama road just east of the monument. Grid ref: SJ247426.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn,  . 
Those not walking: Mike
This must be one of the best walks in the Llangollen area, especially on a sunny day. This is a walk that makes you feel like you’re on top of the world with superb views in all directions, including the Dee Valley, Dinas Bran, the Llantysilio Mountains and the Berwyns. This is one of my favourite walks and is always on the list at least once every year.
We usually do this walk in mid-week, so it will be a change to do it on a Saturday but hopefully everyone else will be staying at home to watch the coronation!
At this time of the year, we could still hear and see Cuckoos. 

Cuckoo reportedly arrive in the valley at the beginning of May, so hopefully we won't be disappointed.

Saturday 31st May 2025.
No planned walk - see below for a list of possible walks.

Suggestions for Saturday Walks.

Bollington to Bowstones.

Distance: 9-10 miles.

Climb:1800' at a guess.

Start: Pool Bank Car Park, (B5090) Palmerston Street, Bollington (Opposite the Spinners Arms). Post Code SK10 5PW.

Grid ref: SJ93687789

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

This walk is taken from Graham Beech's book "East Cheshire Walks", and is the second walk from this book that we will undertake. He describes this walk as an exhilarating walk to the Bowstones, and is a popular walk. It includes a fair portion of Lyme Park and sections of the Gritstone Trail. He describes the walk as strenuous, but I think we can still cope, even though it is over fifteen years since we last did it.

Bluebell Woods Around Parbold. 

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 800'.

Start: Hunter's Hill Quarry Nature Reserve on Bannister Lane WN6 9QD. Grid ref: SD503123
It is 48 miles from Saltney, so should be a little less from Chester and should take just over an hour to get there.

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

This walk is a walk that we haven't done for a few years, but each time we have the Bluebell have been superb. This walk is on the East of Parbold, and visits up to ten different woods, After the"beast from the East" the Bluebells are blooming a little later than expected but hopefully they will be still in flower.  The walk also includes part of the Leeds - Liverpool Canal as far as Appley Bridge. This is a walk that we have done a few times now.    Last time the Bluebells and wild garlic in Fairy Glen were quite stunning.  In the past we have seen Brown hares, so hopefully we will today too. Bring binoculars with you just in case. There is no description, just the OS map.

Wales.

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.

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. 

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).

Ffrith Mountain and the Alyn Gorge.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 1010'.
Start: Lay-by on the Cadole to the Pantymwyn road. Grid ref: SJ205627. Approaching Loggerheads on the A494, Mold to Ruthin Road and after passing the former Rainbow Inn (now a smalll new housing estate), take the next road on the right just before the newsagent. The lay-by is almost immediately on the right by the telephone kiosk.

Leave Chester: 09-00 a.m.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's Book " More Walks in the Clwydian Hills" He describes it as an excellent walk exploring beautiful valleys and foothills. We usually start at Loggerheads, but as it is £5 to park for more than 4 hours we will start up the road in Cadole.

Barley, Pendle Hill and Ogden Clough 10th May 2025

The Pendle Inn - our hostelry of choice fr the after walk meal and drinks.

The path leading to Pendle Hill.

We can only agree!

Pendle Hill ahead.

A Mistle  thrush near Brown House.

The start of the path across the flank of Pendle Hill.

Looking south east towards the reservoirs.

At he start of the gentle climb up to the Beacon /Big End on Pendle Hill.

Dinosaurs at the trig point.

Nigel's selfie at the trig point on Pendle Hill.

_In his words "It's the nearestwe could get to the trig point."

At the Ogden Clough Path Way marker stone.

The path leading to Ogden Clough.

Bog cotton near the path leading to Ogden Clough.

On open moorland.

Efforts to preserve the peat moorland.

Distant views of a Red grouse.

The start of our descent into Ogden Clough.

Ogden Clough.

Ogden Clough again.

"Can we take the path to the Nick of Pendle?"

Crossing the stream in Ogden Clough again

The Upper Ogden Reservoir.

Bluebells in the wood south of the track from the Upper Ogden Reservoir.

More Bluebells.

The bridge, steps and footbridge that we should have taken to et to Fell Wood.

The path through Fell Wood.

Looking over Newchurch in Pendle.

The delightful woodland path north east of Newchurch in Pendle.

Distant views of Pendle Hill from the path leading to Hey's Lane.

Hey's Lane leading to Barley.

Distance: 7.7 miles. Climb: 1640’.Time: 5 hours 48 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.3 m.p.h.Temperature: 7.2 Celsius to 22.5 Celsius
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 4. Mainly Light air, although it did gust to a 12.6 m.p.h. Moderate Breeze at the Big End trig point on Pendle Hill
Group: Martyn, Mike and Nigel.
This was probably the best weather conditions we have experienced on any of our Pendle Hill walks.
Perhaps a little on the warm side, with lots of Sun. Definitely a day for wearing a sun hat and putting on the sun block.
Birds seen or heard today: Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Mistle thrush, Mallard, Woodpigeon, Winter wren, Skylark, Meadow pipit, Eurasian curlew, Barn swallow, Common pheasant, Common kestrel and Red grouse.
As ever, this proved to be a poplar hill for walkers, sponsored events and the annual 14-mile Pendle Hill race.
We first encountered the fell runners as we headed down the path to Ogden Clough. This slowed us own as e had to frequently stop a step aside to allow the fell runners to take priority.
We stopped for lunch at 11-55 when we had only walked about 3 miles. This must be a record for HH a HH walk. Lunch was taken just after crossing the stream in Ogden Clough for the first time. No picnic table today, just sitting on the grassy bank above the stream.
The path down Ogden Clough was clear to follow and gave dramatic views down the steep sided clough as far as Upper Ogden Reservoir.
We did however, make one mistake, when we crossed a stile, that led to the wrong footbridge and a difficult climb up bank to Fell wood. We won’t make the same mistake the next time descend Pendle Hill down Ogden Clough!
The surprise of the day was seeing lots of Bluebells in the wood south of the track from the Upper Ogden Reservoir.
The path from Newchurch took us through a wooded area, that gave us some welcome shade.
He final part of the walk took us along a stony greenway that eventually joined the road in Barley, a short distance from the car park.
We arrived back at the car, having had a superb walk, but feeling much more tired than we expected.
However, we were soon revived at the Pendle Inn where we indulged our self with a pint or two and ate one of their Pendle Pies before setting off home.