Llangower, Is-Afon Cwm Rhyd-wen 29th September 2007

Richard on the open moor section.

The forest challenge!

The view across Llyn Tegid to Arrenig Fawr.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.3 miles; Climb: 1541 ';Time: 4 hours 54 minutes;
Walking Average: 3.7 m.p.h. (This seems a little too high);
Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h. (This is more like it!).
Group: Martyn, Richard, Sylvia and Dave J.

This walk turned out to be a little more challenging than we expected! We started off with low lying clouds and mist depriving us of the distance views and the GPS signals difficult to pick up. The temperature was rather cool at the start, but soon felt warm enough as we started to climb a little. A pleasant path contoured round the edge of a forest before emerging on the hill side of Bryniau Goleu with its fine views across Llyn Tegid. A surprising stretch across more open moor followed (giving some good views of a Brown Hare running up the path). We then reached an area of wood in the process of being cut down and where the first of our route finding difficulties began. The path through the wood disappeared and we had to drop down to a forest road and continue the described walk further up the valley. More problems were to arise as we entered the forest near Ffridd Bach. We turned left on a way-marked path, but we should have gone between the farm buildings before turning left. Forest adventures of a kind never to be repeated , had to be endured. We had to climb over and under and around fallen trees before emerging on a path near the edge of the forest. Again we made the mistake of turning left and heading for open country. We should have turned right to relocate our intended route. The one bonus of making this mistake was to enter the beautiful Cwm Rhyd wen and the sun from then on came out and the distant views became clear. The best views of the day were to be left until we had nearly returned to Llangower. These views were across Llyn Teg to Arrenig Fawr and then towards Bala.

Birds heard and seen today included: Meadow pipit, Stonechat; Carrion crow, Raven, Buzzard, Black grouse (most likely), Ring ousel, Kestrel, Swallow, Robin and Blackbird.

A pleasant pint of Purple Moose's Moel y Guest bitter was quaffed at the Cholomendy Arms.

This is a walk to be repeated, but possible in reverse to see if route finding in the forest section is a little easier to find!

Dates and Walks September 2007

Updated 28th September 2007.

Saturday 1st September 2007

North West of Blaenau Festiniog.

Distance: 8 miles; Climb: 1900'.

Start: At the top of the Crimea Pass on the A470, 2 miles north of Blaenau Festiniog.

Grid ref: SH701488. The Nuttalls say it is in a lay-by, but I think that a car park has been created now.

This walk covers five of the Nuttall peaks: Allt-fawr, Moel Druman, Ysgafell Wen, Ysgafell Wen North Top and Ysgafell Wen Far North Top.

I've only done this walk once before on a day in August that was really too hot for walking. Route finding can be quite difficult, and last time tracks weren't easy to find. Expect the distance covered to be greater than the stated eight. We also did Chnict as a there and back extension. I don't envisage doing it this time, but we can decide finally on the day.

Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.

Thursday 6th September 2007

Coed-y-Felin, Moel y Gaer, Moel Ffragnallt and Halkyn Mountain.

Distance: 11 - 12 miles (can easily be made shorter); Climb: 1500+'.

Start: Coed-y Felin, Hendre. Grid ref: SJ196678.

This combines up to three of Dave Berry's walks from his booklet " Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain."

Saturday 8th September 2007

All Around The Wrekin.

Distance:8 - 9 miles. Climb: 1585'.

Start: In a lay-by/roadside parking area adjacent to two resevoirs (not easy to see!) 0.6 miles south west of Cluddley. This is just outside Wellington. Grid ref: SJ638095.

Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.

This is walk that we attempted last year, but had to abandon half way round due to the heavy rain. The weather forecast is good, do we should make it all the way round this time.

After walk drinks will probably be at the Cock Hotel, Wellington, a venue used by Telford supporters.

Thursday 13th September 2007

Gladlys, Nant-y-Flint and the hills East of Holywell.

Distance: 11 miles. Climb: 1500+' at a guess.

Start: Public car park adjacent to The Stag Inn, Bagillt. Grid ref: SJ219753.

To get to the start take the A548 Flint - Rhyl road (bottom coast road). At Bagillt turn left off the dual carriage way and then turn right towards the centre. The car park is on the right just after the Stag Inn.

This combines two of Dave Berry's walks from his booklet "Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain". These walks offer some excellent views across the estuary towards the Wirral and beyond. We have done both walks before, but not together.

Leave Chester 9-15 a.m.

Saturday 15th September 2007

The Arans - the main ridge.

Distance: 11-12 miles; Climb: 3400'.

Start: Cwm Cwyarch. Grid ref: SH854185.

This is a walk that many of us have done several times before, and is the route taken from the Nuttalls book. This is an excellent walk, but does need good conditions to enjoy it at its best.

Leave Chester 8-00 a.m. Meet at the Love Lane car park at Mold.

To get to Cwm Cywarch take the A494 Bala to Dolgellau road. Just before Dolgellau, turn left on to the B4416 to Brithdir. Follow this through the village to the A470 road. Here turn left, quite a difficult hill start turn. At the Cross Foxes keep left for Dinas Mawddwy. After about five miiles turn left in the village of Dinas Mawddwy. At the pub in Dinas Mawddwy turn left (probably signposted Bala. The small road to Cwm Cywarch is on the left after about a mile. (It is the second road on the left and signposted Cwm Cywarch).

Thursday 20th September 2007

Pincyn Llys and Clocaenog.

Distance: 9 - 10 miles; Climb: 1500' + at a guess.

Start: Cyffyliog. Grid ref: SJ060578.

Leave Chester 9-15 a.m. and meet at the riverside car park in Ruthin. We need to take as few cars as possible to the start point, since the roadside parking in the village of Cyffyliog is very limited.

Saturday 22nd September 2007

The Roaches.

Distance: 11-13 miles; Climb: 1500'.

Start: Tittesworth Reservoir picnic site and Visitors Centre; Grid ref: SK994603.

This walk is becoming a regular on our walks list. This is another walk requested by Celia, hopefully she will be back in time from her holidays to be able to join us.

Leave Chester at 8-30 a.m.

Thursday 27th September 2007

Llyn Gweryd, Limestone Pastures, The Alun Valley and Moel y Waun.

Distance: 12 miles; Climb: 1500'+ at a guess.
Start: Car park in the centre of Llandegla. Grid ref: SJ196524.

Leave Chester 9-15 a.m. and meet in the Llandegla village car park (adjacent to the bus shelter on the right in the centre of the village).

This combines two of Dave Berry's walks from his booklet "Walks in the Clwydian Hills". They are walks that we have done before, but probably not together.

Saturday 29th September 2007

Is-Afon and Cwm Glyn.

Distance: 11-12 miles; Climb: 1550+'.

Start: Llangower lakeside car park (south side of Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake). Grid ref: SH903321.
Leave Chester: 8-15 a.m. and meet at Llangower car park.

This combines two walks taken from Dave Berry's new booklet "Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn". This is the first of several walks that I hope we will complete that have been taken from this booklet.

Llandegla and Llanarmon Yn Ial 27 September 2007

Celia and Sue at the biggest ladder stile ever encountered on our walks!

The church at Llanarmon yn Ial, But who is in the pulpit?

The view from the lunch spot.

Walk stats: Distance: 12.3 miles; Climb: 1540';

Time: 5 Hours 51 minutes; Walking average: 2.6 m.p.h.; Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Richard; Celia, Annie, Dave J, Michel and Sue P.

This relatively low level walk began in dry, sunny bur rather cool conditions. The weather became warmer as the day progressed and lunch was enjoyed in glorious sunshine, so much so that I decided to change in to shorts! This was quite a varied walk through limestone pastures, although at times notices that reminded us "the right of passage and repassage to a destination did not entitle you to picnic on or near the footpath!" did make us feel a little unwanted. As we arrived at Offa's Dyke Footpath ans Moel y Waun the views towards Arans and Snowdonia became quite extensive. Blackberries weren't as abundant today, although one or two of us did manage to sample a few before lunch. It should be the time for collecting mushrooms, but few seem to be about. However Michel did manage to find some good field mushrooms while we waiting for the others to come down from the weather station on Moel y Waun.

Quite a few butterflies were seen and one Cricket walked across our path on the way to Llyn Gweryd.

Birds seen or heard today included, Kestrel;, Buzzard, Robin, Blackbird; Chaffinch, Green woodpecker, Woodpidgeon, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Grey wagtail, Lesser spotted woodpecker, House sparrow, Blue tit and Fieldfare (the first winter returning birds of the year).

A pleasant pint or two from the Cottage Brewery from Somerset wa enjoyed at the New Inn at Pontybodkin.

Pincyn Llys and Clocaenog 20 September 2007

A walk that I missed!

Walk stats: 12+ miles (at a guess!).

Group: Richard, Annie Hammond (making a come back), Michel and Sue P, Dave and Sylvia J, Fran and Tito.

The walk, as in the past, proved a challenge in route finding, particularly in the area of Clocaenog Forest and the Pincyn Llys Memorial. However persistence payed off and the Memorial was reached, where lunch was taken. The walk was a little longer than expected. Following forest roads do seem to go on for ever at times!

Birds seen or heard: None notified, perhaps they were hiding!

After walk refreshments were taken at the Glasfryn (a choice made by consensus I believe!).

The Roaches 22 September 2007

Another walk that I missed!

Picture by the trig point on the Roaches.

Walk stats: Distance: 11 - 12 miles (The estimate made direct from the walk deacription by Mark Richards.)

Group: Richard, Celia, Sylvia and Dave J.

A good walk with only a short burst of rain towards the end. Mostly the weather was warm and for some reason there were hardly any other people about. The start point was as you suggested, on one of the the lay bys below the Roaches.

Don't know the stats as none of us had a GPS but I guess the mileage was around 12 miles.

Lunched on the hillside near to the rare breeds farm.

Birds seen or heard:- Stonechat, Wheatear, Kestrel, carion crows, House martins, Bluetits.

For refreshment where else but the Wilkes Head, where Hartington Bitter, lager (guess who) and crisps were consumed with relish!

The Arans from Cwm Cywarch 15th September 2007

Looking down Hengwm towards Cwm Cywarch from the slopes of Drysgol.

Cwm Cywarch.

At the summit of Aran Benllyn.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.6 miles; Climb: 3887'.
Time: 6 hours 57 minutes; Walking average: 1.8 m.p.h.; Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Richard, Michel and Sue P., Sylvia and Dave J., Fran and Tito.

This was one of the best walks completed this year, both in terms of the challenges it presented and the views that were on offer. The weather was kind, but a little too warm and humid at the start. However later a cool refreshing wind made the temperature for walking better. Most of the time we were in sun, although on the higher up the clouds frequently brushed the summit tops giving us views and then snatching them from us. Fortunately the deprivation from the views was only for very short periods. On this occasion the ascent was easier than the descent with the path in to the valley being particularly telling on the aged knees!
This ridge always gives excellent views and today the views towards Cadair Idris, the Rhinogs, Snowdonia, the Arrenigs and the hills of mid and South Wales (probably Plynlimmon and the the Brecon Beacons) was superb.

Birds seen today included: Buzzard, Raven, Meadow pipit, Goldfinch, Carrion crow, Swallow and Pied wagtail.

Richard and Dave J. decided that the planned walk wasn't demanding enough and decided to add an extra peak to their list, climbing Glasgwm on the other side of the valley in the tome it took the rest of us to descend in to the valley! This probably increased their climb to over 5000' and their mileage to about 13.
Refreshments were enjoyed at the Cholomendy Arms at Cadole where pints of Wainwright Ale and Three Feathers Bitter were quaffed.

Gadlys, Nant y Flint and East of Holywell 13 September 2007

View across the Dee Estuary.

One of the many small harbours between Flint and Mostyn.

The new leader of the group!

Walk stats: Distance: 12.5 miles; Climb: 1534';

Time: 6 hours 37 minutes; Walking average: 2.5 m.p.h.; Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Richard, Sue and Michel P, Sylvia and Dave J, Fran and Tito.

This walk started in the centre of Bagillt at a slightly later than usual start, taking in to account the pre-4-00 p.m. curfew at the Britannia Inn. The numbers today were swelled by the return from holidays of some of the members. Weather was good, if somewhat too warm and humid at the start, but ended in glorious sunshine. This turned out to be a very much up and down walk, but frequently gave us unexpected and magnificent views across the Dee Estuary and beyond. We couldn't quite see Blackpool tower, but Liverpool Cathedral could clearly be seen.

Lunch was taken a little earlier than usual when the leader of the group gave in to the chorus of demands for a lunch stop. This walk isn't the best of walks for suitable lunch spots, and this was as good as we were going to get without continuing for another few miles.

The walk ended with the challenge of getting around a maize field, but thankfully the difficult stile by the new housing estate at the west end of Bagillt had been removed. Damsons, blackberries and for some Slow berries slowed the group down at times, but the flavour of the Damsons were at their best and not to be missed.

Birds seen or heard today: Herring gull, Robin, Carrion crow, Goldfinch, Buzzard and Raven.
This was Sue P's first walk after escaping from UHS prison, and kindly treated us all to an excellent pint of J.W.Lees bitter at the Britannia Inn.

Around The Wrekin 8 September 2007

The summit of Little Hill. Just where are the views?


The trig point and toposcope on THe Wrekin.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.9 miles; Time: 5 hours 18 minutes;
Walking average: 2.5 m.p.h.; Overall average: 1.5 m.p.h.;
Group: Martyn, Richard and Dave J.

This turned out to be a shorter than usual walk for a Saturday with relatively good weather on offer, but it was initially planned to take in to account the fact that our teacher friends had just had their first week back at work. In the invent none came along!

Much of the walk involved forest trails, the first in Ercall Woods, an area of Sessile Oak Wood. Views on this walk were limited until we reached the summit plateau on The Wrekin. Here the views were excellent, revealing the very flat nature of the immediate hinterland and the Long Mynd, Stipperstones, Care Caradoc and The Lawler on the skyline to the west. Initially we extended the walk to include Little Hill to the west of The Wrekin, expecting it to be a good vantage point, but it wasn't. The tall trees around the summit made the steep ascent along the Shropshire Way unworthy of the effort put i to get there!

Birds seen or heard included: Swallow, Mallard, House martin, Blackbird, Blue tit, Carion Crow, raven, Buzzard, Wren and a Hobby. The Hobby was seen on The Wrekin, probably there because of the abundance of House martins feeding on insects around the telecommunications mast. It quickly headed off eastwards in the direction of Wellington.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Cock Hotel in Wellington, an excellent hostelry with plenty of character - 7 real ales and 1 cider on offer. Hobson's bitter seemed to be their house beer and the cider on this occasion was Moles Black Rat. Other beers enjoyed were Coalport Dodgers Mild brewed by the Worfield Brewery and Deuchars IPA. This hotel is certainly worthy of its CAMRA Good Beer Guide entry, and the slight detour to get to it.

Coed y Felin, Moel Ffagnalt and Moel y Gaer 6 September 2007

Where are we?

Where's my mast?

Is it on view now?

Walks stats: distance: 11.3 miles; Time: 5 hours 49 minutes;
Walking average: 2.6 m.p.h.; Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h..

Group: Martyn, Richard, Ave and Sylvia J.

Overall this is one of may favourite walks around the Halkyn area, especially when the weather was as good as it was today. Visiting three minor summits, Moel Ffagnallt, Halkyn Mountain and Moel y Gaer, giving excellent views to the Clwydians and even Blackpool Tower and beyond just adds to the memories.

Birds seen and heard: Buzzard, Nuthatch, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Kestrel, Meadow pipit and Stonechat.

A Brown Hare was also seen by some on the slopes of Moel Ffagnallt.

This slightly longer than usual walk did however allow us to enjoy the delights of a pint of J.W.Lees bitter and a few free apples at the Britannia Inn and Halkyn.

I think in future we will have to start a little later to ensure that we don't have to wait for the new opening time of 4-00 p.m.!

The Hills North West of Blaenau Ffestiniog 1st September 2007

The approach to Ysgafell Wen North Top.


Walk stats: Distance: 10.3 miles; Climb: 2672'; Time: 6 hours 42 minutes;

Walking average: 2.0 m.p.h.; Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.;

Group: Martyn, Richard, Dave and Sylvia J.

This walk was more challenging than we expected. To start with the original car parking area was closed off due to road works so we had to start just over a mile further down the hill. Secondly much of the walk was on pathless terrain tramping through tussocky grass with hidden little streams. Nevertheless this was a good walk, and once the slight drizzle had finished around lunch time, the views of Snowdonia got better and better. A coolish wind accompanied us for most of the walk. Following the route description by the Nuttalls was also a little confusing at times. Despite this all planned tops were scaled. This rather remote and little visited area showed the character of wild Wales at its best. Lakes of various sizes littered this moorland area. Birds seen or heard included: Choughs (probably the bird of the day), Kestrel, Buzzard, Grey wagtail, Meadow pipit and Pied wagtail. The best sighting of the day was the little colony of Sundew spotted by Dave J as we descended the valley close to the Afon Ledr.

Arriving back at the car, we encountered a couple with a deaf Greyhound cross that had been a rescue dog. He seemed a nice enough dog, but he just seemed to ignore us!

A very pleasant pint or two of Bateman's XB bitter was enjoyd at the Fox in Ysceifiog.