Halkyn Mountain and Moel Ffagnallt 30th July 2009

Trying to make friends with the new occupiers of Halkyn Old Hall. Descending from the summit of Halkyn Mountain during the heaviest shower of the day.

On the road through Moel-y-crio, braving the second of the day's ten minute heavy showers!

Is this the last of the Summer rain?

The end of lunch at the Millenium Topograph on Moel Ffagnallt.

Walk stats:Distance:9.3 miles; Climb:1245'.

Time:4 hours 10 minutes; On the move walking average:2.5 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:2.2 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Sylvia and Dave J., Gordon, Tim, Sue and Michel.

It's always good to start and finish a walk from our friendly local. not to be put off by the threat of morning showers, we were soon put to the test and after only half an hour the water proofs were donned by some of us to be removed ten minutes later. Setting across Halkyn Mountain we were in sunshine all the way to the summit trig point, but here we had to dive for our waterproofs yet again. This time even Tim's overtrousers got an airing or should I say a soaking? This time it was the heaviest shower of the day, but like the rest of them it only lasted for a short time. Despite the showers we still had plenty of good views for most of the round. Lunch was taken at 12-10, surprisingly early to most of the group. Lunch was taken at the Moel Ffagnallt Memorial cairn, and during lunch we experienced the last of the day's showers. After lunch we again strolled across Halkyn Moors, first to Rhes-y-Cae, through the old lead mining area towards the radio masts at Halkyn. The last stretch was through Castle Wood and into the Water Buffalo field protected by an electric fence, not usually on when the field is empty, but one member of the group can testify to its effectiveness!

Birds seen or heard today included:House sparrow, Coal tit, Blackbird, Carrion crow, Raven, Buzzard, Kestrel, Stonechat, Meadow pipit, Swift, Swallow, House martin, Goldfinch, Willow warbler and Yellowhammer (we seemed to stumble on a hot spot for them around Moel Ffagnallt).

As usual Lees bitter was enjoyed by most of us at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn.

Dates and Walks July 2009

Updated 15th July 2009.

Thursday 2nd July 2009.
Around Llansannan.Distance:8 miles; Climb:1500'.
Start:Car park behind PC opposite the Post Office in Llansannan. Grid ref:SH933658.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Lorna Jenner's book "Walking in the Vale of Clwyd". This is a varied walk along the Afon Aled and its tributaries, through rolling pastures edge with thick hedges and pockets of woodland, with a backdrop of mountains.

Saturday 4th July 2009.
Stanton Moor and Harthill Moor.Distance:10 miles; Climb:1800'.
Start:Winster Bank Top Car Park. Grid ref:SK239603.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This involves another two walks from Mark Richard's "White Peak Walks - Southern Dales". The Stanton Moor walk we have done before, but Harthill Moor is a new one for me. This area has some interesting rock formations as well rocks with unusual carvings, if we can find them!

Thursday 9th July 2009.
Around Llanfair Talhaiarn.

Distance 10-11 miles; Climb:2000'.
Start:Riverside car park in Llanfair Talhaiarn. Grid ref:SH927702.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Lorna Jenner's book "Walking in the Vale of Clwyd and the Denbigh Moors". , and is a walk that we really enjoyed last time we did it. It is nominally only a 5 mile walk, but last time we managed to find a suitable extension to more than double it. Hopefully we will do the same this time too.

Saturday 11th July 2009.
Craig Yr Iyrchen.
This walk was postponed and will appear later in the year.

Distance:10-11 miles; Climb:2000+'.
Start:Cerrigydrudion car park behind the garage on the Ruthin road. Grid ref:SH954488.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Hiraethog Moor and Lakes". The walk explores the attractive upland pastures and moorland to the North of Cerrigydrudion and rises to over 1400'. The extension which we can decide on the day will probably take us South of the A5 back to the car park.

Thursday 16th July 2009.
Llaneffydd, Moel y Gaer and Moelfre Isaf.

Distance:9-10 miles;Climb:2500'.
Start:Car park by the village hall in Llanefydd, opposite the Buck Inn. Grid ref:SH982706.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Lorna Jenner's book "Walking in the Vale of Clwyd and the Denbigh Moors". , and is a walk that we really enjoyed last time we did it. This is a refreshing walk over Moel y Gaer, the site of an Iron Age hill fort. Again we will extend the walk to include Moelfre Isaf.

Saturday 18th July 2009.

Dduallt and Rhobell Fawr.

This walk has been cancelled and will appear again on the list, probably after a prolonged dry spell has been forecast.

See below for the alternative walk.

Distance:9 miles; Climb:2250'.
Start:Cwm Yr Allt-Lwyd at the end of a minor road. Grid ref:SH787293.
Leave Chester at 8-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Nuttall's book "The Mountains of England and Wales - Volume 1 Wales" and is a new walk for me. They describe it as walking in the countryside between the Aran Ridge and the Coed-y- Brenin Forest. It is a very peacefula and little frequented area of rough grass moor/mountain with rocky summits. The parking area is 7 miles South East of Trwsfynydd in
Cwm Yr Allt-Lwyd at the end of the minor road.

Saturday 18th July 2009. (new walk).
Foel Goch.

Distance:10-12 miles; Climb:2000+' at a guess.
Start:Main car park at Bala. Grid ref:SH929362. (Pay and Display car park by PC.). Leave Chester at 8-00.a.m.
Leave Chester at 8-00 a.m. This walk is taken from Nuttall's book "The Mountains of England and Wales - Volume 1 Wales" and is a new walk for me. They describe this as being one of the Arenig group of mountains that stand in lonely isolation. They describe the area as being pleasant and little frequented. Good views towards Snowdonia and the main Arenig Peaks. Much of the walk is on moorland, that can be wet underfoot, since they say the the patches of Heather mark the drier areas. We can expect paths marked on the OS map to be a little indistinct to say the least, but does look as though we have a few boundary fences to help! The described walk is only 5.5 miles, but we are starting about 3 miles away from the start, and hopefully we can include Moel Emoel and maybe Garnedd Mawr as two more summits, weather permitting.

Thursday 23rd July 2009.
Around Cwm Cledwyn.

Distance: 6 miles; Climb:1500'.
Start:Roadside parking in Gwytherin on the B5384. Grid ref:SH876615.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Hiraethog Moor and Lakes". This is a walk that explores the hills on both sides of the Cledwyn valley around the ancient community of Gwytherin. A shorter walk than usual, but I'm sure its challenges won't disappoint!

Saturday 25th June 2009.
The Nantlle Ridge - Rhydd Ddu to Talysarn.

Distance: 10-11 miles; Climb:4000'.
Start: Rydd Ddu station car park (Pay and Display). Grid ref: SH571526 . Finish Talysarn car park (Pay and display). Grid ref:SH487529.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
I always think of this walk as the second best walk in Wales. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us. This long and strenuous walk gives superb views in all directions on clear days, giving good excuses to linger and take in the vista or take a photo when really you need a rest! We will need to take sufficient cars to enable us to have cars at both ends of the walk.

Thursday 30th July 2009.

Halkyn, Limestone, Lead and Moel Ffagnallt.

Distance:9.5 miles; Climb:1850'.
Start: Britannia Inn, Pentre Halkyn. Grid ref: SJ212712.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m. We haven't started a walk from this location this year, so I thought that it was time we did. It combines two of my favourite walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain". They are two walks in this fascinating area on our local patch, steeped in industrial heritage, but not everyone's cup of tea!
No prizes for guessing where the after walk drinks will be!

The Nantlle Ridge 24th July 2009

At the Tal-y-Mignedd Obeslisk.

Y Garn, not the best start to a walk!

Looking towards Mynydd Drws-y-coed from Y Garn. The final part of the scramble on Mynydd Drws-y-coed.
Looking Eastward from Mynydd Tal-y-mignedd.
At the final summit for us - Garnedd Goch.

Walk stats: Distance:9.2 miles;Climb:3014'.

Time:7 hours 8 minutes; On the move walking average:1.7 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:1.3 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Celia and Dave J.

Although light showers were forecast, none materialised and this proved to be an almost perfect for walking. Pleasantly warm with a gentle breeze to cool us. The views all round were superb from Snowdon in the East to Anglesey and the Rivals to the West. Today was indeed a day when the walk should not be rushed, but one to linger long and often to take savour the views. Today this was a popular route and we encountered many other walkers enjoying the experience.

The birds seen or heard today were few, but included: Carrion crow, Raven, Chough, Kestrel, Stonechat, Swallow, Starling, Wheatear, House sparrow, Mistle thrush, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Jackdaw and Grey Heron.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn, Pentre Halkyn where the Lees biter was quaffed with relish!

Around Cwm Cledwyn 23rd July 2009

Looking across the Cledwyn Valley. One of the earliest views.
Is this a silly walk then?

Heading down hill!

An unusual lunch spot, supported by a fallen tree!

One of the last views of the day, Snowdonia in the distance beyond the wind turbines.

Walk stats: distance:6.5 miles:Climb:1494'.

Time:3 hours 52 minutes; On the move walking average:2.2 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:1.7 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Celia, Gordon, Sue and Michel. Sue and Dave P, Sylvia and Dave J. and Georgie.

Schools are out, so numbers were boosted by a couple of workers joining us. No prizes for guessing who they are.

The weather turned out to be better than expected, especially after we had to shelter for about 10 minutes before getting out of the car. Showery during the morning and glorious sunshine in the afternoon.

As expected route finding wasn't always easy and Satmap again proved useful, even if the operator was more than challenged at times. In fact downloading the route onto Memory Map showed that we had followed the described walk almost to the letter!

This was a really lovely walk, not very high, but giving good views once the clouds had disappeared. The route did present challenges of fording streams, impossible today as they were well and truly in spate! Fortunately we found a farmers footbridge by one and a well placed gate at the other, enough to make us decide not to extend the walk to Moel Seisiog with at least one more bridgeless stream to cross. Much of the last mile or so of the walk was across open' pathless, boggy moorland, it seems that I was the only one still left with dry feet!

A shorter walk than normal. but Dave J. still managed a little extra mileage by chasing after Georgie who sneaked into a field containing sheep and at one point looked like disappearing over the horizon. Much to Dave's surprise a desperate repeated shout of "stay" resulted Georgie obeying and she was quickly reunited with her lead!

Birds seen or heard today included:Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Swallow, House sparrow, Buzzard, Grey wagtail, Pied wagtail, Meadow pipit and Lesser Black-backed gull.
Most of us had good sightings of a Brown hare as we descended the last pasture of the day.
After walk drinks (mainly Lees bitter) were enjoyed as always at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn where even Benjy the Spaniel was on hand to welcome us!

This is a walk that we will do again, knowing that a few cars can be parked safely in the village of Gwertherin.

Foel Goch, Garnedd Fawr and Moel Emoel 18th July 2009

Richard's Photo of the group on the summit of Foel Goch.

On the summit of Foel Goch.
The Arenigs from Foel Goch.
Moel Emoel from the slopes of Foel Goch.

On the summit of Moel Emoel.

Walk stats: Distance:12.0 miles; Climb:2487'.

Time:7 hours1 minute; On the move walking average:2.2 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:1.7 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Celia, Sylvia and Dave J.

This was a walk that was a challenge in many ways. Route finding in this area wasn't easy and without Richard's Satmap would have been even more so. Much of the walk was on very wet grass. reedy pathless terrain and most of us completed most of the walk with wet feet. At least our feet were the only part of us that got wet! Despite the wet feet, this was an enjoyable yomp and included a new Nuttall peak for all of us. Foel Goch gave superb views in all directions. View included the Arenigs, Snowdonia and three lakes Llyn Tegid, Celyn Reservoir and Llyn Brenig.

Birds seen or heard today included:Woodpigeon, Blue tit, Great tit, Carrion crow, Raven, Buzzard, Stonechat and Redstart.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Cholomendy Arms at Cadole. Blindman's Buff and Celtic Pride were the beer quaffed with relish.

Mynydd y Gaer and Moelfre Isaf 16th July 2009

Are there really stepping stones there?
The final push to the summit of Mynydd y Gaer.
The group at the new summit cairn on Mynydd y Gaer.

Do I have to admit that these are my friends?
Spot the birdie on Plas -uchaf Reservoir!

Walk stats: Distance:9.6 miles; Climb:1665'.

Time: 5 hours 6 minutes; On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:1.9 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Celia, Tito, Gordon, Michel and Sue.

This was a walk that some of us last did on 6th December 2007, but for Tito, Gordon, Michel and Sue this was a new walk. The weather was as forecast, and perhaps the worst part was the lighty rain we experienced as we lunched on the summit of Moelfre Isaf. This lovely walk with its minimal hill climbs was well worth a second visit. Even a farmer on a narrow section of the road waited until we could get past his vehicle more easily, although he did comment that he was surprised to see us running! Views perhaps weren't at there best, but the Great Orme was clearly visible as well as the Carneddau. we also had good views across Abergele and the sea beyond.
Birds seen or heard today included:Chiffchaff, House sparrow, Swallow, Stonechat, Wren, Woodpigeon, Carrion crow, Mallard, Yellowhammer, Wheatear and Buzzard.

After walk drinks as usual were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn.

Llanfair Talhaiarn, Moel Unben and Mynydd Dir 9th July 2009

Almost a good view from the summit of Moel Unben. On the summit of Moel Unben.

The lunch spot.

Oh no, the Bracken's getting bigger!

Walk stats:Distance:10.0 miles; Climb:2004'.

Time:5 hours 0 minutes; On the move walking average:2.5 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.0.m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Dave J., Sylvia, Sue and Michel, Gordon, Annie H., and Georgie.

This is a a good walk and the extensions are a bonus, especially the views. Moel Unben gives superb views towards Snowdonia and later we had good views towards the coast. The weather was kind to us and the threat of rain thankfully didn't materialise. Only once did we go astray in trying to locate the footpath around a house, the owner soon put us on the right track! Georgie still squeals at anything that moves, especially sheep. Will she ever learn, some say not!

Birds seen or heard today included: Blackbird, Carrion crow, Herring gull, Buzzard, Grey heron, Chifchaff, Goldfinch, Great spotter woodpecker, Meadow pipit, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Pied wagtail and Grey wagtail.

After walk drinks were enjoyed as usual at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn.

Stanton Moor and Harthill Moor 4th July 2009

The start of the first climb of the day from Winster.

Richard on one of the Gritstone outcrops on Stanton Moor.

No I'm not going up there!
Who couldn't resist the temptation of the Cat Stone Rock then?

Robin Hood's Stride on Harthill Moor.

Walk stats:Distance:10.1 miles; Climb:1359'.

Time:5 hours 6 minutes;On the move walking average:2.4 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.0 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Sylvia and Dave J.
This was another very warm day with very little breeze to keep us cool! I suppose we should be grateful that it didn't rain. This is a very popular walking area and we encountered lots of walkers of all ages enjoying scenery and views from Stanton Moor and Harthill Moor. route finding from the description (some of which was now out of date and no longer applied) proved a challenge on the Stanton Moor approach and later as we headed off in the wrong direction to Birchover. at least we found a good lunch spot and didn't go too far before we realised that we were heading in the wrong direction.

Dave J, not to be outdone by Roger cominng across someone linked to his home village in South Wales and Richard knowing one of the Caernarfon Ramblers revisited the Winster fete in the afternoon and came across some Morris Men that he knew.

Birds seen or heard today included:Blackbird, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Blackcap, Greenfinch, Pied wagtail, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Swallow, Swift, Kestrel and Buzzard.

After walk drinks were enjoyed by two of the group where the Hartington Bitter (the ebst bitter in the world was in particularly good form and we were entertained by a young boy using a tennis bat like weapon to electrocute flies.

Llansannan and Mynedd Tryfan 2nd July 2009

Richard's photo - somewhere on route! Snowdonia from the approach to Mynedd Tryfan.

A pause on the way to the Mynedd Tryfan ridge.

Mynedd Tryfan.

Walk stats:Distance:10.8 miles; Climb:1419'.

Time:5 hours 16 minutes; On the move walking average:2.5 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.0 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Dave J. and Sylvia, Celia, Annie H., Gordon, Sue and Michel Georgie the Jack Russell.

This was a good and more challenging walk than we initially expected. The hot and humid conditions helped to make this a tiring walk. Our extension to Mynedd Tryfan required much debate in route finding, indeed the paths on the O.S. map didn't seem to exist on the ground and crossing fences along the path wasn't easy. This must be the worst section of footpath in Conwy for lack of way marking and stiles or gates in relevant places! Despite this the walk was enjoyed by all, although I think it will probably be the last time that we visit Mynedd Tryfan.

Birds seen or heard today included:Swallow, Swift, Willow warbler, Grey heron, Blackbird, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Buzzard, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Yellowhammer, Redstart, Herring gull and Richard's Dipper.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn.