Walks and Dates January 2014

Updated on 30th January 2014.

Happy New Year
I called round to see Richard this morning, had a cup of tea and chatted for about an hour. Annual Walkers Meal 30th January 2014.
The Boat House, Parkgate.
See separate post above.

Wednesday 1st January 2014.

A West Kirby Round.

Distance: 5-6 miles. Climb: 500'C

Start: The Parade, West Kirby. Park near the old baths / opposite the IRB station. Grid ref: SJ213860.

Leave Chester at 09-30.

The walk starts by going around the Marine Lake, if the tide permits. High tide is at 10-26. It is quite a big tide, 9.6 m /31.6'.  After the Marine lake we will walk along the beach to Red Rocks and then head through Hoylake Gilroy Nature Reserve, before heading up Grange Hill with its impressive War Memorial. The return is via the Beacon on Column Road and down to West Kirby through Ashton 

Park. 

 Bring binocular with you if you have them.

 Fruit cake will be provided, as long as I know that you are coming!

Thursday 2nd January 2014.

No walk.

Saturday 4th January 2014.

Tegg's Nose and Macclesfield Forest.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 1865'.

Start: Tegg's Nose Country Park Car park. Pay and Display. Grid ref: SJ950732.

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

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.


Thursday 9th January 2013.

Rhuddlan L.N.R ., the Rhuddlan to Rhyl Riverside Walk with extensions to the Brickworks Pool N.R. and the Forydd.
Distance: 10-11 miles. Climb: 200'.

Start: Park at the Rhuddlan L.N.R. car park. Grid ref: SJ02076.  New start location.

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 derelict pub. If you get to the bridge over the river you've gone too far!

This walk is an annual favourite, at least for those that like to birdwatch 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 in the Rhuddlan L.N.R.  We will probably visit the Foryd first, to see if there are any Snow buntings there this year.


Saturday 11th February 2012

Mynydd Garthmyn and the Fairy Glen.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 1500'.

Start: Main car park at Betws-y-coed. Grid ref: SH795565.

Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.

This version is taken from Carl Rogers' book "Walking in the Conwy Valley" and only varies a little from the walk that we usually do. Both walks are described as being varied walks with stunning views, especially to the West.


Thursday 16th January 2014.

Moel Findeg, Deborah's Well, Bryn Alyn and Nercwys Mountain (A Tale of Two Mountains).
Distance: 10-11 miles. Climb: 1400'.

Start: Lay-by opposite the Loggerheads Boundary Monument on the A494 Mold to Ruthin road. Grid ref: SJ202626.

Leave Chester 9-00a.m.

This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "More Walks in the Clwydian Hills".  This is another chance to visit the summit of Moel Findeg with its fine views of the Northern Clwydians  and across the Cheshire plain to Peckforton and Beeston.  


Saturday 18th January 2014


The Edge to Nether Alderley and the Edge and Hough.



Distance: 9-10 miles; Climb: Not a lot (less than 1000' at a guess).

Start: National Trust car Park close to the Wizard Restaurant, Alderley Edge. This is a Pay and Display car park - Free to National Trust Members. Grid ref: SJ860773.

Leave Chester at 8-30 a.m. and meet at the car park.




This walk combines two walks from Graham Beech's book " East Cheshire Walks". He describes it as being moderate. The walk will again probably give us views of the communications tower on Croker Hill/Sutton Common. We may also get the opportunity to visit Nether Alderley Mill (National Trust- so bring your N.T cards with you if you are members.)

Thursday 23rd January 2014.

Big Covert and Bryn Alyn.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 1900'.

Start: Layby on the A494 Mold to Ruthin Road, about 1/2 mile South of Llanferres. Grid ref: SJ187597.

Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.

This walk uses two walks from Dave Berry's book More Walks in the Clwydian Hill".  We have combined these walks on several occasions before and the section over Bryn Alyn is always good. However this time our route will only use part of one walk and will take us on both sides of Big Covert, one path quite close to Burley Hill Quarry.

It will also give us another opportunity to test our route finding skills through Nercwys Forest, although last year we did get right!

Saturday 25th January 2014.

A Coastal walk from Llanfairfechan to Aber Ogwen and the Spinnies L.N.R.

Distance: 10-11 miles. Climb: 200'.

Start: Llanfairfechan Promenade / Coastal car Park. Grid ref: SH679754.

Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.

This is essentially a linear there and back walk, but if the tide allows we will walk along the beach on the return route from the Aber Ogwen pic-nic site (lunch spot the last time we did the walk). There should be plenty of birds to see on the coast, and we will probably visit at lest one of the four bird hides on the route. Bring binoculars with you if you have them.  High tide at about 17-00., so there shouldn't be any problem.

Thursday 30th January 2014.

A Short Walk followed by our Annual Walking Group Meal 

at the Boathouse, Parkgate.

A Parkgate Round.

Please note on this occasion I am not going to sort out transport arrangements. 

It up to those living in similar areas to arrange transport between themselves. 

Latest (Thursday 06-500) weather forecast suggests it should dry partly cloudy, cold (about 1 Celsius, feeling like -1 Celsius), possible Wintry showers around mid-day with East south easterly winds of 6-10 kph (7-8 mph on the BBC).

Distance: 5-6 miles. Climb: 200'.

Start: Boathouse Inn and Restaurant car park, Parkgate: SJ275787.

Leave Chester at 09-00.

High tide is at about 10-24 and is quite a big one at 9.1 m / 31.4'.  Hopefully the car park won't be full, but expect it to be busy as lots of birdwatchers are likely to be around for high tide.

 The walk starts by heading past the golf course, before heading inland to the Wirral Way. We will follow the Wirral Way as far as Neston, we will head back to the estuary at Neston Old Quay. The final part of the walk will be along the coastal path. Much of the walk is the same as the walk that we did on 12th December 2013, but in the opposite direction.

Bring binoculars with you if you have them.



As we will be eating at about 13-30, I anticipate stopping about half way round or slightly earlier, if a suitable spot is found so that those that want to have a drink or small snack can do so.