Bryn Pydew, Coed Brongarth and Gloddaeth Hall 31st July 2014

At the Bryn Pydew obelisk.

The Conwy Valley and Snowdonia from the Bryn Pydew obelisk.

Conwy Mountain from the ridge North of Coed Brongarth.

The Little Orme from the ridge North of Coed Brongarth.

The Bryn Pydew obelisk from Gloddaeth hall.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.0 miles. Climb: 1002'.

Time: 4 hours 12 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger and David S.

This was the second week running that we were down to just three men on a Thursday walk. The weather was kind to us, although at times it was a little humid whenever we were sheltered from any breeze. The only rain experienced was a few spots as we made the final ascent towards Bodysgallen Hall.

We have done this walk several times before, so on this occasion we went on a few new (to us) paths that missed out some sections of the described walk. 

 Lunch was taken in the quarry at Bryn Pydew Nature Reserve.

 Overall a pleasant walk with plenty of good views both towards Snowdonia and the Coast from the Little Orme towards Rhos on Sea.

 Birds seen or today included: Common blackbird, Goldfinch, Barn swallow, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Black-billed magpie, Eurasian jay, House sparrow, Black-headed gull, Woodpigeon, Herring gull and Common buzzard.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn, where the Lees bitter went down well.

Walks and Dates July 2014

Thursday 3rd July 2014.

World's End from the Ponderosa.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 1600'.
Start: Car parking area opposite the Ponderosa Cafe. Grid ref: SJ192480.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book " Walks Around Ruabon Mountain, the Clywedog Valley  and Hope Mountain."  This is described as an exhilarating walk of great variety, on good upland paths and tracks with panoramic viewscapes.

Saturday 5th July 2014.

Tre Dryw, Brynsiencyn and Bryn Celli Ddu.
Postponed.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb:500'.
Leave Chester at 08-30.
This walk involves two walks from Robert Harris's book "Walks in Ancient Wales". Although these  two Anglesey walks are quite near to each other, it isn't easy to link them using footpaths and country roads, so we will have a short drive after the second walk to get to the start of the second. The walk includes visiting several burial chambers and standing stones and is the main interest in putting these walks on the list.

Thursday 10th July 2014.

Craig Adwynt, Nant Clwyd Hall and the Afon y Maes Valley.

Distance: 9-12 miles. Climb:1500'.

Start: Llanelidan. Grid ref: SJ108503. To get to the parking area, take the A494 Ruthin to Bala road, 2 miles after Pwllglas, turn left towards Llanelidan. Keep ahead at the crossroads as you enter the village, then go down a "No through road" past houses, telephone and a chapel to the end of the road where there is a parking area.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd", and explores the beautiful, unspoilt undulating countryside around the Nant Clwyd Estate.  It will be interesting to see how the work around the hall as changed the landscape.  We assumed that they were creating a lake, but were they?
 We usually choose a route that results in a walk of about 10 miles.

Saturday 12th July 2014.

Moel Siabod. 

Distance: 6 miles. Climb: 2400'.

Start: Layby on the A5, East of Pont Cyfyng about 1 mile East of Capel Curig.

Leave Chester at 08-00. (early start as I need to be back by about 18-00.)

 This is the route described in the Nutalls book "The Mountains of England and Wales. Volume 1 Wales., although we may change the route of descent on the day. The route takes up the minor road towards Llyn y Foel, skirts the lake before climbing up the ridge to the trig point on the summit of Moel Siabod.

Thursday 17th July 2014.

Around Llansannan and Mynydd Tryfan.

Distance: 10 miles; Climb:1419'.

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. Extension to include Mynydd Tryfan.

Saturday 19th July 2014.

The White Shark. 
A Classic White Peak Walk! 
Postponed. New walk will be decided on Friday evening at the Mill in Chester

Distance: 12-13 miles; 2100'.

Start: Longnor car park. Grid ref: SK088649.
Leave Chester at 08-00.

To get to Longnor follow the A51 towards Nantwich. Then the A500 towards Stoke on Trent. Then the A53 to Leek. From Leek take the A523 road to Ashbourne. At the Green Man Pub. turn on to the B5053 to Onecote, Warsow and Longnor. In Longnor turn right and the new car park is on the right. The alternative parking area is on the cobbled square in the centre of Longnor.

This walk is one we did quite a few years ago, on a day that we first experienced the delights of the Wilkes Head in Leek.

The walk is taken from the Trail Magazine. It suggest that the walk takes 6.5 hours, but I expect that we will take a little longer! This walk was a walk first recommended by Ian Setterington, a former colleague, who sadly died last year and who was well known for liking long walks.

Thursday 24th July 2014.

Around Minera Mountain.

Distance: 9-11 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Start: Mineral Lead Mine Centre Car park. grid ref: SJ276509.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Ruabon and Hope Mountain". The walk is described as being quite demanding, especially on the open access moorland. A walk for experienced walkers only - do we count? Can be boggy underfoot! The last time that the group did this walk, I missed out as I had had an operation on my hand and hadn't recovered sufficiently. From those that did do the walk, I understand route finding can be challenging, particularly around the quarries and moorland.

Saturday 26th July 2014.

Meini Hirion and More
Postponed - too far to drive on a hot day!

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 500'.

Start: Coastal car park near Wylfa Power Station. Grid ref: SH356938.

Leave Chester 08-00.

This walk involves two walks from Robert Harris's book "Walks in Ancient Wales". Much of the walk is along quiet lanes, but we will uses field paths and part of the Coastal Path to link the two walks. The walk goes South down an access road to Tregele, down a minor road to link with the path to some standing stones to meet up with the second walk. From Llanfechell we will take the path North around Pen y Bryn and on to Cemaes and return along the Coastal Path. Bring binoculars with you.

Thursday 31st July 2014.
Bryn Pydew, Coed Brongarth and Gloddaeth Hall.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 1500'.

Start: Marl Hall Wood Car Park on the outskirts of Llandudno. Grid ref: SH 799787.
Directions to get to the car park. Leave the A55 at Junction 19 and follow the A470 towards Llandudno. At a roundabout turn right signposted to Esgryn / Pydew. Go past Esgryn Road to find a small car park on the right.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Llandudno".  These walks explore the area around St. David's College that we normally visit on our Little Orme walks.  In addition, we will take a short there and back extension to visit the obelisk that we see clearly as we travel along the A55.
Hopefully we will see this area in more Summer like conditions than we have in the past.

Esclusham and Minera Mountains 4th July 2014

The start of the walk at Minera Lead Mines Centre.

Panorama of the first quarry area.

The Beluga seemed so low we could almost see the pilot!

A mare protecting her foal.

At the trig point on Esclusham Mountain.

At the trig point on Esclusham Mountain.

The old mine workings on Minera mountain.

Walk stats: Distance: 5.8 mile. Climb: 752'.

Time: 3 hours 56 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.4 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, David S and Roger.

The described walk was 9 miles long, but the prospect of walking 5 miles over exposed moorland in the hot Sun, didn't look a good idea, so we decide to cut the corner a little, heading for the summit of Esclusham Mountain and following the Northern-most path across Minera Mountain and dropping down to New Brighton.

 In reality it didn't seem as hot as it had been forecast, as in the first few miles we had the advantage of being in the shade of trees for most of the time.

 We had lunch a little early, so that we could sit in the shade of the trees before setting off across the open moorland.

 The Clwydian hills and Moel Fammau could clearly be seen and later on the radio masts on Llandegla Moors came in to view.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Barn swallow, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Meadow pipit, Grey wagtail, Black-billed magpie, Common kestrel, Hen harrier, Common pheasant, Woodpigeon and Black grouse.

 An enjoyable walk, and would have been even better had we avoided the heather hopping and headed directly to the old mine workings from the Esclusham Mountain trig point.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Pant-yr-Ochain, where the refreshing Snowdonia Ale went down well.

Llansannan and Mynydd Tryfan 17th July 2014

"Oh what big ears you've got!"

Possibly a breed of sheep called "Welsh Mules".

Friendly horses in the background.

Snowdonia from Mynydd Tryfan.

Looking towards mid-Wales.

descending the slopes of Mynydd Tryfan, on one of the few paths that we could find in this area!

Walk stats: Distance: 8.2 miles. Climb: 1081'.

Time: 5 hours 13 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, David S., Wendy and Tim.

Bright and sunny weather on the forecast and temperatures in the twenties. The lack of any significant breeze meant that at times it felt a little too warm for walking. 

  Once again, we decided to change the route slightly and decided to explore Mynydd Tryfan o the paths that we missed twelve months ago. We managed to find the path, well pretty close to it, this time and had lunch on the top of Mynydd Tryfan. The views towards Snowdonia from Mynydd Tryfan were superb, with Moel Siabod, the Snowdon Horseshoe and Tyfan being easily identified.

 However we failed to find the path from Mynydd Tryfan through to Tan-Tryfan, and ended up on the road at the same point as planned on the original extension.

 Once again we decided the best option was to head back to Llansannan on the shortest and easiest route possible - along the road.

 Arriving back at car two of the group indulged in an ice-cream lolly, just what the driver needed to help cool down before setting off, it was almost more enjoyable that the pint of Lees that we had later at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn!

 Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Winter wren, Carrion crow, Barn swallow, Woodpigeon, Yellowhammer and Common buzzard. 

Moel Siabod 12th July 2014

Looking back along the path from Pont Cyfyng.

Llyn y Foel.

Heading across the boggy terrain towards and the start of the up Daear Ddu and the summit of Moel Siabod.

At the trig point on Moel Siabod.

Descending along the forest track towards Capel Curig.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.7 miles. Climb: 2498'.

Time: 6 hours 29 minutes. On the move walking average: 1.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.2 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Mike, Celia and Vicky.

The weather at the start was pretty good, but alas it didn't last and we were in cloud for the scramble up Daear Ddu and an hour of the descent, thankfully it wasn't cold.

 Two Germans on holiday in the UK joined us for the scramble up to the summit and ended up staying with us for the whole walk.

 On the descent, I realised that I should have cut my toe nails before setting off, so I had a painfully slow descent, with one of my toes still hurting the next day.

 Not many birds seen or heard today, not helped when the frame of my glasses broke just as we reached the trig point, so anything more than a few metres away was just a blurr.

 Overall a good walk, despite walking in low cloud for over an hour. Without the Memory Map GPS, find the path down to Capel Curig wouldn't have been easy, but with it we were able to get back on track.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Barn swallow, House martin, Winter wren and Grey wagtail.

 After walk drinks wee enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn

Craig Adwy-wynt and Nantclwyd Hall from Llanelidan 10th July 2014

Stretching out on the West side of Coed y Parc, but thankfully not in the wood!

Panorama from our lunch spot on Craig Adwy-wynt. (North - East - South)

A fine view of the Clwydian Hills.

Another view of Nantclwyd Hall.

Looking North east from the Llanelidan road toward the Vale of Clwyd.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.5 miles. Climb: 640'.

Time: 4 hours 13 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, and David S.

This turned out to be a good day for walking in that it was bright and sunny all day, but at times the humidity made it a little uncomfortable, but then there was those delightful moments when the North east cooling breeze showed itself!

 This is a very varied walk in this part of the Vale of Clwyd, with sections on higher parts of the valley looking down and other parts walking along the valley bottom.

 Parts of the walk made me feel guilty as we walked close to sheep sheltering in the shade, that then moved into the sun as we approached instead of  staying put!

 This was definitely a day for buzzards, it seemed that everywhere we walked we saw a  buzzard.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common swift, House martin, Barn swallow, Common blackbird, Blue tit, Winter wren and Mute swan.

 Overall an enjoyable walk, shorter than usual, but we decided not to explore the Afon y Maes valley and head for a refreshing drink instead!

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Glasfryn, where several brews were sampled, from the Hawkshead, Three Tuns and Monty's breweries.

World's End and Cyrn-y-Brain 3rd July 2014

"On the footpath at World's End, but why are we waiting?"

Out in the open at last!

Heading on the Offa's Dyke path to Coed Llandegla.

Afternoon tea?

A better view than we had this morning!

Walk stats: Distance: 9.6 miles. Climb: 1504'.

Time: 5 hours 9 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Dave P. Phil, David S and Tim.

The weather today could have been better! Dampness in the air at the start, rain as we headed towards Coed Llandegla, but at least we didn't have rain at lunch time at World's End!

 Most of the walk was easy to follow, except when the leader got it wrong and decided we needed to explore one path necessarily! Thankfully this unplanned extension didn't didn't mean that our route went over the ten miles!

 Our descent into the Eglwyseg Valley went past Pant Glas, all gates were shut and Holly (a labrador couldn't escape, so her owner was happy to pass pleasantries with us!

 As we were having lunch at World's End a young cyclist came off his bike as he went through the ford.  Thankfully he wasn't too badly injured and we helped him on his way after supplying him with a few plasters/bandages.

 A pleasant walk, that would be even better on a good dry and sunny day.

 Not many birds today, but they included: Stonechat, Meadow pipit, Carrion crow, Raven, Common buzzard, Meadow pipit, Common swift, Willow warbler, House Martin, Common pheasant and Blue tit.

 Overall an enjoyable walk.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Red Lion at Penyffordd, where Doombar, not my favourite beer, but it tasted good today.