Walks and Dates March 2016

Updated on 14th March 2016.

John Farey.

As many of the walking group have connections with Upton-by-Chester High School, it is with the sad news that John died on 4th March 2016 following a heart attack.

His funeral in the form of a Requiem Mass took place at 12-00 on Monday 21st March 2016 at St. Boniface's Church, Bunbury, CW6 9PE

Thursday 3rd March 1016.

Garth Wood, Felin Blwm Wood and Maen Achwyfan.

Distance: 9-10 miles; Climb: 1264'.

Start: Whitford village. Roadside parking opposite the church. Grid ref: SJ147782.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m. 

This walk combines two walks taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain". It is quite some time since I have done the first walk. Unfortunately it is only 4.5 miles and the only other walk that links in well with it is Maen Achwyfan, a walk that we have done many times before, but not as yet  this year.

Saturday 5th March 2016.

Audlem and the Shropshire Union Canal.

Distance: 10-11 miles. Climb: Not a lot!

Start: Cheshire Street Car park, Audlem. Grid ref: SJ659436.

The main part of the walk is taken from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire", and the extension takes us further along the canal to Hawksmoor Bridge and returns  to Audlem via Kinsey Heath. The walk is described as exploring the attractive valley of the River Weaver with fine views throughout.

Thursday 10th March 2016.

Arrowe Country Park, Landican and Little Storeton and Storeton Hill.

Distance: 10-12 miles. Climb: 646'.
Start: Arrowe Country park Car park. Grid ref: SJ275856.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk combines three walks from Anthony Annakin-Smith's Book " Wirral Walks". The walk includes waterfalls, woodland wildlife, parkland, a former racecourse, ancient lanes, an aircraft crash site and a "puzzle for cyclists"! I'm not sure we found them all  when we last did this walk in April 2013.

Saturday 12th March 2016.

Hidden Gwytherin.

Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb:1500'.

Start: Lay-by on the B5384, West of Pandy Tudor. Grid ref: SH855641.

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

This walk is taken from an old Walking Magazine.  It describes Gwytherin as a compact village tucked into a fold of the hills to the East of the Conwy Valley, in an area that is not as rugged as Snowdonia, but it gives a feeling of space that is not found in the higher mountains. The western horozon is dominated by the high peaks of Snowdonia.  Last time we did this walk we enjoyed it despite the weather being a little on the wet side.

Thursday 17th March 2016.

The Sandstone Trail. Primrose Hill And Pale Heights.

Distance: 10-11 miles. Climb:1260' .

Start: Gresty's  Waste car park on the A54. Grid re: SJ540686.

Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.

This is another walk on the Sandstone Trail.The main walk is a  route described in Carl Rogers's book "Circular Walks Along the Sandstone Trail". This includes the section as far as Fishersgreen and returns via Utkinton and Primrose Hill Wood.  We will start with the extension that includes a visit the viewpoint on Pale Heights before heading to The Yeld and King's Gate where we pick up the described route.
When we did this walk in 2012, I managed to lose my camera and my monocular, I'm sure everyone will make sure I don't do it again!

Saturday 19th March 2016.

Around Bosley Cloud. Postponed. 
This walk will probably appear on next month's list.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb:1020'.

Start: Lay-by on the A523, South of its junction with the A54. Grid ref: SJ917657.

Leave Chester at 08-30.

This walk is taken from Jen Darling's book "Best Pub Walks in Cheshire", although we won't take her advice on the local hostelries! The walk takes us to the top of Bosley Cloud with its panoramic views over the Cheshire plain.. After visiting the trig point on Bosley Cloud, the walk heads West to meet up with the Macclesfield Canal, which we follow for an easy four mile stretch.

Thursday 24th March 2016.

A Walk Around Waen Aberwheeler and Llandyrnog.

Distance : 9 miles. Climb: 600'.

Start: Aberwheeler  is on B5429. Approaching from the Mold road, turn left and after passing the play area and Bro Lleweni. This lane is opposite the chapel and the bus stop turning area. Park carefuly in the lane next to the houses. Grid ref: SJ096693.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

This is a walk taken from R.J.A. Dutton's book "Hidden Highways of North Wales". It explores the  Roman and Medieval Roads between Waen Aberwheeler and Llandyrnog. As far as I know. the only section that we have done before is along the Afon Clwyd from Llaweni Hall.

Saturday 26th March 2016.

Craig Bron-Banog and Part of Cwm Alwen. Postponed. 
This walk will probably appear on next month's list.

Distance:11 miles; Climb:1100'.

Start:Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr. Riverside picnic site. Grid ref:SH987496. Take the Ruthin to Cerrigydrudion road. Turn right just after the bridge by the Crown Inn. Continue down the road past the church. The picnic area is on the right just before the school.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
Both walks are taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks In the Hidden Heart North Wales". The Craig Bron-Banog walk is new to us. He describes it as an eight mile figure of eight walk exploring the afforested undulating countryside South-east of Llyn Brenig. The route meanders through Clocaenog Forest, passes a hidden waterfall and an ancient standing stone before reaching the highest point of Craig Bron-Banog with its panoramic views.

Thursday 31st March 2016.

The Sandstone Trail - Beeston and Peckforton.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Start: Pay and display car park at Beeston Castle. Grid ref: SJ540591. The Pay and Display machine only starts at 10-00.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
The last time that we did this walk, it was the fourth in our walks along the Sandstone trail. It involves Walk 6 and Walk 7 from Carl Rogers' book "Circular Walks on the Sandstone Trail".
This is another good section of the trail and has a good variety of terrains to enjoy. I thought it was time to give another airing!