Walks and Dates May 2016

Updated on 25th April with errors remedied.

Thursday 5th May 2016.

Coed Pen-y-Gelli and the Gorsedd Round.
The First Bluebell Wood Walk of the Year.

Distance:11-12 miles. Climb:1050’.

Start: Roadside parking at Lloc. If approaching from Holywell on the A5026, turn left by the public house (now a private house) into St Asaph Road. Park in left. If approaching on the A5026 from its nearest junction with the A55 (Prestatyn junction), Turn right in front of the public house (now a private house) into St Asaph Road. This is just after the the Pant Y Wacco sign and the road starts to bear left. St Asaph Road is one way and can only be approached from then A5026.
Grid ref:SJ145765.

This is a annual Bluebell Wood Walk, and is effectively a figure of eight walk based on Lloc. This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry’s book “ Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain”.  The walk will probably nearer 10 miles as we will only complete a small section of the Gorsedd Round.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Saturday 7th May 2016.

Bluebell Woods Around Parbold. 

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 800'.
Start: Hunter's Hill Quarry Nature Reserve. Grid ref: SD503123
Leave Chester at 08-45 a.m.
This walk is a walk that we did for the first time last year. This walk is on the East of Parbold, and visits up to ten different woods, so hopefully some will still have Bluebells on show.  The walk also includes part of the Leeds - Liverpool Canal as far as Appley Bridge. This is a walk that we have done a couple of times now. There is no description, just the OS map.  The walk includes a section around Anderton Mill and High Moor. Last time the Bluebells and wild garlic in Fairy Glen were quite stunning. Bring binoculars with you just in case.

Thursday 12th May 2016.

Eglwyseg Escarpment and Trevor Rocks.

Distance:9-10 miles. Climb:1200'.

Start: Off road parking on the Panorama road just East of the monument. Grid ref: SJ247426.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

This must be one of the best walks in the Llangollen area, especially on a sunny day. a walk that makes you feel like you're  on top of the world with superb views in all directions, including the Dee Valley, Dinas Bran, the Llantysilio Mountains and the Berwyns. Always a favourite walk and on the
list at least once every year. Good whatever the time of the year. We might even hear a Cuckoo!

Saturday 14th May 2016.

The Lawley and Caer Caradoc.Postponed

Distance:10 miles; Climb:2000'.

Start:Church Stretton centre car park (pay and display). Grid ref:SO454911.

Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.

It's Dotterel time again, so this is another walk that may give us the chance of seeing them again. The walk combines two walks taken from Ian Jones' booklet "20 Walks From Church Stretton".It is a walk that we first did in 1998 and have done several times since then. This is a superb walk, especially on a good day. It is the nearest that you can get to a ridge walk, particularly along the Lawley!

Thursday 19th May 2016.

Moel Fferna and Nant-y-Pandy.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 2000’.

Start: Lay-by adjacent to the Butterfly Man Craft Centre on the A5 Llangollen to Corwen road near Glyndyfrdwy. Grid ref:SJ11584360.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

The described part of the walk is taken from Dave Berry’s book “Walks Around Llangollen and the Dee Valley”. He describes it as a fascinating walk through the wooded Nant-y-Pandy with its old slate works.  The extension takes us to the summit of Moel Fferna, let’s hope for a good day so that we can linger on the top and taken in the excellent views.

Saturday 21st May 2016.

Holyhead Breakwater Country Park and South Stack.

Distance:10 miles. Climb:1326'.

Start: Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (Pay and Display). SH225833

Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.

This is another walk that has become an annual favourite. Along the coastal section there should be  good chances of seeing Choughs, Guillemots, Razorbills and even Puffins. Bring binoculars if you can. If time and energy reserves allow we may visit the summit of Holyhead Mountain.

 As we start at the Country park, we will again do the walk in a clockwise direction,  finishing the  walk along the Coastal Path.

Thursday 26th May 2016.

Lady Bagot's Drive with St Christopher's Blessing.

Distance:10-11 miles. Climb: 500'.

Start: Ruthin Riverside Car park (Pay and display). Grid ref: SJ121582.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd".  We have completed this walk many times before in all sorts of weather conditions. Conditions underfoot have been particularly challenging after lots of rain and the Afon Clwyd is in spate.  We didn't see Kingfishers last year, so hopefully we may this year..

Saturday 28th May 2016.

Rowen, Llanbedre-y-cennin and Caerhun.
Cancelled - may be included later in the year.

Distance: 10-11 miles. Climb:1500'.

Start: Roadside parking opposite the post office in Rowen. Grid ref: SH761719.

Leave Chester 08-00 a.m.

This walk combines one walk from Carl Rogers's book "Walkng in the Conwy valley with one walk from Dave Berry's book " Walks Around Betws-y-coed and the Conwy Valley". One walk is described as a walk exploring the attractive undulating countryside between two attractive villages with a possible extension to the top of Moel y Gaer.  The other walk is described as an easy walk, visiting a Medieval church and a the site of a Roman fort. Both Llanbedr-y-cennin and Caerhun are known locations for Hawfinch.  Will we be lucky this time! Bring binoculars, just in case.

Last time we attempted this walk, two of us chickened out of the Caerhun part as the weather wa so bad, hopefully the weather this time will be a little better than on that January day!