Walks and Dates August 2016

Updated 4th August 2016.

I can't walk on Thursday 1st September, so I am hoping that everyone can walk on Wednesday 31st of August instead.

Thursday 4th August 2016.

The Afon Maes Valley.

Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 800'.
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 is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks in the vale of Clwyd." In the past we have always done this walk after having completed the Craig Adwy-wynt walk and have only completed it once before. On the last two occasions, it was on very warm days and we opted to head to a local hostelry for refreshments instead.

 I decided that the only way to complete this walk was to to actually make this the walk.

Dave Berry describes this walk as a splendid figure of eight walk exploring the beautiful unspoiled undulating countryside around Llanelidan.

Saturday 6th August 2016.

See notes below concerning Saturday Walks.

Thursday 11th August 2016.

Coed Ceunant and the River Clwyd with and extension to Rhewl.

If all goes to plan this could be the last walk that Annie can make with the group before she moves.

Distance: 8-10 miles; Climb:1000'.
Start: Ruthin riverside car park (Pay and display). Grid ref:SJ121582.
Leave Chester 9-0 a.m.

This walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks In the Vale of Clwyd" that we have done several times before, but not since 2009. In the past we have linked them with other walks that take the mileage to about 13 miles, more than most of us want these days. He describes the walk as  one exploring varied countryside, with excellent views and visits the charming ruins of a Medieval church using field paths and some delightful bridleways between Ruthin and Llanbeddr Dyffryn-Clwyd. It explores the attractive lower slopes of the Claudian's, including a lovely wooded area.
 The extension to Rhwl  follows the riverside path Northwards before heading towards Rhewl on quiet country lanes to Rhewl and back to the river where we again follow the riverside path, South to Ruthin.

Saturday 8th August 2016.

See notes below concerning Saturday Walks.

Thursday 18th August 2016.

Graig Fawr, and Coed yr Esgob from Prestayn.

Distance:9-10 miles; Climb:1500'.
Start: Prestatyn beach car park. Grid ref: SJ068840. There is a large car park by the toilet block, just before the beach car park. The last time we started at Barkby Beach, we used the Beach Hotel Car Park, tickets obtained from rececption. (cheaper than the Pay and Display car park by the toilet block.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
This is a walk that I have done many times before and always enjoy. The route uses the North Wales Path and Offa's Dyke path to link up with the walk from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Clwydian Hills".

Saturday 20th August 2016.

See notes below concerning Saturday Walks.

Thursday 25th August 2016.

Owain Glyndwr's Mount, Nant Friddisel and the Pen y Grog Mines,

Distance: 6-7 miles. Climb: 1400'.

Start: Grid ref: SJ115437. Road side parking on B5437 on the South side of Pont Carrog.

This walk is a little shorter than usual, but takes in to account that route finding might be more difficult than usual. The main objective is to visit the Pen y Grog disused mines using a footpath that would be an extension to our normal walk which we last did in July, but having climbed Moel Fferna no-one has been very keen to extend the walk further. The call of the Grouse Inn might have had something to do with it!

 This route starts by heading alongside the river, before taking the paths that climb up to the mine. After retracing our steps the walk uses a path through the Carrog Plantation that we have used before and may take some finding. Having successfully negotiated our way through the forest and on to open moorland we then follow familiar paths towards Carrog-uchaf, but just before the farm we head back South in to the Carrog Plantation to contour on forest paths around Owain Glyndwr's Mount and finally descend to Llidiart y Park and along the B5437 back to Pont Carrog. 

Saturday 27th August 2016.

Llyn Caer Euni from Llanderfel.

Distance:9-10 miles. Climb:1600’

Start: Roadside parking by the stream in the village of Llanderfel. Grid ref:SH982371.

Leave Chester 8-15 a.m.

The described part of the walk is taken from Dave Berry’s book “Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn”. This is only a 5 mile walk, but the extra miles is linking the start of the walk in Sarnau with Llanderfel, using different paths on the outward and return journeys.

The outward route will include using a path through the Nature Reserve Cors y Sarnau. There is a good chance of seeing Red kites in this area.
 This walk involves crossing boggy terrain and at some times of the year head high bracken can hinder the way forward.

Wednesday 31st August 2016.

Along the River Weaver, Kingsley and Around Frodsham.

Distance: 12 miles. Climb: 500'.

Start: Centre car park on the south side of the railway station.

Grid ref: SJ519779.

To get to the car park from Chester. Turn right at the traffic lights in the centre of Frodsham (traffic lights with the Bears Paw Pub on the left and the Golden Lion on the right). After a short distance turn left by the Helter Skelter Wine Bar. Follow the road round past a recycling centre to a large car park.
The distance given relates to the last time that we did the walk. I will probably look to see if the walk can easily be shortened by a couple of miles.

This walk is not taken from any book, so we will just following footpaths on the OS map. The initial part of the walk takes us through the north side of Frodsham, partly on the Eddisbury Way to the Weaver Navigation System. Here we will follow the riverside footpath for 3-4 miles. The Weaver is a good place to see water birds, so don't forget to bring your binoculars with you. After leaving the river we will take field paths to reach the village of Kingsley where we will follow the Eddisbury Way back to Frodsham.

Saturday Walks August 2016.

On most dates in August 2014 and 2015 there have been not takers for Saturday walks. Consequently rather than planning walks for every Saturday and then cancelling them on most occasions, I have decided not to post any walks at the same time as posting Thursday Walks for the month.
 However, if you decide that you want to walk on a particular Saturday, let me know by the Thursday before and it may be possible to arrange one.