Lloc, Mertyn Downing and Pen y Ball Top 28th September 2017

The climb from Mertyn Downing to Pennant Golf Course.

Waiting to start the muddiest path on the walk.

Looking over the Dee estuary towards Liverpool from East of The Grange.

The  view looking North from the trig point on Pen-y-Ball Top.

At the trig point on Pen-y-Ball Top.

Roger's last stile.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.1 miles. Climb:956'.

Time: 5 hours 21 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, David S., Celia, Pippa, Jim, Paul and Scrumble.

This was a glorious day for being out in the countryside, warm, sunny and occasionally a gentle breeze.

 This was Roger's first walk for some time, a day to see whether crossing stiles was a problem in the past. Thankfully it was and all manner of stiles were successfully climbed.

 One of the objectives of the walk today was see if we could access the path on the West of Coed Mertyn to the Pennant Golf Course - we couldn't, it too was so overgrown that attempting to make a way through wasn't an option that one pair of secateurs could handle. 

 Lunch was taken at Pantasaph, where we took advantage of one the benches in the grounds of the Fransican friary.

 Approaching The Grange farm, we are usually greeted by at least three barking sheep dogs, it wasn't long before they appeared, but this time with their more of their mates and a Labrador type dog. Scrumble wasn't very happy by the attention of these barking canines as cowered with tail between his legs until we escaped from the farm yard.

 The best viewpoint of the day was at Pen-y-Ball Top, where both Liverpool cathedrals and Fiddler's Ferry Power station could clearly be seen.

 We arrived back at the cars, having had a good walk, knowing the the Coed Mertyn paths would for us always be off limits.

 Birds seen or heard today include: Carrion crow, Jackdaw, European robin, Eurasian jay, Woodpigeon and Common buzzard.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn, where Facer's This Splendid Ale and Gwynt y Ddraig's  Black Dragon cider went down well as did the locally produced Triple D Cider.

Coed Creigiau, Cwm Ddu and Cefn Cyfarwydd 23rd September 2017

A view looking South from the road that climbs from Trefriw to llyn Cowlyd.

Llanrwst from the road leading to Cwm Ddu.

The Conwy Valley from the road leading to Cwm Ddu.

Chape ruins in Cwsm Ddu.

One of several ruins on route in Cwm Ddu.

Looking towards Llyn Cowlyd.

Spot the footpaths!

Looking towards the high tops from the Cowlyd - Trefriw road.

The Klondike Mill and Llyn Gerionydd from  the Cowlyd - Trefriw road.

The waterfalls at West of Trefriw.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.8 miles. Climb: 1574'.

Time: 6 hours 8 minutes. On the move walking average: 1.8 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.4 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Ed.

The weather today wasn't exactly what we were expecting. There was dampness in the air all morning and warm sunshine at the end of the day, almost the opposite of the weather we were expecting. 

 We set off on the steep climb out of Trefriw on the Cowlyd/Gerionydd road and within in minutes a car stopped and engaged with us about our walk. This was to be the pattern for the day, everyone we met spoke to us and enquired/helped us on our route finding.

 Following the route description in Coed Creigiau wasn't easy, but later on it was to get much worse.

 The "path" South west of Tyddyn Ddu after the ruined chapel soon became non existent and we did a fair bit of bog trotting before eventually arriving at the Llyn Cowlyd - Trefriw Road.

 Lunch was taken near a stone sheep pen, with good views back towards the Conwy Valley, and allowing us to assess what was the best way ahead.

 We decided that once arriving at the road, the best option was to follow it all the way back to Trefriw.

 The views towards the Gwydr Forest and beyond were superb, despite the unusual lighting on the skyline. 

 Arriving at a footpath we noticed it would allow us to avoid the steepest part of the road, so we decide to be adventurous and take it. A good decision at first, but it wasn't going to last and the path went through extremely boggy terrain - this was a path NEVER to taken again!

 Towards the end of the walk, near a cemetery we decide to cut across to the Gerionydd road and take a path that took us to the fairy Glen Waterfalls. This was a good decision as the water coming over the falls was probably the most that I have ever seen.

 We arrived back at the cars, having had a really good walk that had challenged us more than we thought it would!

 Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Goldfinch European robin, Common blackbird, Meadow pipit, Raven, Common buzzard and Grey wagtail.

 I enjoyed an after walk drink at the Blue bell Inn at Halkyn, where Cotleigh's Gold Hawk bitter went down well.

Denbigh Castle and Llanraeadr 21st September 2017

The brook west (Afon Ystrad) of Brookhouse Pottery.

Waiting for the rest of the group crossing the fields to Denbigh Castle.

At the entrance to Denbigh Castle.

At the entrance to Denbigh Castle.

Lunch time back at the cars.

On the Clwydian way, heading East from Brookhouse.

The Jesse window dating from 1533 in St. Dyfnog's Church, Llanraeadr.

Time for  rest - outside St. Dyfnog's Church, Llanraeadr.

The Clwydian Hills from the path West of Pen-bryn llwyn.

The best sort of tile, one that you can go round!

Getting over the last "new" stile of the day.

Moel Famau and the Clwydian Hills from fields North east of Pont Felin Ganol.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.2 miles. Climb: 525'.

Time: 5 hours 25 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walking average: 1.7 m.p.h.

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

The weather forecast for today wasn't good, but this wasn't going to put us off as it was likely to be Phil's last walk with the group before he heads for Scotland. The forecast rain never materialised and I suffered from "boil in the bag syndrome" just because I believed the forecast and put on my waterproofs. Thankfully at early lunch they could be discarded, and we were able to walk in warm sunshine for the rest of the day.

 Although our walk passed the entrance to the castle we didn't go inside, but carried on past the former Howells School, now Myddleton College and back to Brookhouse.

 Back at the car we decided that nearby wall was a good place on which to sit for lunch. Phil brought some of Jeans's lemon cake to mark the occasion of his last walk. We liked it so much that most of us had two pieces - even me!

 After lunch some of the paths we used were a little waterlogged to say the least, and one we had to go through a head high field of maize, but at least we could see a way through.

  After going into St. Dyfnog's Church, Llanraeadr to see the Jesse window, we decided that we needed to shorten the walk. Unfortunately the way we originally chose involved us spending time with secateurs to cut back the hedge that had gone across the top of the stile. We soon found that this was to no avail as the next stile went into a maize field that screamed at us "you shall not pass".  More time stopped to look for the best way to go, and again involved need for the secateurs to be used, but at least there wasn't any maize - only sheep and cows to bother us.

 Although we may never use this route again, it did give us some superb views of the Clwydian Hills from Prestatyn South to Moel Famau.

 We arrived back at the car for the second time, having had a really good walk and been blessed with some really pleasant weather, particularly in the afternoon.

 Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Dipper, Black-billed magpie, Rook, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Sparrowhawk, Black-headed gull, Carrion crow and Common buzzard.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Dinorben Arms at Bodfari, where he Brunning and Price Bitter and Deucher's IPA went down well.

 It won't be the same next week when we arrive at the start of a walk and Phil won't be in his car reading his paper as he waits for the rest of the group to arrive.

Walk and Dates September 2017

Saturday 2nd September 2017.

Around Llyn Trawsfynnyd. 

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 1000'.

Start: Trawsfynydd Cafe and Fishing Permit Car Park, just off the A470 down the road to the Power Station. Grid ref: SH696383.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

This is another walk that Ed has found. It is in a walk that is totally new to me, so I will enjoy exploring this area.

 It is described as a fine 8 mile walk with spectacular views in places. The walk goes round the lake in a clockwise direction, heading South towards the village of Trawsfynnydd. It involves a small section of the A470, but doing the walk this way round gets the road section over quite early in to the walk. Thankfully it is also on a wide footpath. After this the route heads towards the lake and crosses what is described as a unique footbridge. The route on the West side of the lake, looks as though it may be interesting in terms of path finding, whilst the section on the North side is described as going through as a swampy section, so this might be challenging too!

Thursday 7th September 2017.

Llansannan and Mynydd Tryfan.

Distance: 8-10 miles; Climb:1500'.

Start:Car park behind PC opposite the Post Office in Llansannan. Grid ref:SH933658.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

This walk is mainly a walk 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. However we will include an extension to include Mynydd Tryfan.

Saturday 9th September 2017.

Astbury Mere and More.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb:500'.
Start: Astbury Mere Country Park. Grid ref: SJ846627.
Leave Chester 08-30.

The described part of the walk is taken from the Patherfinder Guide to Cheshire. It is described as following mainly enclosed tracks, part of the Macclesfield Canal and visits the attractive village of Astbury. The extension is along the canal to High Town, the Gritstone Trail to Dane in Shaw, field paths to Heather Bank farm and Northward back to the canal and the described walk.

Thursday 14th September 2017.

The Alun Valley, Moel y Waun, Llyn Gweryd and Limestone Pastures.

Distance:11 miles; Climb: 2000'.
I'm sure we will look for a few short cuts to bring the distance down a little!
Start: Llandegla Village car park, adjacent to the bus shelter and opposite the Post Office. Grid ref: SJ196523.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
This walk combines another two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the Clwydian Hills". He describes one walk as being delightful and the other as being an easy walk with scenic delights. What more could we want from a walk, and as we know Dave Berry is frequently delighted on his walks! From past experience parts of the route can be muddy underfoot.

Saturday 16th September 2017.

Deganwy Castle and the Great Orme. - Postponed.

Start:Roadside parking near the Public Conveniences on the West shore of Llandudno. Grid ref:SH773819.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

The main walk today is the Deganwy Castle walk taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the North Wales Coast". Sections of this walk have been known to be muddy in the past.

The extension to the walk , after returning to the car, will involve most of the circuit of the limestone plateau on the Great Orme, including a visit to the trig point and descent via the Monks' path to the toll road. There are plenty of options to shorten the walk if required.

Thursday 21st September 2017.

Denbigh Castle, Goblin Fields and St Dyfnog's Well.

Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 670'
Start: Roadside parking by the weir, West of Brookhouse Mill and Pottery. Take the A525 from Denbigh. Just before the Brookhouse Mill Tavern on the A525, at a signpost for "Pottery", turn right (West), go past the marked parking bays for the pottery   and park on the left side of the road by the weir. Grid ref: SJ069656.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
These two walks are taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd". One walk explores the attractive and varied countryside between Llanrhaeadr and Brookhouse and gives us the opportunity to see again the famous Tree of Jesse medieval stained glass window (1533) and Ann Parry's gravestone with its inscription"God kept His word".  The walk also includes two mile of riverside  alongside the Afon Ystrad and Afon Clwyd
The second walk is described as interesting and takes a "green"approach to a little known castle in Wales.

Saturday 23rd September 2017.

Coed Creigiau and Cefn Cyfarwydd.

Distance:8 miles; Climb:1800'.

Start: Trefriw Car park. Grid ref:SH782630.

Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Betws-y-Coed and the Conwy Valley". He describes it as an exhilarating walk exploring the little known upland area North of Trefriw, utilising scenic upland roads offering extensive views. We will also include part of the way-marked path through Coed Creigiau.

Thursday 28th September 2017.

Lloc, Mertyn Downing and Pen y Ball Top

Distance:9 miles,. Climb:956’.

Start: Roadside parking at Lloc. Turn left by the public house if approaching from Holywell on the A5026 on right if approaching on the A5026 from its nearest junction with the A55. Grid ref:SJ145765.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

This walk includes parts of two walks from Dave Berry's book " Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain". We have done both walks many times before, but not often together. One walk explore the area between Holywell and Pantasaph, including the grounds of the friary. The other walk explores the attractive undulating countryside North of Gorsedd and Carmel.

 The last time we did this walk, we explored a path through the golf course, but couldn't find where the path left the golf course near the fisheries. I thought that this time we might investigate the path from the fisheries end to see if it really does exist! We now know that even the fisheries end of the path is too overgrown to attempt.

Saturday 30th September 2017.

No walk - I will be going to a family  birthday celebration in Aldridge.

The Horseshoe Falls and More 16th September 2017

The view of the Horseshoe Falls from Llantysilio Green picnic site.

A close up of the Horseshoe Falls with the Dee in spate.

The Horseshoe Falls from the Llangollen Canal umping station.

Quieter waters on the Llangollen Canal.

Looking west from the road bridge in the centre of Llangollen.

Hang gliders in the distance - South east of Llangollen.

Our first view of any sort after starting on the Allt y Badi enclosed track.

The Eglwyseg Escarpments from the Berwyn-Ceiriog road.

The llantysilio Mountains from the Berwyn-Ceiriog road.

Not the best lunch spot in the world, but at least it isn't on the road.

Looking North across the Dee Valley towards the Llantysio Mountains and the Eglwyseg Escarpments.

Castell Dinas Bran from a track near Bryniau-mawr.

The Chain Bridge from the station path.

Looking West from the Chain Bridge.

The Chain Bridge.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.5 miles. Climb: 1180'.

Time: 4 hours 54 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Celia.

I gave Celia a choice of 4, 6 or 8 mile walk, in the end we did nearly 10!

 The weather was good for walking, although the Sun didn't appear very often, but at least it was dry and the wind was only a breeze.

 We started the walk by passing the Horseshoe Fall, more impressive than usual as the the river was very high. We met some canoeists who had decided to move on to quieter waters.

 The walk along the canal towpath was in warm sunshine and superb reflections could be seen on the still waters.

 After passing Plas Newydd, home of the Ladies of Llangollen, we climbed out of the valley on the Allt y Badi track on what seemed like a never ending mile long slog and over 700' of climb.

 However once w had escaped the confines of the wooded track, w were rewarded with fine views first across the Dee valley towards the Llantysio Mountains and the Eglwyseg Escarpments, and later over towards the Ceiriog Valley.

 A late lunch a taken on a track at the Western end of of Cae-Madog Wood at the first opportunity of a spot not directly on the roadside. A sheltered spot for lunch whilst being serenaded by the many pheasants nearby.

 It was just after lunch as we headed towards Foel, on the west side of barber's Hill that we had our finest view across the Dee Valley with the whole of the Llantysio Mountains and the Eglwyseg Escarpments in view at the same time.

  The end of the walk was a cross the Chain Bridge over the River Dee in spate,  a great way to end a really good walk.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Mallard, Common buzzard, Common chaffinch, House sparrow, Common pheasant, Barn swallow, Goldfinch, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Raven and Pied wagtail.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Pat-yr-Ochain at Gresford, where Purple Moose's Snowdonia Ale went down well.

A Llandegla and Llanarmon-yn-Ial Round 14th September 2017

Setting off from Llandegla - waterproofs on - ready for rain if it comes!

"Where do you think you are going?"

Alpacas guading a flock of sheepner Pant-y-ffordd.

"I'm glad our footpath didn't involve climbing this tree!"

looking West towards the Clwydian Hills.

Our lunch spot - the church at Llanarmon-yn-Ial.

The cave on the East side of Llanarmon-yn-Ial.

Heading for the road.

at  aquick glance it looked like a cow with two heads!

An afternoon stroll in the sunshine!

Llandegla ahead.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.5 miles. Climb: 798'.

Time: 4 hours 36 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 Phil.

The weather forecast for today wasn't good, frequent showers in the morning with warm sunny intervals, followed by heavier showers/rain in the afternoon.

 With this in mind we all put on full waterproofs right from the start, and it wasn't long before we had our first shower. Thankfully none of the showers lasted more than about ten minutes, and any breeze we had wasn't too strong, just pleasantly cooling.

 We modified our route slightly, aiming for Llanarmon-yn Ial, where we knew the porch on the South side would offer shelter from the rain should it be needed.

 As this was possibly Phil's last walk with the group, light treacle cake was provided to mark the occasion. The cake lived up to its name and met with approval.

 At times views towards the Clwydian Hills and the Llandegla moorland were pretty good whenever the Sun came out and blue skies were above.

 At times it was quite muddy underfoot, but the last leg of the walk was across fields wityh lush wet grass that meant we arrived back at the car with almost clean boots.

 Overall it was a very enjoyable walk, hardly marred by the regular showers.

Birds seen or heard included: Common pheasant, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Common blackbird, Woodpigeon, Black-billed magpie, Barn swallow and Comon buzzard.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Red Lion at Penyfordd, where Reverend James bitter was sampled.

 At the start of the walk, I had a chat with one of the local residents who had jus been to open the church. It is apparently open from about 09-00 to 17-00 each day when walkers are welcome to use the facilities, including being able to make themselves a hot drink.

 It now looks like Phil's last walk with the group before he heads to Scotland will be the Denbigh walk next Thirsday (21st September)