Walks and Dates April 2018

Update 24th April 2018

As the Bluebells look as though they will be flowering later this year the walks planned for Wednesday 18th April, Saturday 21st April and Wednesday 25th April will be moved to May.
Replacement Walks for these dates in April have been posted and are to be found below the originally planned walk.

Wednesday 4th April 2018
Helsby and Frodsham Hills.

Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb; 1500'.
Start: Helsby Quarry Woodland Car Park. Grid ref: SJ490750
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from the book "Pathfinder Guide to Cheshire". Much of it we have done before when following walks on the Sandstone Trail. However part of the walk around Helsby Hill is new to me and it is the first time that we have started from this car park. On a clear day, the views across the estuary is superb. The walk is described as being energetic. As the walk is a little shorter than usual, we may wish to explore the Woodhouse Hill fort a little more.

Saturday 7th April 2018.

Big Low, Berristall Vale and the Saddle of Kerridge.
Postponed - weather forecast only fit for ducks all day!

Distance: 8-9 miles; Climb: 2000'
Start: The Adlington Street car park Grid ref: SJ931782.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m. and meet in the car park.
This is another walk that combines two walks from Graham Beech's book "East Cheshire Walks". He describes the walks as moderate to strenuous and includes some of the most scenic surroundings around Bollington. We have already strolled along Kerridge Hill and can vouch for that part of the walk.
After walk drinks will be in the Vale Inn, a hostelry that impressed us on earlier visits.

Wednesday 11th April 2018.

Melin-y-Wig and Derwen.

Distance: 8.2 miles. Climb: 950' .

Start: Boncyn Foel-bach Forest Car Park Grid ref: SJ055520. This is on the B5105 Ruthin to Clawdd Newydd road.
Leave Chester at 09-00.

This walk is taken from Lorna Jenner's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd".  We last did this walk in February 2016 and I enjoyed it then. I thought that it would be good to do it again, but in a different season. It is described as being a varied walk through forest, quiet lanes, including one that was used on a pilgrims' route and an attractive riverside path.

 Part of the route, particularly sections of the riverside path have in the past been rather boggy (Remembered from it being on walks starting from Melin-y-Wig). The section through the forest can be boggy too. The final section involves climbing out of the valley up to the car park - not the most ideal way to end a walk, but it isn't that steep.

Saturday 14th April 2018.

Wem  Walks - By the Bridges to Soulton Hall.
Postponed- Billy no mates again!

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 130'.
Start: Wem Centre Car park. SJ524289.
Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.
This is another of a series of walks from Wem and is the first time that we have walked in this area of Shropshire.
The walk starts by heading North and includes par of the Shropshire Way, eventually arriving at Edstaston. The walk description suggests that it is worthwhile visiting the Norman church of St Mary the Virgin. After visiting the church heads east and then South through farmland and involves crossing many stiles. Soulton Hall is reached, a majestic 17th century manor house.
 The last part of the walk, heading West back to Wem is largely on quiet country lanes.

Wednesday 18th April 2018.

Coed Pen-y-Gelli and More.
This walk has been moved to Wednesday 9th May when hopefully there will be  a better chance of seeing Bluebells.

Distance:9-10 miles. Climb:700’.

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.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

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 will be near to 10 miles as we will only complete a small section of the usual Gorsedd Round. 
 This is nearly a month earlier than last year, so hopefully we will catch more of the Bluebells in flower.

Replacement Walk.

Golden Grove Sea Views, Coed Bell and Voelnant.

Distance: 8.5 miles. Climb: 1700'.
Start: Llanasa. Car park opposite church. Grid ref: SJ106814.
Leasve Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk has been adapted from walks found in Dave berry's booklets "More Walks in the Clwydian Hills" and "Wals on the North Wales Coast".
 One walk is described as an exhilarating walk with contrasting views of coast, sea, estuary, hills and mountains. The other walk explores the Northern end of the Clwydian Hills and includes part of the Offa's Dyke Footpath through the Prestatyn Hillside Nature Reserve

Saturday 21st April 2018.

Bluebell Woods Around Parbold. 
This walk has been moved to Saturday 19th May when hopefully there will be  a better chance of seeing Bluebells.
At this time I anticipate that all of the usual Saturday walkers won't be able to walk, so a replacement walk will be provided on request.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 800'.

Start: Hunter's Hill Quarry Nature Reserve on Bannister Lane WN6 9QD. Grid ref: SD503123
It is 48 miles from Saltney, so should be a little less from Chester and should take just over an hour to get there.

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

This walk is a walk that we have done for the last three years, and each time the Bluebell have been superb. This walk is on the East of Parbold, and visits up to ten different woods, This is nearly three weeks earlier than we have done on the past, so hopefully the 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 few times now.    Last time the Bluebells and wild garlic in Fairy Glen were quite stunning.  In the past we have seen Brown hares, so hopefully we will today too. Bring binoculars with you just in case. There is no description, just the OS map.

Wednesday 25th April 2018.

Maen Achwfan, Llyn Helyg, Crown Bach and Coed Pen-y-Gelli.
This walk has been moved to Wednesday 16th May when hopefully there will be  a better chance of seeing Bluebells.

Distance:9-10 miles. Climb:1000’.

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

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

This is a Bluebell Woods walk we first did in 2011.

The walk starts off by using one of the walks in Dave Berry’s book “ Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain. We have completed this one several times, including visiting the beautifully carved Maen Achwfan.  However this time we include exploring two new woods, Glol and Llyn Helyg woods.  Hopefully we will return through Crown Bach woods to Lloc and then return to Whitford via Twll Bach.

Replacement walk.
Ysceifio-Lixwm-Nannerch.

Distance: 9 -10 miles. Climb: 1400'.

Start: Ysceifiog, park adjacent to the children's play area. Grid ref: SJ152715.

Leave Chester 9-00a.m.

This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountains".  This walk explores the area around Ysceifiog using field paths, woodland paths and bridleways.  The walk also explores the countryside between the Wheeler Valley and Lixwm.

Saturday 28th April 2018.

Llyn Caer Euni from Llanderfel.
Postponed - no one available to walk.

Distance: 9 -10 miles. Climb:1600’

Start: Roadside parking on B4402 North of the War memorial near an old chapel in the village of Llanderfel. Grid ref: SH982369

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, so bring binoculars with you if you have them.

A Ysceifiog, Lixwm and Nannerch Round 25th April 2018

The first Bluebells of the day on the roadside heading North out of Ysceifiog.

Looking South towards Moel Famau from the path heading East from Waen Isaf.

Primrose and Violets.

Wood sculpture naturally created.

"Me and my big brother".

We thought we had found an early lunch spot, but these two friendly donkeys changed our minds.

Bluebells in Rhoft Wood-the best display seen today.

The view from my lunch spot.

March marigolds in the wood opposite Bryn Rug.

More Primroses on the roadside.

The church at Ysceifiog.

Walk stats: 8.8 miles. Climb: 1166'.

Time: 4 hours 56 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. (2.5 m.p.h. on my newest GPS). Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Roger, Wendy, Mike and David S.

Overall this turned out to be a good day for walk, not too hot and not too cold, and the frequent afternoon showers didn't last too long, the longest was about twenty minutes as we descended to the road towards the fisheries.

 This was a good day for Spring flowers, Primroses were everywhere and the small valley East of Waen Isaf had masses of Primroses. Other flowers included: Dog violets, Bluebells, Wood anemone and Marsh Marigold.

 Lunch was taken a little later than usual, having completed over five miles, but one very loudly braying donkey put us off stopping at our usual lunch spot. It wasn't the best lunch spot that we have ever had, but at least we all found somewhere to sit and thankfully the Sun came out once more.

 The climb up the road to Ysceifiog from the Mold-Denbigh road is always a drag at the end of the walk, but no alternatives were available.

 On this occasion I decided to keep to the road to see if the start of the footpath just North of Tan-llan could be located as in the past we had failed to find.  Thankfully much of the overgrowth around the stile had been cut back and we were able to use the field path Ysceifiog church tower as a direction pointer.

 Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Common chaffinch Common blackbird, Common pheasant, Starling, Wood nuthatch, Blue tit, Great tit, Dunnock, Barn swallow, Woodpigeon, Black-billed magpie and Goldfinch. 

 Overall a very enjoyable walk, with no rain at the start, at lunch or on arriving back at the car. In fact it was warm and sunny as we approached Ysceifiog at the end of the walk.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn, where the best drink on offer was a cup of tea, alas they had run out of Lees bitter! Lagers or Guinness to me were not acceptable alternatives, although some of the group did enjoy the latter.

Golden Groves, Sea Views, Coed Bell and Voelnant 18th April 2018

The start of the walk in Llanasa.

Golden Grove hidden in the trees.

"Do you call this keeping to the footpath?"

Time for the first rest - well for some who got to the seat first!

Not what you expect to see in a duck pond.

Turtles sunbathing on the banks of a duck pond North of Gwaenysgor.

Our lunch spot in Gwaenysgor.

The panorama between Moel Siabod and the Great Orme from the Offa's Dyke Footpath above Prestatyn Hillside Nature Reserve.

The lighthouse on Talacre beach.

A Wheatear resting in the hedgerow as we descended North from the Police WT Station.

The first Bluebells in Coed Bell, but not enough to make it a Bluebell Wood Walk.

Our last view of the coast, before heading South back to Llanasa.

Back at Llanasa, enjoying what is left of any liquid refreshments they had.

Walk stats: distance: 8.8 miles. Climb: 1682'.

Time: 5 hours 42 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h. (Due to to much sunbathing at lunchtime.)

Group: Martyn, Roger, Jim, David S., Mike, Wendy, Ed, Joyce Russell and  Mal.

 This was the largest group that we had in 2018 on a normal Wednesday walk. This was the first walk that Joyce had joined us, so hopefully the walk experienced today won't put her off joining us agaibn in the future.

 We set off from Llanasa, not 100% sure that we were going to get the glorious sunny day that had been forecast. Those doubting were soon proved wrong, and we ended up with beautifully warm, pleasant sunshine in the morning with a cooling breeze every now and again.

 Overall this might be described as a somewhat up an down walk, although not just one up and down, but several!

 Plenty of birds were singing and we had several sightings of Wheatears passing through on their migration to their breeding grounds.

 The sea views towards the Dee estuary and beyond were superb and later in the day Snowdonia could clearly be seen on the horizon as we headed North along the Offa's Dyke Footpath above Prestatyn Hillside nature Reserve.

 The most unusual sighting of the day is normally reserved for the best bird seen, but today the Turtles sunbathing at the end of the duck pond North of Gwaenysgor takes the honour.

  Lunch was taken in the memorial garden at Gwaenysgor where suitable seating arrangements were  available, even if a couple did have to improvise.

 I was pleased see that steps were in place on what in the past had been an unpleasant section of the Offa's Dyke Footpath.

 After reaching the Police WT Staion, there were a few grumbles as we descended almost to the Gronant road before heading East towards Coed Bell where we had a few sightings of Bluebells in flower.

 The final climb of the day along the byway out of Gronant to Llanasa was quite tiring as by now the temperature must have been in the low twenties at least and were were sheltered from the cool breeze that we enjoyed earlier in the day.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Blue tit, Great tit, Greenfinch, Coal tit, Woodpigeon, Black-billed magpie, Barn swallow, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Moorhen, Willow warbler, Wheatear, Goldfinch, House sparrow, Jackdaw, Herring gull, Common pheasant, Canada goose, Chaffinch, and Mallard.

 We arrived back at the cars, having had a good varied walk, and feeling a little more tired than usual, but climbing 1600' must have contributed considerably.

  Unusually for the group today, several of the drivers had commitments in the evening and needed to get home, so after walk drinks had to be put off until we got home. Several cups of tea with a little whisky added provided the pick me up  I required!

Melin-y-Wig and Derwen 11th April 2018

The path heading West from the Boncyn Foel-bach car park.

Escaping from the forest South of Glan-y-gors.

On the riverside path from Melin-y-Wig to Derwen.

Our lunch spot beside the Afon Clwyd.

A better view from our lunch spot beside the Afon Clwyd.

The second plastic covered box-like object that we saw close to the Afon Clwyd.

Siskins on a feeder West of Glyn-mawr.

The medieval church at Derwen with its 15th century preaching cross.

At least one lamb didn't mind being photographed.

Ffynnon Sara A Medieval Holy well.

Walk stats: 8.1 miles. Climb: 975'.

Time: 4 hours 31 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Sue Pelissier, David S and Ed.

Not the best day of the week to go walking with mist clinging to hillside for most of the day, making it feel on the damp side. The lack of wind meant that it never really cleared fully, but thankfully the best time was between Melin-y-Wig and Derwen and around the time we stopped for lunch.

 Views today were all in the imagination!

 At least today all the locals that we met were friendly and helpful, particularly a lady that lived opposite the church at Derwen who explained how the church was maintained after it had ceased to have services.

  After lunch most of us felt that we would be more comfortable if with discarded our waterproofs, which proved to be correct. 

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Chiffchaf, Willow warbler, Common pheasant, Chaffinch, Wood nuthatch, Treecreeper, Coal tit, Blue tit, Siskin, Great tit, Collared dove, Black-billed magpie, House sparrow, Winter wren and Common buzzard.

 A good varied walk, enjoyed today, but even more enjoyable on a bright sunny day.

 At least today our boots didn't get too muddy, although some of us experienced mud-creep on our over-trousers! 

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at Wetherspoons Ruthin Castle Hotel where hot tea and coffee were the drinks of choice.

Above Helsby and Frodsham 4th April 2018

On the path leading to Helsby Hill.

The way ahead.

Spring has arrived.

No awkward stile now and even steps to help!

Our lunch spot sitting in the Sun at the Memorial on Frodsham Hill.

The new Runcorn bridge from our lunch spot.

The view from our lunch spot, looking towards Liverpool.

Liverpool's Anglican cathedral as seen from our lunch spot.

No preferences here, this is the RC cathedral from our lunch spot.

Enjoying the mud on the Sandstone Trail heading from Frodsham towards Helsby.

Helsby Hill from the viewpoint North of Woodhouse Hill fort.

The Middle way path contouring around Helsby Hill -  mud nearly over!

Walk stats: Distance:  7.7 miles. Climb: 988'. Time: 5 hours 18 minutes. On the mover walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.4 m.p.h. (That's a lot of stopping!)

Group: Martyn, Roger, Jim, Mal and Wendy.

This turned out to be a better day weather wise, than most of the forecasts said it would be. We were expecting lots of showers, some heavy, especially after lunch, but at least it would feel quite mild. In the end we had one shower just before lunch, but in reality I didn't have my waterproof jacket on all day.

 After all of the recent rain we have had, paths were at times on the muddy side, and to my surprise it wasn't Wendy grumbling about the mud this time, instead this time was Roger!

 We arrived at the entrance to Woodhouse Hill Fort at 11-00, and decided that we would miss out exploring it today and continued on the walk heading towards Beacon Hill and Frodsham, arriving at the Memorial on Frodsham Hill at about 12-30. 

 This was the perfect lunch spot, with the Sun shining and plenty of available seats with good views over the Weaver and the Mersey towards Liverpool. We had good views of both the old and the new Runcorn bridges.

 After lunch we were following the Sandstone Trail for most of the way. This is a really good section except for the time it took us negotiating the muddy boggy parts. We did get glimpses of good views through the trees as we followed the contouring path.

 The last part of the route followed the Middle contouring path across Helsby Hill, perhaps going over the top might have been the better option today.

 We arrived back at the car, thankful that we had had a good walk and despite all the muddy boggy paths encountered our boots were relatively clean and wouldn't take much effort to clean.

 Birds seen or heard today included Carrion crow, European robin, Eurasian jay, Black-billed magpie, Common pheasant, Woodpigeon, Dunnock, Common blackbird, Mallard, Shelduck, Winter wren, Blue tit, Great tit, Chiffchaff, Common pheasant, Wood nuthatch, Goldfinch, Treecreper, Grey wagtail and Common buzzard.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the White Lion at Alvanley, where Robinson's Dizzy Blonde went down well. It was a good sized pot of tea - I managed to get four cups out of it!