Walks and Dates September 2018

Important Update - 28th August 2018.

The Walks originally planned for Wednesday 5th September and Wednesday 12th September will now be on the Thursday 6th September and Thursday 12th September respectively.

Saturday 1st August 2018.

Cnicht.

Distance 6-7 miles. Climb: 2270'.

Start: Near quarry and Nanmor Mountain Centre. Grid ref: SH633485.

Leave Chester 08-00 a.m.

Cnicht is sometimes described as the Welsh Matterhord due to its similar shape. Cnicht lies in an area of quite rugged moorland, that in places can be quite boggy. Around Cnicht, there are no paths marked on the OS map, but thankfully they are more evident on the ground. It is a long time since I have climbed Cnicht, and even longer from the Nant Gwynnant side of the Mountain. a good walk, with some challenges as far as route finding in the offing.

Thursday 6th September 2018.

Moel Fenlli and Cwm Blaenant.
Postponed due to unfavourable weather conditions.
This walk will appear again in October or November.

Distance:6-7 miles.

Climb: 1524'

Start: Bwlch Penbarras car park (Pay and display).

Grid ref:SJ162606.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks on the Clwydian Hills". It is described as an interesting walk, visiting an impressive iron-age hill-fort. Sections mender along the Offa's Dyke footpath as far as the Clwyd Gate. The return route will take us through little known Western fringes of the Clwydian Hills. It includes attractive woodland paths  and explores a delightful hidden valley. Most of the walk is along clear paths with excellent views throughout.

 The walk is nominally shorter than usual, but the last time we completed this walk it was in August 2017, and we didn't bother with any extension, admittedly the weather wasn't good! However if the group are keen to extend the walk, it will be easy to do so. This is a decision we can leave until we get back to the cars if need be. There are plenty of tracks through the forest at Moel Famau Country Park to create a loop of whatever length we want.

Saturday 8th September 2018.
Visit to Bersham Ironworks followed by an Afternoon Walk.

Bersham Ironworks - Guided Tour (Free).
Start: Bersham Iron Works. Grid ref: SJ306492.

At Junction 4 on the A483, turn left onto the A525 and follow brown signs marked Bersham and Clywedog Trail. Take the first turn on the right, the B5098 (Berse Road). At the T-junction turn right onto the B5099 and take the next right. Look out for brown signs marked Gwaith Haearn Ironworks. For off road parking continue past the Ironworks for 150m and turn off opposite Bersham Church.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.The Guided Tour starts at 10-00 a.m. and lasts for about 1 hour 30 minutes.
After the Tour it is proposed that we head for Minera Lead Mine Centre, have lunch using one of the picnic benches before setting off on the walk.
The Walk - Minera, Nant Mill and Bersham.
Distance: 5-6 miles. Climb: 500'.
Start: Minera Lead Mines Centre Car park. Grid ref: SJ 276509.
Leave Chester at 11-15 a.m. (Walk only)
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book " Walks Around Rhuabon Mountain, Clywedog Valley and Hope Mountain".  One walk is described as a delightful walk following the waymarked  Clywedog Valley Trail to Nant Mill. The second walk starts at Nant Mill and continues along the Clywedog Valley Trail as far as Bersham Iron Works through an ancient woodland, and returns along the South side of the river. The return from Nant Mill to Minera Lead Mine Centre is on the North side of the river.
If you don't fancy the guided tour of Bersham Ironworks, but want to join us on the walk, meet at the Minera Lead Mine Centre at about 12-00.

Thursday 12th September 2018.

Holywell Common, Racecourse, Pantasaph and Pen-y-Ball.

Distance: 9-11 miles. Climb: 950'.

Start: Opposite the Crooked Horn Inn, Brynford (don't park in the Crooked Horn Car Park)
Grid ref: SJ185740

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

Another two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain"

One walk explores open common land  North of Holywell, and includes the old Holywell Racecourse. The second walk explores the hills above Holywell before returning to the Pen-y-Ball Monument. Rather than complete both walks in their entirety, we will adapt the second one so that the overall walk will be about 9 miles oe even shorter.

Saturday 15th September 2018.

Moel y Garneddd.
Postponed - this walk will appear again later in the year

Distance: 7-8 miles.

Climb: 1200'.

Start: Fronfeuno Snowdonia National Park Lakeside Car park Grid ref: SH917351.

Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn". The walk explores the undulating countryside West of Bala. The route follows a a bridleway up to moorland, eventually crossing Moel y Garneddd at a height f 1170'. We can expect to see superb views as we cross the open moorland. The return route goes through attractive woodland. This is a walk for experienced walkers only and should not be attempted in poor visibility. Careful navigation is required.

Wednesday 19th September 2018.

Cwn Dulas, Cefn yr Ogof and Gop Wood.
Cancelled.

Distance: 9.2 miles; Climb:1130'.

Start location. Abergele, Pensarn Beach car park by PC. Grid ref:SH942786.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

The bulk of the walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the North Wales Coast", with an extension to include the small hill Cefn yr Ogof. Always a good walk with several opportunities to have extensive views. We may decide to explore Gop Wood a little more. If we miss out Cefn yr Ogof, the walk will be a mile or so shorter and the climb reduced by about half.

Saturday 22nd September 2018.

Is-afon and Cwm Glyn with Lakeland Views and Upland Pastures.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb:1800'.
Start: Snowdonia National Park Lakeside Car Park, Llangower. Grid ref:SH903321.
Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Y Bala nd Penllyn".  One walk explores the hills above Llangower, giving superb views and scenery. The second walk explores the attractive open hills South of Bala, giving the opportunity to enjoy panoramic views of the hills surrounding Llyn Tegid. The last time this walk was on the list was in November 2011.

Wednesday 26th September 2018.

Llandegla, Llyn Cyfynwy and Graianrhyd.

Distance: 8-9 miles; Climb:1250'.
Start: Llandegla village car park opposite the primary school and Post Office adjacent to the bus stop. Grid ref:SJ197525.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
These two walks are taken from Carl Rogers' book "Walking in the Clwydian Hills". One walk is described as an excellent walk which combines the craggy limeston escarpment of Graig with its wide views of the Clwydian Range and the flat moors of Llandegla. The other walk is described as a pleasant walk on parts of Offa's Dyke Footpath and visits Llyn Cyfynnwy with its delightful (my word) views.

Saturday 29th September 2018.

Chester to Shotton via the North Wales Coastal Path.

Distance: 8.0 miles. Climb: 100'.
Start: New Gorse Stacks Bus Station, Chester.
After my Flu jab at 09-00, weather permitting, I intend to walk from Chester to Shotton and have my lunch at Wetherspoons in Shotton.
I will be using the local bus serrvice for the return journey.
from the new bus station Westward up Gorse Stacks, Canal Street, Raymnond Street and South View Road to meet the Coastal Path at The Cop on Seaand Road.
However if anyone wishes to join me, they are welcome to do so, but please let me know and we can arrange to meet up (probably near Stand At the Bus Station just after 09-00).