Dates and Walks March 2019.

Saturday 2nd March 2019.

Lyme Park and Poynton Coppice.

Distance:8-10 miles. Climb:1300'.
Start: Nelson Pit Visitor Centre Car Park. Anson Road. Grid ref: SJ945833.
Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.
This walk combines two walks produced by Cheshire Councils in their series "Discover Cheshire".  The main walk visits Lyme Park and the former hunting lodge called "The Cage".  Red deer may be seen on this part of the walk.  The second walk uses part of the Middlewood Way and the Macclesfield Canal towpath as well as visiting Poynton Coppice, a semi-natural wood planted in 1847. 

Wednesday 6th March 2019.

Melin-y-Wig and Derwen.

Postponed - see below or new walk

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.


Fron Hen, Loggerheads and More.

Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 1250'.

Start: Layby on the A494 Mold to Ruthin Road, about 1/2 mile South of Llanferres. Grid ref: SJ187597.





Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.

This walk explores the lower slopes of the Clwydians on the way to Loggerheads and eturns to Llanferes along the Western edge of Big Covert.

Saturday 9th March 2019.

Abergele and Moelfre Isaf.

Distance: 10.4 miles. Climb:1349'.

Start: Pensarn Beach Car Park. Grid ref: SH944787. Park near the PC block as we will be heading South towards the centre of Abergele.
Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.
Abergele and Moelfre Isaf.This walk is by Debbie Hamelton and starts in the centre of Abergele, but we will start on the coast. This will extend the walk by about 2 miles. The main walk is described as exploring the beautiful North Wales countyside South of Abergele. The outward route passes a well preserved watch tower. The first time we did this walk in March 2010 we had a superb day weatherwise and excellent views from the top of Moefre Isaf. Hopefully we will be as lucky with the weather this time too.

Wednesday 13th March 2019.

Harris Hikers Annual Meal 

(with an optional short walk).

Walkers Meal 2019.

Date: Wednesday 13th March 2019.

Location: Pant-yr-Ochain, Gresford.

Grid Ref: SJ363553

I went to the Pant-yr-Ochain on 14th February 2019 and have provisionally booked for 20-24.
I said we would be arriving between 12-30 to 13-00, ready to be seated at 13-00.
The meal has been booked under my name.
19 have said that they will be coming to the meal, but booking for upto 24 allows for any last minute additions.
I will give the Pant yr Ochain final numbers on Monday 11th March 2019.
Route to the Pant yr Ochain.
Take the A483 from towards Wrexham from Chester.
Leave the A483 at the Gresford interchange (junction 6 I think), signposted A5156 (Nantwich). Take the first turn on the left  (Old Wrexham Road) signposted The Flash. The Pant yr Ochain is on the right after a few hundred yards.
Replies already received:
Walk and Meal: 
Martyn, Sue and Michel, Celia, Wendy and Ian, Nigel, Annie H.
Meal only: David S and Anne, Jim and Pauline, Fran, Roger and Margaret, Naomi, Sue and Dave P, Mike.

Walk: The Clywedog between Bersham and The Nant.

Distance: 4.0 miles Climb: 142 m /462’.

Start: Layby on Plas Buckley Road, Grid ref: SJ308491, near Bersham Bridge, East of Bersham Ironworks. 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 into Plas Buckley Road. The layby is immediately on the left after passing under the Bersham Road Bridge. There is a rubbish bin in the layby.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m. and meet at the start.

The walk starts by following a minor road fo about a mile, and then takes a path through woodland and fields to Plas Power Wood and onto Nant Mill. There are picnic benches to use, if we decide to start for refreshments. Probably better on the way back from The Nant where there is a ford to cross the Afon Clywedog. We will probably use the nearby footbridge. We will then follow the Clywedog Trail back to the start. The section Nant Mill takes us through the delightful ancient woodland called Big Wood.

Saturday 16th March 2019.

Jumbles, Wayoh, Turton and Entwistle Reservoirs.
Cancelled due to a weather forecast of 95% chance of heavy rain and gale force winds all day. 

Distance:10 miles. Climb:1100'.

Start:Waterfold Car Park, off Bradshaw Road (A676), Jumbles Country Park. Grid ref: SD736139

Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.

This walk is based on a walk taken from Terry Marsh's book "Fifty Classic Walks in Lancashire". He describes the walk as a pleasant walk on good paths. The extension to Turton and Entwistle Reservoirs includes another section of the Witton Weaver Way and crosses Turton Heights and a hill called Cheetham Cross. A good and varied walk. Has been known to be on the boggy side on the descent from Cheetham Cross! If we misse out Cheetham Cross, it will making the walk just over 9 miles.

Wednesday 20th March 2019.

Chirk - Offa's Dyke, A Canal Tunnel and maybe a Castle.

9.0 miles. Climb: 800'.

Start: Chirk Centre Car Park. Grid ref: SJ291377.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

This walk is taken from Dave berry's booklet " Walks Around the Berwyns and The Ceiriog Valley". It is described as a walk of great variety and explores the attractive undulating countryside around Chirk. At times it follows the Offa's Dyke Footpath. Part of the route follows the Llangollen canal towpath and includes going through a short tunnel We may in fact go through a second tunnel. You may wish to bring a torch, but there is a handrail to guide you. This will be the second time that we have started a walk from Chirk.

Saturday 23rd March 2019.

A Walk Around the Great Orme.

Distance: 8-10 miles, but will be decided on the day.

Climb: 500'-1000', depending on the route we take.

Start at Llandudno West shore. Roadside parking near the boating lake. Grid ref: SH771820.

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

This walk is one we do several times each year, particularly if we want to avoid muddy conditions. The exact route wil be decided as we are going round. It will probably involve going around the Great Orme on the panoramic road, have lunch in the Happy Valley before taking the path across the limestone pavement and then taking the steps down to the invalids terrace and back to the shore. Alternatively we could explore the recently opened path from the summit cafe across the farm fields to link with the Monk's path

Wednesday 27th March 2019.

A Walk Around Waen, Aberwheeler and Llandyrnog.
Postponed - Billy No Mates.

Distance : 9 miles. Climb: 600'.

Start: Aberwheeler  is on B5429. Approaching from the Mold road, turn left and after passing the play area and Bro Lleweni. This lane is opposite the chapel and the bus stop turning area. Park carefully in the lane next to the houses. Grid ref: SJ096693.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

This is a walk taken from R.J.A. Dutton's book "Hidden Highways of North Wales". It explores the  Roman and Medieval Roads between Waen Aberwheeler and Llandyrnog. 

There is a good chance that this walk will be adapted to use quiet lanes if the riverside route looks boggy.

Saturday 30th March 2019.

The Edge to Nether Alderley and the Edge and Hough.
Cancelled - see below for new walk.

Distance: 9-10 miles; Climb: Not a lot (less than 1000' at a guess).

Start: National Trust car Park close to the Wizard Restaurant, Alderley Edge. This is a Pay and Display car park - Free to National Trust Members. Grid ref: SJ860773.

Leave Chester at 8-30 a.m. and meet at the car park.



This walk combines two walks from Graham Beech's book " East Cheshire Walks". He describes it as being moderate. The walk will again probably give us views of the communications tower on Croker Hill/Sutton Common. We may also get the opportunity to visit Nether Alderley Mill (National Trust- so bring your N.T cards with you if you are members.)

New walk for Saturday 30th March 2019.



Llugwy and Lledre. 

Distance: 8-9 miles; Climb: 1000'.

Start: Railway station car park in the centre of Betws-y Coed. Grid ref: SH795565. 

Leave Chester at 8-30 a.m. (It takes about 1 hour 10 minutes from Saltney)



This is another walk taken from Dave Berry's new book "Walks Around Betws-y-Coed and the Conwy Valley". This walk links the beautiful wooded Llugwy and Lledre Valleys. It takes in Sarn Helen, the former Roman Road, and reaches over 800' before descending in to the Lledre Valley. It involves a steep climb to Llyn Elsi or at least that is what Dave Berry says!

The last couple of times I have done this, the weather has not been kind, but hopefully at with only a 10% chance of rain forecast at the moment, it should be OK.