Dates an Walks November 2019

Updated 21st November 2019.

Saturday 2nd November 2019.

The Little Orme and Bryn Euryn. 
This walk will now be on Wednesday 20th November.
See below.

Distance: 8 miles Climb: 800'.
Roadside parking
Leave Chester at 08-30. Roadside parking next to Paddling Pool and PC on Coast Road at Craig y Don, East side of Llandudno. Grid ref: SH799821.
It may be a little early, but there is a chance that we will be able to see seals i Porth Dyniewaid.
After the Little Orme we head along the coast. High tide is at about 13-45, so we will probably be able to walk alog the beach towards Rhos-on-Sea. After climbing out of Rhos-on-Sea to Bryn Euryn. On a clear day we should get good views from the top of Bryn Euryn to compliment those we get from the Little Orme. The return route to the start is largely along quiet lanes.

Wednesday 6th November 2019.

Thurstaston Common, Stapledon Wood, Caldy and More.

Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 700'

Start: Thursaston Visitor Centre Car Park. Grid ref:SJ239835.

Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.

This is a repeat of the walk that we did on 1st January 2010 and combines two walks from Raymond Roberts' booklet "Wirral Walks - the West Wirral Six". This is a relatively easy walk with good views along the way, especially from Thurstaston Hill. We hope to walk back Thursaston along the beach, so bring binoculars with you. High tide is at 06-25, and is a 23.2' tide (7.1 m), By the time we get there, it will still be just after low tide, so we should have no problems walking along the beach.


Saturday 9th November 2019.


Around Bosley Cloud. 

Postponed due to the weather.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb:1020'.

Start: Lay-by on the A523, South of its junction with the A54. Grid ref: SJ917657.

Leave Chester at 08-30.

This walk is taken from Jen Darling's book "Best Pub Walks in Cheshire", although we won't take her advice on the local hostelries! The walk takes us to the top of Bosley Cloud with its panoramic views over the Cheshire plain.. After visiting the trig point on Bosley Cloud, the walk heads West to meet up with the Macclesfield Canal, which we follow for an easy four mile stretch.

Wednesday 16th November 2019.

The Sandstone Trail - Beeston and Peckforton.


Postponed. We have had so much rain of late that 

I thinks some of the paths will be extremely muddy.

See below for the replacement walk.
Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 1000'.

Start: Pay and display car park at Beeston Castle. Grid ref: SJ540591. The Pay and Display machine only starts at 10-00.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

In the past we have done this walk,as part of a sreies of walks along the Sandstone trail. It involves Walk 6 and Walk 7 from Carl Rogers' book "Circular Walks on the Sandstone Trail".

 I will probably look for ways of reducing the mileage a little.


Replacement walk.


West Kirby, Gilroy Nature Reserve, Grange Hill Caldy Hill and the Wirral Way.


Distance: 9 miles



Climb: 400' .


Start. South Parade, West Kirby. Grid ref: SJ214860. Park near the Life Boat Station and old Baths, towards the Southern end of the Marine Lake.


Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m. 



Usually we start this walk by walking around the Marine Lake and the walking along the beach to Red Rocks, but high tide is at about 11-20 and is a large one at 9.2 m / 30.2'.

If we can't access the route across the beach, we will have to complete the walk in an anti-clockwise direction.

Assuming we can continue the walk in a clockwise direction.

At Red Rocks follow Stanley Road to the cross roads at The King's Gap, turn right and at the roundabout go straight to Station Road.  After crossing the railway turn right into Carr Lane and follow this to its end when it becomes a footpath.  At a junction of paths, turn right towards power lines. When the path meets a fence turn left along the fence. This footpath eventually goes to Gilroy Nature Park and then onto Gilroy Road. 

 From here we will head across Grange Hill and descend to the beacon on Column Road.

 From the beacon, our route takes us south to Caldy Hill to met King's Drive. Heading down hill, turn right onto a path that leads to the Caldy Road.  At Caldy Road we will turn left and the right into Croft Drive West. At the junction with Croft Drive, we will turn right, heading towards the estuary.  We will then turn right and follow the Wirral Way as far as Ashton Park in West Kirby and then head west through the houses back to South Parade and the start of our walk.






Saturday 16th November 2019.


Monsal Head And More.

Distance 8 - 9 miles. Climb: 1900'.

Start: Monsal Head Car Park (Pay and Display). Grid ref: SK184714.

Leave Chester at 08-00.

It is a long time since we started a walk from the Monsal Head. This walk is a rather contrived walk, but it will enable us to walk along the Monsal Trail, including going through a three tunnels, Litton, Cressbrook and Headstone tunnels. There are lights in the tunnels, but taking a torch is recommended just in case they fail for some reason.





The walk follows Water-cum-Jolly Dale,Miller's Dale before joining the Monsal Trail just beyond Litton Mill. The trail is followed as far as Longstone Lane which is followed south before linking up wth field paths back to the start.



Wednesday 20th November 2019.

The Afon Maes Valley.

Postponed - see below for replacement walk.

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

Replacement walk.

The Little Orme and Bryn Euryn. 

Distance: 8 miles Climb: 800'.
Roadside parking
Leave Chester at 08-30. Roadside parking next to Paddling Pool and PC on Coast Road at Craig y Don, East side of Llandudno. Grid ref: SH799821.
It may be a little early, but there is a chance that we will be able to see seals in Porth Dyniewaid.
After the Little Orme we head along the coast. High tide is at about 16-30, so we will probably be able to walk alog the beach towards Rhos-on-Sea. After climbing out of Rhos-on-Sea to Bryn Euryn. On a clear day we should get good views from the top of Bryn Euryn to compliment those we get from the Little Orme. The return route to the start is largely along quiet lanes.

Saturday 23rd November 2019.
Postponed - Billy no mates again.

The Llyn Padarn Circuit and the Powdr Oil Walk.

Distance: 10-11 miles; Climb:1500'.
Start: Lakeside car park close to Llanberis (Pay and Display). Grid ref: SH750770 .
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This is a walk that the group attempted in October 2008, when the weather was somewhat too wet for me and I abandoned the second half of the walk. The rest of the group did complete the walk and agreed it would be good to do the walk again when they could see where they were going! The walks are taken from Dave Salter and Dave Worrall's book "New Walks in Gwynedd From Mountain Tops to Valleys". Fine views are anticipated on a fine day. We did complete the walk again in 2009, so I thought that it was time we did it again.

Or

Craig Bron-Banog and Part of Cwm Alwen. 



Distance: 9 -10 miles; Climb:1100'.

Start:Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr. Riverside picnic site. Grid ref:SH987496. Take the Ruthin to Cerrigydrudion road. Turn right just after the bridge by the Crown Inn. Continue down the road past the church. The picnic area is on the right just before the school.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

Both walks are taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks In the Hidden Heart North Wales". The Craig Bron-Banog walk is new to us. He describes it as an eight mile figure of eight walk exploring the afforested undulating countryside South-east of Llyn Brenig. The route meanders through Clocaenog Forest, passes a hidden waterfall and an ancient standing stone before reaching the highest point of Craig Bron-Banog with its panoramic views.

Wednesday 27th November 2019.

Graig Fawr from Prestatyn via the North Wales Path and Return via Offa's Dyke Path.

Distance:9-10 miles; Climb: 750'.
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 30th November 2019.

Please contact me if you want me to arrange a walk for this day.

Graig Fawr from Prestayn Barkby Beach 27th November 2019

Apprising high tide (about 11-00) at Prestayn Barkby Beach.

At the start of the Offa's Dyke Footpath at Prestatyn.

Y Shed, a new venture along the North Wales Footpath.

Not the most obvious path junction, but this the one that leaves the Prestatyn to Dyserth Way and takes us to Graig Fawr and th e Offa's Dyke Footpath.

The view Graig Fawr towards the Prestatyn Hillside Nature Reserve and Offa's Dyke Footpath.

The OS GPS site east of Graig Fawr.

If a translation is required contact Roger.

Garden gnomes at Red Roofs, but everyone of us could have identified in at least one of these characters (probably more than one).

Lunch at Pant y Fachwen on Offa's Dyke Footpath - always an enjoyable time!

The information board at our lnch spot.

A speeding boat on the sea north of Prestayn Barkby Beach.

The new steps leading to the Prestatyn Hillside Nature Reserve and Offa's Dyke Footpath car park.

The tide has now retreated.

Oystercatchers reclaiming Barkby Beach as the tide retreats.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.1 miles.Climb: 720'.

Time: 4 hours 28 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, David S, Fran and Wendy.

We set off with it being overcast and with dampness in the air, but with hardly any wind, full winter gear wasn't the the gear to opt for today. After about half an hour the Paramo jacket was in my rucksack and remained the rest of the walk.

 Distant views were never good, but at least we could enjoy the environment around us, appreciating that where we were, the weather was much better than that being experienced by others.

 The only part of the route that caused us any concern, was along parts of the Offa's Dyke Footpath above the Prestatyn Hillside Nature Reserve that proved to be muddy and slippery at times.

 Lunch was taken at Pant y Fachwen, the remains of a house next to the Offa's Dyke Footpath. It was hard to believe that a family with nine children could have lived in a house with such a small footprint andwhat appeared to be just two floor level rooms.

 After lunch we had a short and sharp climb along Offa's Dyke Footpath, before descended to Prestatyn's Barkby Beach ad the start of the walk.

 An enjoyable walk and ready to head for the Britannia Inn at Halkyn to celebrate with the usual excellent pint of Lees bitter.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, European robin, Black billed magpie, House sparrow, Common starling, Jackdaw, Herring gull, Black headed gull, Great cormorant, Common starling, House sparrow and Oystercatcher.

The Little Orme and Bryn Euryn 20th November 2019

Eurasian curlew in the field opposite Craig-y-Don shore.

Donkeys in the field west of the Little Orme.

Enjoying the view across the bay towards the Great Orme.

Looking towards the North Wales Coast from the trig point on Little Orme Head.

Porth Dyniewaid and over forty Grey Seals.

At least one seal pup in Porth Dyniewaid.

More Porth Dyniewaid seal pups?

Heading towards Rhos-on-Sea along the "beach".

Llys Euryn and our lunch spot.

Panorama from the Summit Trail on the west side of Bryn Euryn.

At the trig point on Bryn Euryn.

The Little Orme from the north side of Bryn Euryn.

Eurasian curlew in the field opposite Craig-y-Don shore.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.6 miles. Climb: 2034' wind assisted GPS reading in reality about1200'.

Time: 4 hours 37'. On the move walking average: 2. m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Nigel and Mike.

As we set off, it was quite cool due to the South easterly wind, but at least it was dry.

As we climbed to the trig point on Little Orme Head, the wind became even stronger, so after enjoying the views in all directions we didn't waste any time lingering on the top. 

 Arriving in the quarry overlooking Porth Dyniewaid, we weren't disappointed as there were over forty Grey seals in the cove, including several seal pups.

 The tide was out far enough for us to walk along the pebbly beach towards Rhos-on Sea, but it was long before we decided it was easier to walk along the footpath by the road.

 Lunch was taken at the ruins of Llys Euryn, a well sheltered spot much appreciated.

 After lunch we followed the well signed Summit Trail path that gently climbed to the trig point on the top of Bryn Euryn.

 Although much of the last few milers of the walk was along minor roads and we avoided the boggy fields and broken footbridge across the Afon Wydden by taking the road past the Queens Head in Glanwydden (currently undergoing a major refurbishment).

 We arrived back at the car, having had a good walk, with boots only slightly muddy but thankfully having completed the entire walk without a drop of rain.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Eurasian curlew, Oystercatcher, Common starling, Carrion crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Raven, Herring gull, Common blackbird and Black-billed magpie.

 After walk drinks were at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn, where the Lees bitter (served as it should b) was enjoyed by all. Only one of the group was able to enjoy a second pint of the amber nectar!

The Monsal Trail and Three Tunnels 16th October 2019

Heading down the steps to the Monsal Head viaduct.

Cressbrook Mill from the Monsal Trail.

Looking over Cressbrook weir to Water-cum-Jolly Dale.

I think we need to look for an alternative route to Litton - the path through Water-cum-Jolly Dale a flooded a little too much to even attempt.

"Are you sure this is the right road or did someone send you a text?"

Looking downthe valley owards Cressbrook from the top of the escape route road.

The start of the track leading to Litton Mill.

Looking back to Litton Mill and the route we hoped to taking.

Outside Litton Tunnel, the first of the tunnels on our route.

Men behaving badly as they emerged from Litton Tunnel.

Emerging from Cressbrook Tunnel.

Lunchtime on he platfom at the Upperdale station on the Monsal Trail.

Only the Headstone Tunnel left.

The Monsal Trail at Thornbridge Hall Station.

Pennyunk Lane.

Look down the muddy track towards Pennyunk Lane.

Walk stats: 10.0 miles. Climb: 770'.

Time: 5 hours 13 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Mike and Nigel.

We arrived at Monsal Head with dampness in the air and the valley tops in mist, but it wasn't cold. In fact I decided to put my waterproof jacket in my rucksack before I suffered too much from "boil in the bag syndrome". Near views down the valleys were pretty good, but this wasn't to be a day for crystal clear distant views.

 Our first problem occurred after we had dropped down from the Monsal Trail to the Cressbrook Mill.

 The path leading into Water-cum-Jolly Dale was well and truly flooded, but thankfully there was an easy escape routeclimbing up Bottom Hill Road that led to a track taking us back to Litton Mill.

 Once again we came across a section of road that was flood, but with care we managed to get round it without getting wet feet.

 Once on the Monsal Trail, problems with flooded paths was a thing of the past and we could look forward to he main objective of the walk, going through Litton Tunnel, Cressbrook Tunnel and Headstone Tunnel.

 Though we all had head torches, the tunnels were all well lit and disappointingly we didn't have to use them.

 We decided to have lunch at the Upperdale Station, sitting on the edge of the platform as this seemed preferable to all of the wet benches we had passed on route so far.

 After lunch it was the Stonehead Tunnel that led to the Thornbridge Hall Station and the road heading for Ashford in the Water. 

 However we turned onto Pennyunk Lane, a pretty good stony track for a mile so, before we left to take a muddy track that contoured round the fields back to Monsal Head.

 Not many birds seen or heard today, those we did included: Mallard, Woodpigeon, Blue tit, Rook, 7 Whooper swans and a Common kestrel (seen as we started our journey homeward.
Overall a veryenjoyable, one I will do again, but perhaps in the Summer when we can walk through Water-cum-Jolly Dale along the riversided path.

 As a one off change we decided to sample the Lees bitter at the Bears Paw at Upton, and Celia was able to join us. It was only Celia joining us that made this choice worthwhile. The Lees bitter was only on smooth flow, but they did offer MPA and Founders on hand pump. Both the Lees bitter and MPA were served too cold to make them enjoyable. I assume the temperature of Celia's lager was OK.

West Kirby, Red Rocks, Gilroy N.R., Grange Hill and Caldy Hill 13th November 2019.

Roosting Common redshank and Turnstones on the rocks by the Old Baths, West Kirby.

The seaward side of West Kirby Marine Lake.

One man and his dog are somewhere there in the picture!

Feeling safe now that we are in Marine Lake car Park.

Brent geese on West Kirby Shore.

Just a few Dunlin and Knott.

Swirlng Dunlin and Knott over the sea between the shore and Hilbre.

Swirlng Dunlin and Knott over the sea between the shore and Hilbre.

More swirlng Dunlin and Knott over the sea between the shore and Hilbre.

The Memorial on Grange Hill from the Carr Lane Footpath.

Flooded fiels near Carr Lane

On our welcome escape route.

Why we needed an escape route.

The west facing side of Grange Hill Memorial.

The east facing side of Grange Hill Memorial.

Descending on the path over Caldy Hill, eventually passing a few posh houses to the Wirral Way and the coast

Heading northward through the cliff top picnic site back to West Kirby.

Last views of Hilbre. 

A lone walker on the beach, but not one of ours.

Walk stats: 8.9 miles: Climb: 370'.

Time: 4 hours 31 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h. ( Slower than usual as I stopped for afternoon tea!

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, David S., Mike, Paul and Scrumble.

The forecast today was pretty good for walking, overcast , but little chance of rain, a gentle breeze and a little sunshine.

 Our first challenge of the day was the walk along the west side of the Marine Lake, with the tide coming in fast, would be beat or would we get wet feet?

We did make, although we did get splashed a little as the waves crashes on the rocks near us.

  We were also able to walk along the beach towards Red Rocks, taking the recently accepted right of way footpath across the dunes next to the golf course.

 From this vantage point we had some good views of waders on the thousands swirling around over the sea between us and Hilbre.

 Our next challenge came as we was along Carr Lane as it went across flat fields towards Newton/Frankby. Unfortunately much of these fields were flooded and all are efforts to get round the flooded area failed, but we did end up with clean boots rather than muddy boots.

 We did find an alternative route, perhaps not on a right of way, but at least it was  "dry" route to the Gilroy N.R.

 We eventually arrived at the top of Grange Hill, where we took advantage of the many benches there. Fortified fruit cake was provided to energise us for the rest of the walk. By now we were basking in pleasant sunshine.

 After lunch this warm sunshine accompanied us all the way back to the start. I should have taken my jacket off at lunch time, rather than wait to the Caldy Wirral way picnic site and "afternoon tea stop".

Considering our boggy field experiences, this was an enjoyable walk, capped with after walk drinks at the Wheatsheaf at Raby, Brimstage Brewery's Tapper's Hat went down well.

Birds seen or heard included: Dunlin,  Turnstone, Common redshank, Great cormorant, Black headed gull, Great Black backed gull, Knott, Pied wagtail, Goldfinch, European robin, Common blackbird, Woodpigeon,House sparrow, Carrion crow, Common kestrel and Eurasian curlew.