Lower Gronant, Barkby Beach and Point of Ayr Round 30th June 2021

Pyramida orchids,

The first as yet unidentified remains - suggestions welcome.

Sea holly and orchids.

The bird we were hoping to see.

A Skylark - another good spot.

Distant views of the Little terns.

One of the six delightful juvenile Winter wens that flew across the path withinin a couple of feet of us.

The Common spotted orchid seen today.

Not a good spot - but a very unexpected one to see on the beach.

The Point of Ayr Lighthouse o Talacre Beach.

Distance: 11.6 miles. Climb: 290'.
Time: 5 hours 20 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.7 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.2 m.p.h.
Temperature: 19.1 Celsius to 23.8 Celsius.
Beuafort Wind Force: 0 - 3. Calm, light air, mainly light breeze and occasionally gentle breeze.
Group: Martyn, Nigel and Wendy.

This walk when planned had two main objectives, to see the Little terns and to look for orchids, particularly the Pyrimad orchids, but arriving at the start, Nigel added an extra one just for himself, namely t test out his new walking boots.

All three objectives were attained, although it was a little disappointing to find that we were 30 metres or more away from the fenced off Little tern colony. Having said that we did get good views of the terns as one or two flew quite near to us and the noise from the colony could be clearly heard from some distance away.

Perhaps the surprises ound of the day came he pig-like squeals coming from the reeds as we had lunch on Presthaven Beach. This was the first time that some of the group had a Water rail calling from the reeds in this way.

As a walk with bird spotting on the vagenda, this proved to pretty good. The birds seen or heard today included: Little tern, Skylark, Meadow pipit, Linnet, Greenfinch, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, House sparrow, Lesser black back gull, Herring gull, Common blackbird, Sedge warbler, Cetti warbler, Common whitethroat, Common pheasant, woodpigeon, Little egret, Moorhen, Mute swan, Eurasian curlew, Barn swallow Oystercatcher, Winter wren Goldfinch, Common kestrel, and Black billed magpie.

If flowers had been on the agenda, this would have been a good walk as well, with two different orchids being spotted along with at least twenty other flowers seen.

We also came across three corpses - a shrew, hedgehog and the remains of a very unusal looking species ( see photo).

Overall a very enjoyable walk with everyone enjoying refreshments at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn. Lees bitter and G and T were drinks that reached the right spot for us!

It was great to get home to find my boots only had a little sand and shell bits in the tread - a five minute clean was all that was needed.

Harris Hikers Socially Distance Walks June 2021

June 2021 Walks

Welsh Covid-19 rules still apply:- registering the intent to walk with the walk organiser, keeping socially distancing on the walk and wherever possible going to the start of the walk independently. Bring a face covering, just in case it is required.

Wednesday 2nd June 2021.

Y Foel. 

Distance: 8.5 miles. Climb: 1400'.
Start: Mill Street (A539), riverside car park, Llangollen. Pay and display car park adjacent to the Ponsonby Arms. Grid ref: SJ216421 (LL20 8RY).
Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.
This is a walk taken from David Berry's booklet " Walks Around the Berwyn Mountains and the Ceiriog Valley.
The walk explores the upland area to the south of Llangollen. The route visits the summit of Y Foel and the remains of Biddulph Tower. We should get good views in all directions from this point. The return route inludes using a the North Berwyn Way from Vivod Mountain. This will the second time we have used this section of the North Berwyn Way as it heads north east towards Ffynnon-las Wood.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, David S, Ed, Sue and Michel.

Saturday 5th June 2021.

Around Llyn Brenig.

Distance: 9.8  miles; Climb: 610'.
Start: Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre car park (Pay and Display). Grid ref: SH968547' .
Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.
This walk is based on a walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Hidden Heart Of North Wales" or "Walks Around the Hiraethrog Moors and Lakes". This is a low level walk and is a gentle stroll around the lake. Hopefully the Osprey has returned to one of the nesting platform in the lake, although a goose had taken over the usual platform after it had been restored after vandels had cut the post down. Hopefully we will see one on the new nesting platform or even fishing in the reservoir. Bring your binoculars if you have them.

Planning to walk today: Martyn, Mike, Ed.

Wednesday 9th June 2021.

Eglwyseg Escarpment and Trevor Rocks.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb:1200'. Can be made shorter if need be.

Start: Off road parking on the Panorama road just East of the monument. Grid ref: SJ247426.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

This must be one of the best walks in the Llangollen area, especially on a sunny day. a walk that makes you feel like you're  on top of the world with superb views in all directions, including the Dee Valley, Dinas Bran, the Llantysilio Mountains and the Berwyns. This is one of our  favourite walks and is always on the list at least once every year.

Planning to walk today: Martyn, Mike, Ed.Nigel, Fran.

Saturday 12th June 2021.

Holyhead Breakwater Country Park and South Stack.

Cancelled.

Distance:10 miles. Climb:1326'.

Start: Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (Pay and Display). SH225833

Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.

This is another walk that has become an annual favourite. Along the coastal section there should be  good chances of seeing Choughs, Guillemots, Razorbills and even Puffins. Bring binoculars if you can. If time and energy reserves allow we may visit the summit of Holyhead Mountain.

As we start at the Country park, we will again do the walk in a clockwise direction, finishing the  walk along the Coastal Path.

Planning to walk today: Martyn

Wednesday 16th Jun 2021.

Melin-y-Wig and Derwen.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 975'.

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".  I have only done this walk once before starting from this car park and that was more than 10 years ago. 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 only other thing I remember about this walk is that the final section involves climbing out of the valley up to the car park - not the most ideal way to end a walk.

Planning to walk today: Martyn, David S, Nigel, Mike.

Saturday 19th June 2021.

Porth-Llwyd Falls, Cwm Port-Llwyd and Moel Eilio.

Distance:10.3  miles; Climb: 2100'.

Start: Roadside parking in Dolgarrog next to the Dam Disaster Memorial. Grid ref:SH767686
Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.
This walk combines another two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Betws-y-coed and the Conwy Valley". One walk, he describes as a demanding 3 mile walk ascending the steep wooded slopes above Dolgarrog and includes a waymarked trail commemorating the 1925 dam disaster. The second walk explores remote upland valleys using an old 2' narrow railway track and returns across Moel Eilio ridge. The final part of this walk passes Porth-Llwyd Falls, a popular attraction with Victorian visitors.

Upto six or upto 30 for organised groups.

Planning to walk today: Martyn, Mike

Wednesday 23rd June 2021.

Ffrith Mountain and the Alyn Gorge and More.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 1300'.
Start: Lay-by on the Cadole to the Pantymwyn road. Grid ref: SJ205627. Approaching Loggerheads on the A549, Mold to Ruthin Road and after passing the former Rainbow Inn (now a building site), take the next road on the right just before the newsagent. The lay-by is almost immediately on the right by the telephone kiosk.

Leave Chester: 09-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's Book " More Walks in the Clwydian Hills" He describes it as an excellent walk exploring beautiful valleys and foothills. We usually start at Loggerheads, but as it is £5 to park for more than 4 hours we will start up the road in Cadole.

Planning to walk today: Martyn, Mike, Nigel, David S, Fran, Sue and Michel.

Saturday 26th July 2021.

Aled Isaf and More.

Distance: 10-11 miles. Climb: 1500'.

Start: Off road parking just before the dam on Llyn Aled. Grid ref: SH916579.

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the Denbigh Moors" or his slightly newer book "Hidden Heart of North Wales". The walk explores the expansive  tract of moorland and upland pastures around  Llyn Aled and  Aled Isaf. The route in part follows tracks not easily seen and is for experienced walkers only.  At one point the walk follows a delightful upland path via Llys Dymper, before returning South over the moorland top of Foel Lwyd. The extension allows us to explore moorland paths over Moel Bengam and Cefn Du along paths that I have wanted to explore for some time. Has been known to be boggy, but hopefully not too boggy at this time of the year. As an extra challenge we may complete this walk in an anticlockwise direction, the opposite way to the way we normally complete the walk!

When we did this walk in July 201, we shortened the walk to 8.4 miles and a climb of 731'.

Planning to walk today: Martyn

Wednesday 30th June 2021.

Gronant, Prestatyn, Talacre and The Point of Ayr.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 200'.
Start at Gronant Dunes Car Park on Shore Road:  Grid Ref: SJ090837 This road off the A548, Moston Road and signposted to Presthaven Sands / Gronant Dunes.This is a new starting point.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m. 
This is a walk that is always on the list at this time of the year, as it is always a good time to see Little terns, so bring binoculars with you. Hopefully we will see orchids too.
High tide is at about 16-00, and is about 26.5' / 8.1 m. The route starts by heading north down Shore Road to Presthaven Sands where will first head west through the golf course to Prestatyn's Barkby Beach. We will then walk on the beach or follow the path along sthe top of the dunes as far a the Little Tern colony. After visiting the RSPB Viewpoint and Visitor Hut, we will probably continue along the beach towards the Point of Ayr Lighthouse. Hopefuly we will find a suitable place to have lunch on the beach, unless we have walked fast enough to reach the picnic tables next path to the Point of Ayr RSPB hide. If time allows and everyone is willing, we will visit the RSPB Hide, before  returning to  Presthaven Sands through The Warren Nature Reserve.

Planning to walk today: Martyn, Nigel, Wendy

Around Aled Isaf 26th June 2021

The view of Llyn Aled from the start of the walk near the dam.

Is this the summit of Cefn Mawr? 

Probably not as I was standing on it.

One of the many Meadow pipits seen today.

One of the boundry stones seen on the open moorland, west of Moel y Gaseg-wen.

Wind turbines n the distance:

The high peaks in the cloud.

Approaching Aled Isaf Reservoir.

8 of the 20 Canada geese on Aled Isaf.

Distance: 8.5 miles. Climb: 951'.
Time: 4 hours 58 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Oveall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Beaufort wind force: 0 - 3. Calm - light breeze -the occasioal gentle breeze.
Temperature: 14.1 Celsius on the open moorland , 17.1 Celsius at lunchtime north of Beaver Grove and 20.1 Celsius on the road douth of Aled Isaf.
Group: Martyn and Mike.

The weather forecast for today was quite accurate, giving us an overcast morning and sunny spells and only a gentle beeze. The highest temperature for us today, was a little highe than the 17 Celsius on the forecast, but we weren't complaining.

Although there hasn't been a lot of rain this month, tramping across the open moorland west of Moel y Gaseg-wen was a test of the waterproof properties of our boots.

This was a Meadow pipit and Skylark day, the whole area seemed to be a hotspot for them. I can't remember seeing and hearing so many singing Skylarks on one walk.

Birds seen and heard today included: Meadow pipit, Skylark, Common buzzard, Red kite, Common blackbird, Eurasian curlew, Pied wagtail and Canada goose.

We had good distant views of the mountains of Snowdonia, although their peaks were often in cloud.

Overall a very enjoyable walk and only presents from the local sheep to remove from our boots when we got home.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn where Lees bitter and a brew from the Llyn Brewry went down well.

Around Ffrith Mountain and The Alyn Gorge and Moel Famau for some 23rd June 2021

Local residents preparing to make way for Harris Hikers.

At the stile on the west side of Ffrith Muntain.

Moel Famuau - the high point for some.

The way to Cilcain - for all of us i the end.

Leaving the lunch spot.

The continental way for walkers shielding from the Sun's rays, but today the"leader" doesn't have that excuse!

David's owl.

Time to say goodbye at least for today!

Distance: 8.4 miles - 10.0 miles. Climb: 1076' - 1500' (Depending on starting point and completing the extension to Moel Famau).

Time: 5 hours 24 vminutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, David S, Sue and Michel, Nigel and Mike.

The forecast for today didn't seem too bad, with light showers arriving after mid-day, unfortunately it turned out to be more persistent rain after lunch, but we were shelterted from the worst of it as we walked along the leete back to Loggerheads.

The walk didn't start too well as our chosen start point the layby at Cadolewas already full and only two cars could park off road opposite the Loggerheads Monument, leaving David S to head to the Loggerheads Country Park car park with its £5 parking fee if you stayed longer bthan 4 hours.

Despite all stating at diffedrent points, we all met up at the Loggerheads Country Park to start the walk together.  The number 1 objective was now to make sure that the walk lasted more than 4 hours to ensure that DS got his money worth for the parking fee. At least that objective was achieved!

The younger members of the the group and DS set a fast pace for the first part of the walk and we were in danger of failing our first objective, but later events ensured that we didn't. In the past sections of this walk have been quite boggy, but today it was pretty good underfoot through out the walk.

Our first deviation from the planned route was to go around the south and west side of Ffrith Mountain and linking up with the Clwidian Way. 

Mike and Nigel decided that they wanted to visit the top of Moel Famau while the rest of us followed the Clwydian Way towards Cilcain and planned to wait for the others near the Cilcain Reservoir 3.

It was hile we were having lunch, waiting for the others, that it started to rain, enough to make us put waterproof jackets on and I had to put my umbrella upto protect my binoculars, GPSs and cameras from the rain.

We had to wait wenty minutes or so for the Moel Famau duo to join us ans start their lunch, so the rest of us had a longer than usual lunch break.

DS persuaded us to miss out visiting Cilcain and once on theLeete, the red blob was infront leading the way.  Once again he was the first to spot the naturespot of the day, last week the frog, this week a Tawny owl.

Birds seen or heard today included: Goldfinch, Common blackbird,Common peasant, Woodpigeon, Carrion crow, Common buzzard, Meadow pipit, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, European robin, House martin, Common chaffinch, Yellow hammer and Tawnty Owl.

We arrived back a the cars, having had an enjoyable walk despite the afternoon rain and ready for a celebration quaffing of real ale.  We decided to head for th Red Lion t Penyfordd, but alas we found it didn't open until 16-00. Sue and Michel suggested the Royal Oak at Upper Kinnerton which turned out to be a good choice, and we all enjoyed Timothy Taylor's Landlord.

I was pretty impresed with the improvents made to this establishmet since my last visit in the seventies!

Porth-llwyd Falls and Cwn Porth-llwyd 19th June 2021

Distance: 9.5 miles. Climb: 1401'.

The new memorial to the 1925 Dolgarrog Flood Disaster.

The road leading to llyn Eigiau.

The remains of the breach in the wall that caused the flood.

Looking towards Llyn Eigiau from our lunch spot.

Coedty Reservoir.

A glimpse of Porth-llwyd Falls through the trees.

The road closed / footpath open sign at the northern end of the "highway".

Taking in the history of the Dolgarrog disaster.

The crumpled remains of mining equipment brought down by the flood.

Time: 5 hours 17 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 - 2. (mainly calm, occasionally gusting to a light breeze).
Temperature: 21.2 Celsius to 23.2 Celsius, biefly dropping to 20.2 Celsius.
Group: Martyn and Mike.

We set off from the Dolgarrog Flood Disaster Memorial just before 10-00, and already it felt quite humid and remained so for much of the walk. The start of the walk involved a steady climb up the wooded hillside to Llidiart Fadog where our escape was blocked by a"road closed" barrier. initially we didn't know why as we had not encountered any problems on the track. Later on we came across a similar sign at the opposite end of the track which clearly showed the footpath was open. We cocludd that the sign was indicating that it can no longer be used by four wheeled vehicles as it was once decribed as a "highway".

Once on the road leading into Cwm Porth-llwyd there was no tree cover to shield us from Sun's rays, so we were both glad to have sunhats with us and had ignored the weather forecasts that suggested that there would be no sunny spells.

After passing Waen Bryn-gwenith the valley ahead opened up and we could see the Llyn Eigiau Dam in the distance.

It was just after passing the parking area (full with 18 cars) that we heard the vry distant call of a Cuckoo.

Other birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Willow warbler, Skylark, Stonechat, Eurasian jay, Common pheasant, Common chaffinch, Wheatear, Red kite, Woodpigeon and Mallard.

Lunch was taken sitting on the south side of the Llyn Eigiau dam wall, facing the lake or where the lake should have been.

On the return route to the Coedty Reservoir, we were brifly entertained by a shepherd using his dogs to herd some sheep to a different part of the hillside.

We did get glimpses of Porth-llwyd falls through the trees, but nothing more.

Arriving back at the car at Dolgarrog, we finished the wak by going round the Dolgarrog Disaster Memorial Trail, amazed at the size of the bolders that had been moved by the flood water.

Another good walk, celebrated by a pint of Lees bitter and a pale ale brewed by the Llyn Brewery when we called in at the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn on the way home.

Melin-y-Wig and Derwen 16th June 2021

The start of the walk along this delightful avenue on the edge of the Boncyn Foel-bach forest.

David's Frog number 1.

The Clwydian Hills to the east of the path after escaping from the forest.

The view looking south westward.

Our lunch spot by the Afon Clwyd - east of Melin-y-Wig.

Don't ask what Mike is doing?

If you can't tell, he's starting to eat an Orange.

Nigel at the Derwen Preaching Cross.

Mike inspecting Sarah's Well.

Panarama looking south over the Vale of Clwyd towards the Clwydian Hills and Denbigh Moors.

Not the easiest exit from a path, a securely tied gate including barbed wire.

Distance: 8.3 smiles. Climb: 1001'.
Time: 4 hours 28 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Temperature: 22.1 Celsius (lunch time) and 21.2 Celsius (at the end of the walk).
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 - 2 (Mainly calm- ligh air - and occasionally a delightful light breeze).
Group: Martyn, Mike, Nigel and David S.

This is an unusual walk in that it starts almost the highest point and then drops down to the Afon Clwyd at Melin-y -Wig, and resulted in a steepish climb out of the valley upto the B5105 and the start at the Boncyn Foel-bach, Natural Resources Wales Car Park.

The path through the forest, south of Glan-y-gorse, but thanks to GPSs with OS mapping, we eventually made it through to the right stile and enjoy the light breeze, a relief from the humiditiy in the forest.

Lunch was taken next to the Afon Clwyd, where several fallen trees covered in dry moss provided comfortable seating.

Today proved to be a day for pleasant conversations with the locals and some didn't mind most of the group admitting that they were English!

David S was in good form spotting a Jay, two Frogs, a friendly Slug and a Grey squirrel.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Common Chaffinch, Common buzzard, Willow warbler, Barn swallow, Wood nuthatch and Red kite (seen by some, but not by me).

The distant views today were pretty good, especially towards the Clwydians.

Overall a very enjoyable walk, requested to be done again, but perhaps in the reverse direction.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Druids Inn, Llanferres, where Purple Moose's Cwrw Eryri was excellent, demanding a second pint by those not driving! This was definately much better than a second bag of crisps, even if they were Pipers!

The Eglwyseg Escarpments and Trevor Rocks 9th June 2021

A hovering Kestrel at the start of the walk, probably a female,

Debating on the top of Trevor Rocks?

A moody looking Llantysilio Mountain Range. 

The view from our lunch spot overlooking World's End.

The Ponderosa and the Llantysilio Mountains looking a bit happier.

Looking south owards the cliffs of the Eglwyseg Escarpments.

Distance: 9.4 miles. Climb: 1460' (Wind assisted GPS reaing).
Time: 5 hours 5 minutes.On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Temperature: 19.2 - 22.1 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 - 5 (Calm, gusting to a Fresh breeze).
Group: Martyn, Ed, Nigel, Fran and Mike.

Major road works on the A483 around Wrexham and the first Llangollen exit and roundabout, meant bthat we had a late start to the walk.

Earlier frustrations were soon dispastched as we headed across the Trevor Rocks above the Monument and on across Eglwyseg Mountain towards World's End.

We had superb views of a Kestrel at the start o the walk, but this was surpasserd by heaering severa Cuckoos calling and seeng at least one and probably two near the Eglwyseg Plantation.

Views were pretty good, especially across the Eglwyseg Valley towards the Llantysilio Mountans.

Lunch was taken near Craig yr Adar, whee we all found suitable rocks on which to perch, with good views over World's End.

the clouds looked threatening at times, but we didn't get anything more that a few spots of rain

The return route along the top of the escarpmentas, never fails to impress as you look south along the escarpments.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common kestrel, Stonechat, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Willow warbler, Jackdaw Eurasian curlew, Raven and Cuckoo.

We arrived back at the cars, having had a superb walk and ready to celebrate at the Sun at Trevor. A Three Tuns Brew was quaffed by all, and my Oregon Pale brewed by Weetwood takeaway doesn't look like lasting very long!