A Clwydian Hills Round From Cilcain 30th March 2022

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Walk stats: 

Distance: 11.5 miles. Climb: 1333 floors / 1330'. (in step apps a floor is 3m /10')

Group: Mike and Fran
Starting at Cilcain we walked along the low level path to the bottom of Moel Arthur . As the mist was down we skirted the top and went down to the bottom of Pennycloddiau taking a clockwise route  approaching the summit of Pennycloddiau from The bottom of Moel yr Parc
 ( the one with the mast ). This side has been massively churned up by tractors used to take food up to cows . Luckily the ground was dry so no mud but its previous beauty has been spoiled . We returned to the bottom of Moel Arthur and decided against the easy route back from whence we came and decided the slog up Moel Llys-y-coed was worth it for the gentle walk towards Moel Fammau and back past the reservoir to Cilcain. Fran remembered the occasion when we were out walking many years ago and we were asked by a fellow walker if we had any sandwiches because her dog had collapsed with fatigue!! Luckily for us we had already eaten so no butties available.  The walk, despite rather dreich conditions was a splendid day out and was completed by a rather delicious pint at  Rake Hall in Ellesmere Port . We saw loads of pheasants a crow or two and  an odd seagull and the melodious sounds of an unidentified song bird . No flowers observed though a beautiful sycamore about to burst forth brought delight. 

Report and photos by Fran,

Harris Hikers Dates and Walks March 2022

Currently the UK of Welsh Governments have changed their Covid rules / gudelines to Zero Level which means there are nor restriction in place as far as outdoor walks.

Remember some Welsh Covid Restrictions still apply in Wales, so it is still law to wear face coverings in health care situations, so bringing a face covering makes sense.

 Although it is no longer a law, you may also want touse them in places like as Public Conveniences (PCs), shops or on Public transort.

Remember to let me know that you plan to walk so that I know how many route maps I need to bring and on special occasions how many pieces of fruit cake.

Wednesday 2nd March 2022.

Gadlys, Nant-y-Flint and More.

Distance: 7 - 9 miles; Climb:1100'.

Start: Public car park adjacent to the Stag Inn at Bagillt. Grid ref:SJ219753.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

This walks is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain" and is nominally 7 miles. The walk explores the attractive undulating rural hinterland between Bagillt and Flint.

When we did this walk in 2010 it was over 10 miles, but since then our desire for walks over 10 miles has waned a little, so I have of reduced the walk by missing out most of the east of Holywell walk that we did then. This means that walk will be between 7 and 9 miles, depending on whether we decide to extend the walk a little from the described walk. there are two possible short extension, one to the West and one to the East. We can decide on the day if we want to do both, one or none of them!
 Some of the field paths have been known to be somewhat muddy on past visits and we have had to wade through longish grass - gaiters recommended!

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Ed. 

(Those not walking: Fran.Mike.Sue and Michel, Wendy. David S.) 

Saturday 5th February 2022

Denbigh and The Ystrad Valley

Distance: 7- 8 miles. Climb:800.
Start: Layby on A543 west of Denbigh.

Leave Chester 08-30.

This is a last minute change to the walk, to enable one of the group to be able to have a reasonable walk and still get back in time to get to a family commitment in the afternoon.

This walk explores both the north and south sides of Denbigh. Much of the sarea around the Ystrad Valley including Dr Johnson's Cottage and Gwanynog with have covered on walks before, but north of Denbigh will be new to us, but is a route devised by Ed.

Several fields are crossed, so be prepared for "mud", particularly n the south east side of the town. Gaiters recommended!

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, Ed.

(Those not walking: )

Wednesday 9th March 2022.

Stokyn, The Coastal Path and More.

Distance: 8.0 miles Climb: 800'.

Start: Greenfield Valley Car Park, Bagillt Road, Grrenfield. Free parking) Grid ref: SJ196774.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

This is another walk taken from Ron Williams and Elfed Jones' booklet "10 Walks Around Holywell". Much of the walk is familiar to all of us. As this walk is nominally shorter than our usual walk, it will probably give us time to explore the grounds of Basingwork Abbey, or maybe extending the walk after perusing the map at lunch time. Last time we did this walk, we ended up doing 10.3 miles. However starting at Greenfield rather than Halkyn Street  in Holywell shortens the walk by about a mile.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike Ed, Nigel, Wendy. 

(Those not walking:Michel and Sue, David S)

Saturday 12th March 2022.

Port Penryn, Its Railways and Rivers.

Distance:7-10 miles. Climb: 600'.
Start: Bangor. Car park on the right just before the main road bends left to the centre. Grid ref: SH595728.
Leave Chester 8-00a.m.
This walk is taken from a book by Dave Salter and Dave Worrall called "From Mountain Top to Valley Floor". The described walk explores the hinterland behind Penryn Castle. Last time we explored the grounds of Penryn Castle. It do not intended to do so this time, but just in case we do, bring your National Trust Membership Card with you if you are a member.

The last time we did this wak was in January 2016.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, Ed.
(Those not walking: )

Wednesday 16th March 2022.

Chirk Walk 1

Chirk, Craignant, (Selattyn Hill),Selattyn, Quinta and Chirk Bank.

Distance: 9 miles ( 10 miles if Selattyn Hill is included). 

Climb:1700’(1900' if Selattyn Hill is included)

Start: Chirk Free parking) Grid ref: SJ29123782

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

This walk is one devised by a friend of DS and explores the area to the south west of Chirk. It follows sections of the Ceiriog trail, the Maelor Way and Offa's Dyke.

It has the added interest of including a replica of Stonhenge that can be visited if we choose. There is also a small tunnel to go through for those that like to make use oftheir head torches.

At Craignant we can extend the walk sightly by taking the alternative path over Selattyn Hill with its trig point and tower.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, David S., Ed, Fran, Nigel. 

(Those not walking: Mike, Wendy)

Saturday 19th March 2022.

Another Walk On Conwy Mountain.

Postponed.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb:1800' at a guess!
Start: Long stay car park on the B5106 at Conwy. (Pay and Display.£4-50 for more than 4 hours). Grid ref:SH781773.

Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.
This walk is taken from Carl Rogers's book "Walking in the Conwy Valley". Much of the routes as far as Conwy is the same as we have done on the last two occasions,. It goes through the harbour, follows riverside before passing the school and then climbing to Conwy Mountain along he North Wales path. The return route goes South towards Henryd. The last time this walk was on the list was in April 2017.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

(Those not walking:Mike)

The Three Lakes Walk on Denbigh Moors.

Postponed.

Distance:11.6 miles; Climb:1523'.
Start: Park on grass verge just before crossing over the dam (Eastern side of the Llyn Aled). Grid ref:SH916579.
Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's books "Walks in the Hidden Heart of North Wales" and Walks Around Hiraethog Moors and Lakes" whichever you prefer. Same walks, just different covers, and one walk has been extended a little in the former book. Llyn Aled, Llyn Alwen and the Alwen Reservoir are the three "lakes" visited. In the past sections have been quite boggy to say the least, but hopefully it won't be too bad at this time of the year.  This walk is not everyone's cup of tea, but over the years, it has become one of my favourite walks on the Denbigh Moors.

Those planning to walk: Ed.

(Those not walking:Mike, Martyn(self isolating until at least 25th March).)

Wednesday 23rd March 2022.

Ysceifio-Lixwm-Nannerch.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 1050'.
Start: Ysceifiog, park adjacent to the children's play area. Grid ref: SJ152715.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.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. A few changes have been made to reduce the walk to about 8 miles and the climb to about 1000'.

Those planning to walk: Fran, Ed, Mike, Nigel.
(Those not walking: Martyn (self isolating until at least 25th March), David S., Wendy ).

Saturday 26th March 2022.

Around Bosley Cloud. 

Cancelled.

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.

Those planning to walk: .
(Those not walking: Martyn(self isolating until at least 25th March).

Replacement Saturday Walk. Crimpiau and more from Crafnant car park. 

Walking Mike and Ed (Not walking Nigel)

Wednesday 30th March 2022.

Chirk Walk 2.

Chirk, Chirk Bank, Bramble Wood, Ddol and the Llangollen Canal

Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 800'.

Start: Chirk Free parking) Grid ref: SJ29123782

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

This walk is one devised by a friend of DS and explores the area mainly to the west of Chirk. Most of this walk is new to most of us, particularly the section that follows the Maelor Way through Bramble Wood and the area betwen Ddol and the Llangollen Canal. Exploring new areas always gives added interest to a walk.

Those planning to walk: Fran .

(Those not walking:Martyn (LFT still positive), Ed, David S, Wendy, Nigel)

Crimpiau and more from Llyn Crafnant 26th March 2022

1 Monument at Llyn Crafnan with the peaks we climbed in the distance.

2 Jumpers off time.

3 Shirt off time with Llyn Crafnant in background.

4 Coffee time at Crimpiau.

5 Coffee stop with superb views.

6 On top of Craig wen.

7 Our next objectives.

8 Lunch spot with superb views.

9 Who is this stick man on top of Cragiau Glesion?

10 Frog spawn on Cragiau Glesion.

11 Llyn Cowlyd and Pen Llithrig y Wrach from Cragiau Glesion's 2nd summit.

12 Back to the start and the view of our route.

Group Mike and Ed

Walk stats 8.5 miles in 6.5 hours, 2173ft gained appx.

Temperature 10 Celsius on tops to 17 Celsius in sheltered spots. Light to moderate breeze  (on tops)

Another almost perfect day for a walk with only hazy views as a downside.

We started from a cool Crafnant car park with jumpers and gilet on but by the time we reached the first up of the day by Blaen Y Nant we had taken them off.

Our first objective was Crimpiau which didn't disappoint with sweeping views of Snowdonia, the Glyders, The Carneddau, Moel Siabod and Llyn Crafnant. A coffee stop here was in order to take in all the views. We met a scout group here whom were doing a similar walk to us. After assessing the paths in the distance we headed to our next port of call Craig Wen where footpaths were better than expected but a little bit of bog avoidance was needed. After ascending Craig Wen which involved minimal scrambling we headed towards Moel Ddefaid and Craig Llwyn. Still having great vistas of Snowdonia etc.

We decided to have lunch on a sheltered spot between Craig Lwyn and Cragiau Glesion in 17 Celsius heat looking at views over Tryfan.

Next was the next accent of the day over the plateau of Craigiau Glesion, where we met the Scout group again at its summit. Here we stopped to take in the views of Llyn Cowlyd and Pen Llithrig y Wrach.

After this we continued to a second summit of Cragiau Glesion before decending through a boggy cleared woodland path and the a much nicer woodland track back to the Llyn Crafnant circular path, which we took back to the car.

Overall a great day with 5 summits bagged and easier than thought navigation.

After walk refreshments were taken at the Fairy Falls Hotel where a pint of of Doom Bar and a refreshing Berry Cider went down like a treat.

Peaks climbed, Crimpiau, Craig Wen, Moel Ddefaid, Craig Lwyn, Cragiau Glesion.

Birds Identified on walk, Canada Goose, Robin, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Great spotted woodpecker (heard).

Report and photos by Ed.

A Ysceifiog - Lixwm - Nannerch Round 23rd March 2022

1 KING CUP BY YSCEIFIOG LAKE.

2 WEIR BY YSCEIFIOG LAKE.

3 WHY ARE WEIR WAITING.

4 PREFOUND SAYING BY FFRITH FARM ON THE GREEN TRACK WE TOOK INSTEAD OF DEVISED ROUTE.

5 VERY YOUNG LAMBS IN HAFOD-DEW FARM.

6 DONKEYS NEAR LIXWM.

 LUNCH SPOT IN THE SUN.

8 NANNERCH CHURCH.

9 NOT SO DELIGHTFUL PATH FROM FRON.

10 ALMOST BACK TO YSCEIFIOG CHURCH AND OUR START POINT.

Distance 8.5 miles Climb 1000ft appx Time 5 hours
Group Mike, Nigel, Fran and Ed
Temperature Appx 15c wind slight breeze.
It was almost perfect conditions for a walk today with bright sunshine and a cooling breeze.
We started by walking past Ysceifiog lake and into the woods, but seemed to of missed the correct path, so found a delightful green track from Bron Fadog farm that went the correct way. Against the norm, we had a coffee stop near Waen Isaf, looking over towards Moel Famau. We then headed towards Lixwm, arriving a little too early for lunch we decided to press onwards, eventually having lunch in a field near Rhewl looking over a lovely house. After a leisurely lunch in the sun we headed towards Nannerch and down a lovely streamside path towards Fron. Unfortunately the next path from Fron wasn't so delightful with overgrown brushes After that it was pretty much easy going back to Ysceifiog.
Unfortunately the Fox is closed on a Wednesday so post walk drinks were taken at the Blue Bell.
Identified Birds seen on walk, Common Buzzard, Mute Swan, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Canada Goose, Blackbird
Flowers seen on walk King cup, Celendine, Violet, Wood Anenome, Wild Strawberry, Primrose, Pink Campion.

Report and photos thanks to Ed. 

The best I could do was clean out the water but and hope for rain to fill it. alas the only rain in the forecast is over a week away!

Chirk, Craignant, Selattyn Hill, Selattyn and More 16th March 2022

The Chirk Auaduct just aftwer setting off.

Alpacas showing interest in these "odd ball" walkers!

Chirk Castle from the Maelor Way.

On the the Offa's Dyke.

Was this the reason why David S decided to take a short cut back to Chirk?

The view from my lunch spot - not brilluant but at least6 there were daffodild.!

The rest of the group at lunch - seat for on at the picnic table!

Inside Selattyn Tower.

Selattyn Tower,

The Seattyn Tower info board.

St Mary's church, Selattyn.

First views of the "temple / replica of Stonenhenge".

Escaping from the "tunnel",

Looking back through the "tunnel".

Another view of the "temple / replica of Stonenhenge".

Approaching Chirk tunnel, but not for us today!

St. Mary's Church,Chirk the start and of the walk today,
Distance: 11.0 miles. Climb: 1422'.

Time: 6 hours 32 minutes. On the move walking aerage: 2,2 m.p.h. Overall wlk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

temperature: 11.2 Clsius at lunch. 8. 2 Celsius a we passed the Butchers Arms at Weston Rhyn and 6 Celsius at Chirk at the end of the walk.

Ba\ufort Wind Force: At most 2 - just a light breeze.

Group: Martyn, Ed, Nigel, Fran and David S.

we were expecting rain all day, but thankfully it didn't really arrive until after lunch.

The higlight of the walk was walking on the the Offa's Dyke, all we had to do now was to see the "temlpe / replica of Stnonehenge.

All objectives achieved, but perhaps not as we had originally planned.

Birds seen o heard today included: Collared dove, Commn blackbird, Mallard, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Chiffchaf, Common pheasant, House sparrow, Wood nutatch, House sparow, Blue tit and Great tit.

we arrived back at the cars, having had a longer walk than most of us would have liked and all decided that the best option was to head straight home and miss out the usual visit to a local hostelry!

Port Penryn, Its Railways and Rivers 12th March 2022

Looking across the ba to Port Penrhyn.

Some of the boats at Port Penrhyn.

The stone commemorating the setting up of Port Penrhyn.

Part of the Slate Trail along the old track bed.

First views of snow on the Northern Carneddau.

One of the youngest lambs seen on our walks this year.

"Stop wagging that tail, it's making a draft"

The Northern Carneddau seen just after lunch.

A weir on the Afon Ogwen.

Crossing the Afon Ogwen.

The Afon Ogwen on its way to the estuary.

My perfect bicycle seen by the Slate Trail - one that "wooden go"!

Penrhyn Castle seen from the path on he east side of Bangor Mountan.

Flowering Primroses.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.7 miles. Climb: 714'.

Time: 4 hours 44 mintes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Temperature: Lowest - 11.7 Celsius.  Highest: 17.1 Celsius.

Beaufort Wind Force: Max 3  - a gentle breeze.

Group: Martyn, Mike and Ed.

A good day for walking, warmer than expected and in the main we were sheltered from any wind.

We had some really good views, especially towards the northern Carneddau with some of the peakes showing patches of snow. Penrhyn Castle also featured several times, often from a direction not seen by any of us before.

Lesser celandine were seen and for the first time this year we saw a small patch of Primroses in flower.

Birds seen or heard today included: Herring gull, Eurasian curlew, Common redshank Shelduck, Mallard, Grey heron, Wood nuthatch, Blue tit, Great tit, Woodpgeon, Oystercatcher, Greenfinch, Jackdaw, Common buzzard, House sparrow and Common kestrel (seen along the A55 on our way home).

An enjoyable walk, although I'm not looking forward to cleaning my boots in the morning!

After walk drinks and crisps were enjoyed by two of us at the Blue Bell in Halkyn where the Lees bitter went down well.