Latest Information About Harris Hikers from 23rd March 2023.
After much discussion between group members, those present decided to follow DS’s suggestion that “Short walks with an. option of a meal at a nearby venue” should take place on the fifth Wednesday in a month, and members of the group would take it in turns to plan the walk and venue.
There are two such Wednesdays left in 2024.
.These are:- July 31st, and October 30th.
It was also agreed that Wednesday Walks should in the main be walks of around 8 miles with no more than about 1200’ of climb. If proposed walks exceed these suggestions routes should have obvious short cuts to reduce distance and / or climb involved.
It was also agreed that each month a different member of the group should plan the walk.
This walk should be for the Wednesday in the month and that would include the “Short Walk and Meal Option” on the fifth Wednesday.
In order to include that walk in the monthly “Dates and Walks Post", details of the walk need to be sent to me by 15th of the previous month.
Wherever possible I would like people to let me know of their intention to walk or not to walk by Monday afternoon/early evening prior to the walk on Wednesday. There isn’t an issue with last minute cancellations for any reason. This happens anyway when adverse weather is forecast at the last minute.
Where the “Short Walk and Meal” is concerned, the person planning the walk and meal should
be contacted directly and informed of their intentions as soon as you have made your decision.
Short Walk and Meal 31st July 2024.
This month is another month that has five Wednesdays, a month in which we have a short walk followed by a meal.
However I am aware that this is the height of the holiday season and some of the group will be away.
At the moment, the planned walk would start at the Stamford Bridge and would be one of their walks (they describe as strolls).
The two walks are:1) Great Barrow and Plemstall - 6.5 miles and 2) Tarvin and The Roman Bridges - 5.5 miles.
Full descriptions of both walks can be found on the Stamford Bridge website.
In order to decide if we should go ahead with the short walk this month, I would be grateful if you would let me know as soon as possible if you plan to go on the short walk and if you are planning to walk, which of the two walks you would like to do.
It looks like there will be just four of us for this walk. Martyn, David S, Nigel and Elaine.
Wednesday 3rd July 2024.
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.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Nigel, Fran?, Sue and Michel, Ed .
Those not walking: Mike, .
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. We may have to dip our boots in disinfectant as we go through th grounds of a chicken farm.
Saturday 6th July 2024.
Llyn Geirionydd and Llanrhychwyn Church from Trefriw.
Postponed due to heavy rain forecast until after lunch.
Distance: 7 miles. Climb: 1000' at a guess.
Start: Trefriw riverside car park. Grid ref: SH782630.
Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
Those not walking: Mike, .
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Betws-y-coed and the Conwy Valley.
The route psses the Fairy Falls and ten climbs steadily to cross the part wooded slopes above Cwm Crafnant and then follows an old trmline to Llyn Geirionydd. After going around the western side of the lake, the route then heads to the remains of the New Pandora Mine and onto Llanrhychwyn Church.
If time allows, there is a possible extension that follows the Afon Crafnant and Afon Conwy.
Wednesday 10th July 2024.
A Walk Around the Great Orme.
Distance: 8 miles. It can be easily be shorted or extended on the day to suit the needs of the group.
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.
We will probably start by heading up Marine Drive and taking the Monks' Path upto the plateau. Following the paths on the north west side of the Great Orme. After visiting the summit trig point we will probably head for Happy Valley for lunch. At lunch we can decide if we want to return to the West shore via the invalids' terrace or return to the summit and drop down the zig-zag steps.
It is a good time to see butterflies, so hopefully we will se the Pearl borderd blue that Ed saw a couple of weeks ago.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Sue, Michel, Fran, Nigel, Ed.
Those not walking: Mike, .
Saturday 13th July 2024.
Exploring the Environs of Moel-y-Parc.
Postponed.
Distance: 9 -10 miles. Climb: 1500'.
Start: Aberwheeler. Layby opposite Bro Lleweni (or in road round the corner to the left). Grid ref: SJ096694.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
Those not walking: Mike, .
This walk allows us to explore areas north and south of Moel-y-Parc that as yet we haven't explored.
The walk combines two walks in Dave Berry's new booklet "More Walks in the Clwydian Range".
As far as I can see, we will have to completeone walk before embarking on the next one.
Wednesday 17th July 2-24.
Llanasa and Gop Hill.
Distance: 7- 8 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Start: Llanasa Car park opposite the pub and church. Grid ref SJ106815
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Sue and Michel .
Those not walking: Mike, Ed, Nigel, Fran.
This walk combines one walks from Dave Berry's book "More Walks in the Clwydian Hills" with a walk from Bob Harris's book "Walks in Ancient Wales". One walk is described as an exhilarating walk with breathtaking contrasting views and the other visits the ancient sites, including the cairn on Gop Hill.
Saturday 20th July 2024.
Llantysilio Mountains and More.
Postponed Ed is away!
Contact me if you want me to arrange an alternative walk.
Distance: 8 miles; Climb: 1500'.
Start: Parking area opposite the Ponderosa Hotel at the top of the Horseshoe Pass . Grid Ref: SJ193481.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.Those planning to walk: Martyn, . .
Those not walking: Mike, Ed.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Llangollen and the Dee Valley.
This isn't a very popular walk for most of the group, but it's one that Ed put on his list of walks to do, Hence the reason for me putting it on on a day that I know most of the group wouldn't want to walk.
This is a roller coaster of a walk with challenging ups and especially downs!
Wednesday 24th July 2024.
Llanarmon-yn-Ial, Eryrys and Around Moel y Gyw.
Distance: 8-9 miles; Climb:1700'.
Start:Pistyll Gwyn Quarry car park. 1 mile north of Llanarmon-yn-Ial. Grid ref:SJ188573.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Nigel, Ed.
Those not walking: Mike, Sue and Michel, Fran.
This walk uses two walks taken from Carl Roger's book "Walking in the Clwydian Hills". We have completed both walks before, but have never tried to link them together before. The Eryrys walk is described as exploring the lesser-known limestone hills separated from the main Clwydian ridge by the Alyn Valley. Views throughout the walk are superb! The second walk involves the ascent of Moel Gyw which also has superb views of the Clwydian Hills to both the north and the south.
The last time we did this walk in November 2015, we had to negotiate a path that was partially flooded in order to get to a footbridge over a river in spate. Hopefully at this time of the year it shouldn't be too bad underfoot.
Saturday 27th July 2024.
Around Cwm Ceirw.
Postponed.
Distance:8-9 miles.
Climb:2000+' at a guess.
Start: Car Park in Cerrigydrudion. Close to the garage on the left approaching the village from the Ruthin road.
Grid ref: SH954488.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
(Those not walking: Ed, Mike)
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks around Hiraethog Moors and Lakes".
He describes it as a walk exploring the the remote hills and valleys between Cerrigydrudion and Llangwm.
If time allows I would like to investigate a possible parking area on the A5 just down the road near Glasfryn. It is a layby on the left just before a garage and before entering the village at Grid ref: SH917502. If this parking area is OK then there are another a couple of good walks that start from Glasfryn that we can do.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
Wednesday 31st July 2024.
Short walk followed by a meal at the Stamford Bridge, Tarvin Road, Chester.
Postponed - will try again on 30th October 2024
