Walks and Dates August 2024

 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 is only one such Wednesdays left in 2024. 

This is  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.

I am always happy to receive suggestions for Wednesday, Saturday or the Short Walk on 30th October.

Advanced Notice 

Ed's Last Wednesday Walk and Meal on18th September 

I am moving to Scotland the week after. 

I have enjoyed my walks with you all and and pleased that I found the group but it's time for me to move on to pastures new to be nearer boardgames friends and a less remote area with hopefully more chances to gain a job.

I propose a 6 mile walk from Chester bus station towards Eccleston via the park and back via the river if not too muddy.

Then lunch in Harkers. Post meal drinks will also be had at Wetherspoons for those who wish. I have booked a hotel for the night.

Please let me know if you can make it so I can organise the meal booking.

Meal Booked for 12-45 at Old Harkers.

Pleased ask Celia and Roger if they'd like to come to the meal.

Thanks Ed

Saturday 3rd August 2024.
Llantysilio Mountains and More.
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, . 
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!
Advanced Notice 
Ed's Last Wednesday Walk and Meal on18th September 

I am moving to Scotland the week after. 

I have enjoyed my walks with you all and and pleased that I found the group but it's time for me to move on to pastures new to be nearer boardgames friends and a less remote area with hopefully more chances to gain a job.

I propose a 6 mile walk from Chester bus station towards Eccleston via the park and back via the river if not too muddy.

Then lunch in Harkers. Post meal drinks will also be had at Wetherspoons for those who wish. I have booked a hotel for the night.

Please let me know if you can make it so I can organise the meal booking.

Pleased ask Celia and Roger if they'd like to come to the meal.

Thanks Ed
Wednesday 7th August2024.
Lady Bagot's Drive and More.
Distance: 8 -10 miles. Climb: 600'.
Start: Ruthin Craft Centre Car park (free) on Lon Parcwr (4th turning off the roundabout if approaching from Mold/Chester. It is opposite Tesco). Grid ref: SJ125586
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn,  .
Those not walking: Sue and Michel   .
This walk is adapted from two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd".  We have completed this walk many times before in all sorts of weather conditions. Conditions underfoot have been particularly challenging after lots of rain and the Afon Clwyd is in spate.  In the past we have seen Kingfishers and Salmon jumping the weir, seeing either again would be nice.
The length of the walk depends on which way we decide to return to Rhuthin from Rhewl.
Saturday 10th August 2024.
Exploring the Environs of Moel-y-Parc.
Distance: 9 -10 miles. Climb: 1500'.
Start: Aberwheeler.  Layby opposite Bro Lleweni (or in road round the corner to the left). Grid ref: SJ096694.
Leave Chester at 09-00.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Ed.
Those not walking: Sue and Michel  .
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 complete one walk before embarking on the next one.
Wednesday 14th August 2024.
Moel Famau , Around Ffrith Mountain and Clwyd Forest.
Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 1500'.
Start: Bwich Penbarra Car park ( £1-50 last time we used this car park. Cash is better than a credit card), south west of the PC block. This is the top car park that overlooks the Vale of Clwyd.
Grid ref: SJ161605
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
Those not walking:  Sue and Michel 
This walk combines to routes from Dave Berry's Books, one from "Walks in the Clwydian Hills" and one from "Walks in the Clwydian Hills - New Edition." This is a walk that we first did in 2015, and every one said that they enjoyed it.  Hence its inclusion again this year. Perhaps at this time of the year we will reach the Jubilee Tower on a warm wind free day with superb views in all directions!
Saturday 17th August 2024.
Llyn Geirionydd and Llanrhychwyn Church from Trefriw.
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: Sue and Michel . 
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Betws-y-coed and the Conwy Valley.
The route passes the Fairy Falls and ten climbs steadily to cross the part wooded slopes above Cwm Crafnant and then follows an old tramline 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.
The B5106 Conwy to Betws-y-Coed Road should be open after being closed between Dolgarrog and Trefriw for flood mitigation works from 22nd July to 5th August.
Wednesday 21st August 2024.
St Dyfnog's Well,Llwyn Wood, Coed Mawr and More.
Postponed. 
See below for the new walk.
Distance: 7.4 miles. Climb: 400'
Start: Roadside parking by the weir, West of Brookhouse Mill and Pottery. Take the A525 from Denbigh. Just before the Brookhouse Mill Tavern on the A525, at a signpost for "Pottery", turn right (West), go past the marked parking bays for the pottery  and park on the left side of the road by the weir. Grid ref: SJ069656.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk:. Martyn, 
(Those not walking: Sue and Michel)
These walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd". One walk explores the attractive and varied countryside between Llanrhaeadr and Brookhouse and gives us the opportunity to see again the famous Tree of Jesse medieval stained glass window (1533) and Ann Parry's gravestone with its inscription"God kept His word".  The walk also includes two miles of riverside  alongside the Afon Ystrad and Afon Clwyd
There is a possible extension that is described as interesting and takes a "green"approach to a little known castle (Denbigh) in Wales.
However on the last two occasions we have decided not to do the extension, and had to be satisfied with good views of the castle from the south west.
Moel-y-Parc and Penycloddiau.
Postponed.
A replacement walk is being considered.
Distance: 9 -10 miles. Climb: 2200'.
Start: Aberwheeler.  Layby opposite Bro Lleweni (or in road round the corner to the left). Grid ref: SJ096694.
Leave Chester at 09-00.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike Ed.
Those not walking: Sue and Michel, Nigel, Mike .
This walk explores the paths on the western slopes of Moel y Parc before following the Offa's Dyke path over Penycloddiau, The return route follows the bridle path around the west side of Penycloddiau .  The final section follws the Offa's Dyke Path back to Aberwheeler.
Saturday 24th August 2024.
Mynydd Marian.
Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Start: Llandulas Beach Car Park. Grid ref: SH907786.
Leave Chester at 09-00.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, Fran, Ed. 
Those not walking:   Sue and Michel
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book, "Walks on the North Wales Coast". It combines an interesting section of the coast line with the attractive limestone countryside between, Old Colwyn, Llysfaen and Llandulas. This is one of my favourite walks, but the walk today will allow us to see what work is being done on the sea defences from Old Colwyn to Colwyn Bay.
I think it should be completed by now. High tide at about 14-45. It's quite a big tide at 9.2 m / 30.1'.
Wednesday 28th August 2024.
An Alternative Ysceifiog, Lixwm and Nannerch Round.
Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 950'.
Start: Roadside parking next to the Play Area in Ysceifiog. Grid ref: SJ15217152.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, Ed, Fran?.
Those not walking: Sue and Michel 
This is another opportunity to use to use Ysceifiog Footpath 188, and support the  locals that have campaigned for years to get it recognised as a Right of Way.
This is another opportunity to use this recently reopened right of way.
Much of the walk is one we have done several times in the past, and starts by heading northward via Ysceifiog Lake towards Babell as far as Waen Isaf. after taking a path eastward  we will pick up a minor road southward towards Lixwm. Ysceifiog Footpath 188 is just West of Lixwm and goes past Tan-yr-onen and Llwyn-drain to Pen-ffynnon-ycyff.   Nannerch is our next objective where we pick up a track leading to Bryn Rug and a minor road past Ysceifiog Fisheries.
After carefully crossing the A541 we will return to Ysceifiog via Coed y Llan and Ysceifiog Church.
Saturday 31st August 2024.
Conwy Mountain and Around Maen Esgob and Craigfedwen
Distance: 8 miles. Climb:1447'.
Start: Long stay car park on the B5106 at Conwy. Pay and Display. Grid ref:SH781773. Post code: LL32 8LS
Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 
Those not walking: .
The walk starts by heading through the castle walls and on the North Wales Coastal Path along the harbour as far as the secondary school. The North Wales Path is the followed over Conwy Mountain through Castell Caer Seion and onto the Sychnant Pass.
 The views from the Conwy Mountain Ridge can be superb, with the Great Orme in one direction and Tal y fan in the other, as well as good views towards Conwy castle and the Conwy Valley.
 After crossing the Sychnant Pass Road, the North Wales Path is once more folowed. At the point where there is a definite fork, it is possible to make a short there and back extension to visit the site of a monument. Returning to the North Wales Path, it is then followed along the East side of Maen Esgob as far as the head of the Fairy Glen. A path heading eastward then takes us past Llyn y wrach.
 Once the West side of Maen Esgob is reached, the main track is followed parallel to the stone wall towards Craigfedwen, where the footpath goes South of Waeny-fedwen and onto the minor road near Llechwedd. The route goes Northward on the road ad then takes the first path on the right which leads around Bryn-mawr to a minor access road. It is along this road that several large and/or interesting properties can be seen. at the T-junction, the route goes right and in a very short distance a broken kissing gate leads the way to a field path leading  to the Sychnant Pass Road at Mount Pleasant on the outskirts of Conwy. The Sychnant Pass Road  is then followed back to Conwy.