Walks and Dates February 2025

Saturday Walks.

I have decided that it has become pointless for me to plan Saturday walks in advance as most weeks I am the only one around.

However Saturday walks can be arranged on request.

One short walk a month could be included on request.

Saturday 1st February 2025.

Big Low, Berristall Vale and the Saddle of Kerridge.

Distance: 8-9 miles; Climb: 2000'
Start: The Adlington Street car park Grid ref: SJ931782 or Pool Bank Car Park on Palmerston Street (oppoosite the Spinners Arms Grid Ref: SJ 93707790).

Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn and Mike. 

Those not walking: , .

This is another walk that combines two walks from Graham Beech's book "East Cheshire Walks". He describes the walks as moderate to strenuous and includes some of the most scenic surroundings around Bollington. We have already strolled along Kerridge Hill and can vouch for that part of the walk.

These walks include some of the most scenic areas around Bollington and at the same time give hints of Bollington's industrial past.

Wednesday 5th February 2025.

Holywell Common, Racecourse, Pantasaph and Pen-y-Ball Top with an extension to explore Plymouth Copse and Coed Moel-dda.

Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb:  1300'.

Start: Holywell Common, opposite the Crooked Horn, Brynford. Grid ref: SJ185740.

This is a variation of the walk that we have done many times, when we cross the common to Brynford on he way to the old racecourse.

Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 

Those not walking: Nigel, .

We may explore Plymouth Copse and Coed Moel-dda, woods, but last time we missed it out In addition we will only follow the Western side of the old racecourse and instead use the road to Pantasaph, before using field paths to get to Pen-y-Ball Top. After visiting Pen-y-Ball Monument take a new path on the west side of the monument to reach the track and the bridge over the A55 to the golf course and our usual route back to the start.

Saturday 8th February 2025.

No planned walk - see below for a list of possible walks.

Wednesday 12th February 2024.

A Walk from Llantysilio Green in Search of Snowdrops.

Distance: 8 miles.Climb: 1400'.
Start: Llantysilio Green National Trust Car Park. Grid ref: SJ197433.
Leave Chester at 09-00.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

The walk starts by taking the path to St. Tysilio's Church, where hopefully the Snowdrops
will be in full bloom.
The route then takes past the Horseshoe Falls and along the Llangollen Canal towpath as
far as Llangollen.
At Llangollen the route climbs steadily northwards past Tirionia to join the Clwydian Way.
The Clwydian Way is the followed past Valley Crucis Abbey as far as Hendre.
Leaving the Cwydian Way the route descends to the main road which is followed South to
the Britannia Inn. At the Britannia Inn the path heading across Pen-y-bryn is taken until it
meets the Dee Valley Way. The Dee Valley Way is then followed South back to the start.

Saturday 15th February 2025.

No planned walk - see below for a list of possible walks.

Wednesday 19th February 2025.

Bersham Iron Works, Nant Mill and Around Minera.

Distance: 8.3 miles Climb: 1316'.

Start: Layby on Plas Buckley Road, Grid ref: SJ308491, near Bersham Bridge, East of Bersham Ironworks. At Junction 4 on the A483, turn left onto the A525 and follow brown signs marked Bersham and Clywedog Trail. Take the first turn on the right, the B5098 (Berse Road). At the T-junction turn right onto the B5099 and take the next right into Plas Buckley Road. The layby is immediately on the left after passing under the Bersham Road Bridge. There is a rubbish bin in the layby.

Leave Chester at 09-00.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

This walk follows much of the Clywedog trail from Bersham Lead Works, including Plas Power Woods and Nant Mill.  The  outward route uses paths on the north side of the Afon Clywedog. The walk continues on the Clywedog Trail as far as Minera. 

The walk returns along the old railway track as far as the Minera Lead Mine Centre and then uses paths on the south side of the Clywedog.

The first time we did this walk, one wood was the home to over 100 gnomes - will they still be tee this time.

Saturday 22nd February 2025.

Jumbles, Wayoh, Turton and Entwistle Reservoirs.

Distance:10 miles. Climb:1100'.

Start:Waterfold Car Park, off Bradshaw Road (A676), Jumbles Country Park. Grid ref: SD736139

Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike.

Those not walking: .

This walk is based on a walk taken from Terry Marsh's book "Fifty Classic Walks in Lancashire". He describes the walk as a pleasant walk on good paths. The extension to Turton and Entwistle Reservoirs includes another section of the Witton Weaver Way and crosses Turton Heights and a hill called Cheetham Cross. A good and varied walk. Has been known to be on the boggy side on the descent from Cheetham Cross! If we miss out Cheetham Cross, it will making the walk just over 9 miles.

Wednesday 26th February 2025.

Redes Mere, Siddington and Capesthorne.

Distance: 7-8 miles.Climb: 400'.
Start: Redesmere Lane /Fanshsawe Lane Car Park next to Redes Mere. 

Redesmere Lane is east of A34 Congleton Road south of Monks Heath crossroads. 

Grid ref: SJ849713
Leave Chester at 09-00.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

The walk is taken from Graham Beech's book "East Cheshire Walks".  The last time we did this walk was in 2008, and we added an extension making the walk over 12 miles.  I don't intend to include the extension this time. The walk is described as an easy walk through some of the finest farmland and farms in Cheshire. Towards te end the walk gives impressive views of Capesthorne Hall. It also passes several stretches of open water, so bring your binoculars or monocular with you if you have them.

On our walk around Marbury Country Park in January, we spoke to a couple "duck men" who extolled Redes Mere  the place to go to see wildfowl, so I though it might be worth seeing if it was true.

Advance Notice.

Wednesday 5th March 2025

List of Possible Saturday Walks.

England.

Bollington to Bowstones.

Distance: 9-10 miles.

Climb:1800' at a guess.

Start: Adlington Road, Car Park. Adlington Road is on the north side of Bollington, a left turn just off the B5090.

Grid ref: SJ93087802

This walk is taken from Graham Beech's book "East Cheshire Walks", and is the second walk from this book that we will undertake. He describes this walk as an exhilarating walk to the Bowstones, and is a popular walk. It includes a fair portion of Lyme Park and sections of the Gritstone Trail. He describes the walk as strenuous, but I think we can still cope, even though it is over fifteen years since we last did it.

Around Bosley Cloud.

Distance: 8- 9 miles. Climb:1200'.

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

Leave Chester at 08-30.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 

Those not walking: .

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.

Long Mynd, Wild Moor and Pole Bank.

Distance:10-11 miles. Climb:2100’.

Start: Centre of Church Stretton car park (Pay and display). Grid ref: SO454930.

Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.

This walk is taken from Ian R. Jones’s booklet “20 Church Stretton Walks”.  All of the walks around Church Stretton are popular, although this walk does include a few sections that are a little less visited by the throngs.  Another possible Dotterel day, but if we do see any, it will be our first on the Long Mynd.  Even without Dotterels this is a superb area of the country to walk in, especially as you explore the moors around Pole Bank.

Wales.

Traeth Lafan and Its Foothills.

Distance:7-8 miles. Climb:1000'.

Start: Abergwyngeryn Free Car Park Grid ref: SH0652728. Post code: LL33 0LF

PC (opens about 09-30) nearby and a cafe at the outdoor centre that allows walkers to use the toilets (opens earlier than PC.)

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

This walk taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks On the North Wales Coast". The Traeth Lafan and it Foothills. This walk is an annual favourite and has in the past given us some wonderful experiences, especially in Winter trampling through soft fluffy knee deep snow, that didn't stick or wet our legs.  You never know we may get some  snow, this time too. It should be worthwhile bringing binoculars with you as we may visit The Spinnies Nature Reserve on the way back to our car.

This walk is described as walk of contrasting coastal and upland scenery with good views from the higher points on the North Wales path.

 This time we will use the road to The Spinnies, and avoid the unpleasant smelly muddy experience of taking the path through the farm yard,

We may see a Kingfisher at The Spinnies, but that often depends on whether the tide is coming.

Rhaeadr Fawr (Aber Falls), Rhaeadr Fach and More.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1400'.

Start: Abergwyngregyn Car Park. Grid ref: SH65657284.

Leave Chester:8-30 a.m.

This walk follows the North Wales Path  up the valley to Aber Falls. The Afon Rhaedr-fawr is then crossed and the North Wales path followed.  The path passes Rhaeadr Fach, before crossing a stream and some rather boggy terrain. It then rises before contouring around the hillside. The path is now part of the North Wales Pilgrim's Way, giving extensive views towards Penrhyn Castle, Puffin Island and Anglesey. Eventually the North Wales Pilgrim's Way descends to the minor road at Bronydd Isaf. The minor road is then followed back to Abergwyngregyn, passing through Crymlyn with its few houses.

Both waterfalls can be impressive, especially after spells of rain in he Carneddau.

Moel y Garneddd.

Distance: 7-8 miles.

Climb: 1200'.

Start: Fronfeuno Snowdonia National Park Lakeside Car park Grid ref: SH917351.

Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn". The walk explores the undulating countryside West of Bala. The route follows a a bridleway up to moorland, eventually crossing Moel y Garneddd at a height of 1170'. We can expect to see superb views as we cross the open moorland. The return route goes through attractive woodland. This is a walk for experienced walkers only and should not be attempted in poor visibility. Careful navigation is required.

Caer, Gai, Cwm Dyfrydwy with an extension over Garth Fawr.

Distance: 9.1 miles. Climb: 1100'.

Start: Roadside parking in Llanuwchllyn on B4403. Park opposite the PC and chapel. Grid ref: SH875302.

Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.

This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn". One walk is described as a fascinating walk featuring a Roman fort and historic houses and the other explores both sides of the Dyfrdwy Valley. The optional extension explores the countryside South of Llanuwchllyn, climbing to open moorland around Garth Fawr at a height of 1079'. It returns along the Western side of the Afon Twrch (Cwm Cynllwyd).