Male Goldeneye.
Shelduck feeding.
Goosanders.
Common redshank.
Shelduck and Oystercatchers on the mudflats.
Black headed gull.
A Turnstone living up to its name.
Harris Hikers Walking Group
About Me
- Harris Hikers
- When? Started: 1993 Who? Started with staff and friends from U H S, Chester. Organiser: Martyn Harris We walk every Wednesday and Saturdays, New Years day and May Day. How many walk? Walks take place as long as there are at least 2 wanting to walk on that day. More walk on a Wednesday than on a Saturday. Most ever: 29. Current group size walking: 2-7 in mid-week and 2-4 on Saturday. Where do we walk? Saturday: Anywhere in North and Mid-Wales, Peak District, Shropshire and the Long Mynd and as far North as the Trough of Bowland. Thursday: Anywhere within about 40 miles of Chester. Type of walk: Distance: 6 – 14 miles (but usually under 10 miles). Climb: up to 4000’ (but usually very much less!). People involved on walks in 2024:- Martyn Harris, Fran Murphy, Sue and Michel Pelissier, Mike Dodd, David Savage,, Ed Meads, Nigel and Elaine Taylor, Winston Feather.
Tuesday, 30 December 2025
Birdwatching at West Kirby Marine Lake 29th December 2025
Shelduck feeding.
Common redshank.
Shelduck and Oystercatchers on the mudflats.
A Turnstone living up to its name.
Walks and Dates December 2025
However Saturday walks can be arranged on request.
See walk list below for possible walks.
Wednesday 3rd December 2025.
A short walk from Parkgate.
Distance: 4.5 miles. Climb: 127’Start:
The Old Baths Car Park Parkgate.
SJ 2743 7875.
or
Alternative car park would be the Wirral Way Car Park near Neston Cricket Club SJ 2835 7784.
Leave Chester at 10-00.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Nigel, Elaine.
Those not walking: .
The route leaves the car park via the link path to the Wirral Way, which is followed for 2.0 miles as far as Stanney Fields Park, where we will stop for lunch /refreshments. After lunch, we sill retrace our steps along the Wirral Way and leave it on the path signposted to the Old Quay. The Coastal Path (north westward) is then taken back to Parkgate.If necessary, there are several opportunities to shorten the walk.
High tide id at 09-11. It is quite big at 9.0 m (29.5’), so we may be competing for parking spaces with the birdwatchers.
If you have them, you may like to bring binoculars / monoculars with you.
This will is the third of our Harris Hikers short walks suitable for all Harris Hikers past and present.Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.Wednesday 24th December 2025.
This is one of the walks provided by the Stamford Bridge Country Inn.
This a low-level walk involving many field paths and quiet country lanes. Some of the field paths can be quite muddy after heavy rain.
The walk allows us to visit two villages, Great Barrow and Plemstall. At Plemstall we can visit St. Peter’s Church, Plemstall with its nearby St. Plegmund’s Well. At Great Barrow we can visit St. Bartholomew’s church.
Last time I did this walk was with Ed on a very hot day and I managed to lose my Leki! We also made the mistake of trying to complete all three of the Stamford Bridge walks in one go. We won't be doing that today!
This will is the third of our Harris Hikers short walks suitable for all Harris Hikers past and present.
Saturday 6th December 2025
No Planned walk
See walk list below for possible walks.
Wednesday 10th December 2025..
Cwm Conwy, Castle Wood and Moel Y Gaer.
Distance:7 - 10 miles. Climb: 1200'.
Start: Rhosesmor. Parking area next to the children's play area. Grid ref:SJ214684.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
Those not walking: .
This walk is based on a walk from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain". The Cwm Conwy walk is one of my favourite walks in the Halkyn area at any time of the year. The extension continues the walk as far as the old cemetery at Halkyn, but any additional extension would need to include Halkyn Mountain itself - not to everyone taste!
Saturday 13th December 2025.
No Planned walk
Wednesday 17th December 2025.
No walk.
Fortifying cakes!
Saturday 13th December 2025.
No Planned walk
No Planned walk
Saturday 27th December 2025.
No planned walk.
Wednesday 31st December 2025.
A Clwydian Trio - or part of it.
Distance: 9 -10 miles. Climb;1900' .
In the past, we shortened it to about 8 miles and 1300', so we may do the same today. Start: Pentre-celyn car park .. Grid ref: SJ150534. Post Code: LL15 2HE
The car parking area is on the left adjacent to the sign for Pentre-celyn, just off the B5429.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Phil Marsland.
Those not walking: Mike, Nigel, Fran.
This is another walk by Debbie Hamilton and is taken from the "Walking" magazine. This walk includes the section of Offa's Dyke Path goes near Moel y Plas, Moel Gyw, Moel Llanfair and Boncyn y Waen-grogen. Her walk starts from Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd, but we will start at Pentre Celyn about half a mile beyond Graigfechan.
Possible Walks
List of Possible Saturday Walks.
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.
Those planning to walk: .
Those not walking: .
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.
Those planning to walk: .
Those not walking: .
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).
Town Brook Hollow and Ragleth Hill.
Distance: 9 -10 miles; Climb:2400'.
Start: Church Stretton centre car park (Pay and display). Grid ref:SO454941.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: .
Those not walking: .
This walk combines two short walks taken from Ian R. Jones's booklet "20 Church Stretton Walks". Town Brook Hollow (Ashlet Hill) to the North of Church Stretton and Ragleth Hill is to the South. The two walks effectively create a figure of eight walk around Church Stretton, making Church Stretton a good place to look for a lunch spot.
It isn't easy to translate the Town Brook Hollow R. Jones 's map to the OS map, so we a more recent booklet "Walks in the Shropshire Hills" by Steve Goodier, so we might use his description for the Town Brook Hollow walk.
The Ragleth Hill walk includes quite steep climbs and descents, so we will probably do that walk first.
The Ragleth ill walk is 5.4 miles with a 1137' of climb and the Town Brook Hollow walk is 3.8 miles with 1244' of climb.
I am happy to change the designated walks as long it is requested by the Monday and a suitable alternative walk suggested.
Please feel free to make suggests of walks that you would like to be included.
Please remember, I have a Prayer and Praise Meeting at Church on the first Wednesday of each month, so I will be looking for walks not too far away.
List of Possible Short Walks
Great Barrow and Plemstall
Distance: 5-6 miles. Climb: 280’.Start: Layby on Barrow Lane, Great Barrow. Grid ref: SJ46916846.
Leave Chester at 09-00.
Those planning to walk: .
This a low-level walk involving many field paths and quiet country lanes. Some of the field paths can be quite muddy after heavy rain.
The walk allows us to visit two villages, Great Barrow and Plemstall. At Plemstall we can visit St. Peter’s Church, Plemstall with its nearby St. Plegmund’s Well. At Great Barrow we can visit St. Bartholomew’s church.
Last time I did this walk was with Ed on a very hot day and I managed to lose my Leki! We also made the mistake of trying to complete all three of the Stamford Bridge walks in one go. We won't be doing that today!
The walk can easily be extended by an extra 2 miles and 50’ of climb.
A walk from Norton Priory.
I want to explore the area before suggesting this as a short Wednesday walk.
Distance: 3.1 miles. Climb: 200'.
Start: Norton Priory Grid ref: SJ 5484 8311. Sat Nav: Tudor Road, WA7 1SX.
This is a walk that Mike suggested, and is based on one he found in a Woodlands Trust Leaflet.
Thursday, 25 December 2025
Wednesday, 24 December 2025
An Afternoon Stroll Along New Brighton Promenade 24th December 2025
Heading for Liverpool Docks on the rising tide.
Heading for Liverpool Docks on the rising tide.
Fort Perch Lighthouse.
Fort Perch.
The entrance to Fort Perch.
The new home for Everton FC.
Anfield, home of Liverpool FC.
The Floral Pavilion at New Brighton
The entrance to Vale Park.
Oystercatchers and Ringed plover.
View across New Brighton Marine Lake.
Mural on the wall of New Brighton Marine Lake.
New Brighton Marine Lake.
Turnstones and Common redshank on the pontoon in New Brighton Marine Lake.
Little egret.
Leasowe Lighthouse from the Coast Guard Lookout.
Not Moel Famau, but at least it is the hills in North Wales.
View across West Kirby Marine Lake.
View across West Kirby Marine Lake.
Hilbre from West Kirby Marine Lake Promenade.
Distance: 4.8 miles. Climb: 100'.
Temperature: Around 5 Celsius. Beaufort Wind Force: 3, just a Gentle but cool breeze.
Birds seen or heard included: Feral pigeon, Black headed gull, Herring gull, Little egret, Oystercatcher, Ringed plover, Common redshank, Turnstone, Common starling, Pied wagtail and Carrion crow.
This was a good day for walking, cool but bright and sunny. Lots of others thought so as well, I've never seen so many people walking along the promenade at New Brighton.
Later on West Kirby Marine Lake was equally popular, with parking spaces next to the lake being hard to find.
Thursday, 11 December 2025
Cwm Conwy, Castle Wood and Moel y Gaer 10th December 2025.
On the way to Cwm Conwy.
Crossing the Afon Conwy.
The Afon Conwy in Cwm Conwy.
Descending the bridleway to Wat's Dyke Way.
Getting past on a fallen tree on Wat's Dyke Way.
Climb: 1010’.
Time: 4 hours 32 minutes.
On the moves walking average: 2.2 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.
Temperature: 9.7 – 11.2 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: 3 - 4 Gentle to Moderate breeze. Max 15.7 m.p.h. Moderate breeze on the top of Moel y Gaer.
Birds seen or heard included: Common blackbird, Winter wren, European robin, Jackdaw, Herring gull, Common pheasant, Carrion crow, Woodpigeon, Black billed magpie and Fieldfare
The forecast for today, was with rain unlikely but quite windy with possible gust up to 47 m.p.h. Temperatures were forecast to be around 10 Celsius, but feeling around 6 Celsius.
In fact, it was much better than the forecast, with lots of warm sunny spells. It did feel cool towards the end of our lunch time, but we soon warmed up once we started to walk again.
Distant views were generally pretty good, once we had any height, near the start as we descended towards Cwm Conwy from Rhosesmor and later on when we were on the top of Moel y Gaer.
After all the rain, I was expecting it to be muddy and boggy in places with some paths being flooded. In fact, underfoot was much better than expected. The only challenge came in the form of “wonky” stiles near Rhosesmor and fallen trees in Cwm Conwy and along Wat’s Dyke Way Path.
Using a hand saw and some brute force enabled Nigel and Mike to clear the worse obstacle in Cwm Conwy.
Lunch was taken on the common land near the Blue Bell, where a bench and stone commemorating King Charles III visit in 1972, provided somewhere for us to sit.
The best views of the day came when we were at the top of Moel y Gaer, where you get good 360-degree views, including the Clwydian Hill, the Cheshire plain and the Dee estuary.
Overall, a very enjoyable walk, celebrated with an excellent pint of Lees bitter at the Blue Bell Inn in Halkyn.
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