Walks and Dates April 2026

 

Suggestions for ALL Wednesday walks welcome, especially for the short walks.

The Funeral of Sylvia Jenkins will be held at Blacon Cemetery at 14-40 on Wednesday 15th April 2026

Wednesday 1st April 2026.

The Clywedog between Bersham and The Nant.

Distance: 4.1 miles Climb: 142 m / 462’.

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.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: Mike, Sue and Michel (still recovering from their holiday journey home).

Leave Chester at 10-00 a.m. and meet at the start.

The walk starts by following a minor road fo about a mile, and then takes a path through woodland and fields to Plas Power Wood and onto Nant Mill. There are picnic benches to use, if we decide to stop for refreshments. Probably better to stop on the way back from The Nant where there is a ford to cross the Afon Clywedog. We will probably use the nearby footbridge. We will then follow the Clywedog Trail back to the start. The section Nant Mill takes us through the delightful ancient woodland called Big Wood. This was the walk that we did last year, so we may go round in the opposite direction just for a change.

Saturday 4th April 2026.

Walk arranged on request.

Wednesday 8th February 2026.

Above Helsby and Frodsham.

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

Start: Helsby Quarry Woodland Car Park. Grid ref: SJ490750 Post code: WA6 9PT

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

This walk is taken from the book "Pathfinder Guide to Cheshire". Much of it we have done before when following walks on the Sandstone Trail. However part of the walk around Helsby Hill is new to me and it is the first time that we have started from this car park. On a clear day, the views across the estuary is superb. The walk is described as being energetic. As the walk is a little shorter than usual, we may wish to explore the Woodhouse Hill fort a little more.

Saturday 11th April 2026.

Walk arranged on request.

Wednesday 15th April 2026.

Walk Cancelled so that we can attend Sylvia's Funeral.

Funeral of Sylvia Jenkins

Sylvia's Funeral will take place at Blacon Cemetery at 14-40 (2-40 pm).

Saturday 18th April 2026

Walk arranged on request.

Wednesday 22nd April 2026.

Thurstaston Common, Stapledon Wood, Caldy and More.

Distance:8-10 miles. Climb:750.

Start: Thurstaston Visitor Centre Car Park. Grid ref:SJ239835. This is a Pay and Display Car Park about £5-00 if my memory is correct.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: Mike, .

This is a repeat of the walk that we did on 1st January 2012 and combines two walks from Raymond Roberts' booklet "Wirral Walks - the West Wirral Six".  However, e have one this walk many times, often returning from Caldy along the beach. This is a relatively easy walk with good views along the way, especially from Thurstaston Hill. We hope to walk back from Caldy to Thurstaston along the beach, so bring binoculars with you.

Saturday 28th March 2026.

Walk arranged on request.

Wednesday 29th April 2026.

Moel Fferna and Nant-y-Pandy.

Distance: Including Moel Fferna. 9 miles. Climb: 2000’.

Distance: Without Moel Fferna 6.5 -7.5 miles depending on return route taken.

Climb: 1375' - 1600'. depending on return route taken.

Start: Lay-by adjacent to the former Butterfly Man Craft Centre on the A5 Llangollen to Corwen road

near Glyndyfrdwy. Grid ref:SJ1586942449.Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

The described part of the walk is taken from Dave Berry’s book “Walks Around Llangollen and

the Dee Valley”. He describes it as a fascinating walk through the wooded.

Nant-y-Pandy with its old slate works. The extension takes us to the summit of Moel Fferna,

in the past most of the group have left out the visit to the summit of Moel Fferna, but the option

is still there for those that do.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

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 Praise Meeting at Church on the first Wednesday of each month, so I will be looking for walks not too far away.

Walks and Dates May 2026

Suggestions for ALL Wednesday walks welcome, especially for the short walks.

Saturday 2nd May 2026.

Walk arranged on request.

 Wednesday 6th May 2026.

Rivacre Valley Country Park.

Distance: 3-4 miles.
Climb: 200’.
Start: Rivacre Country Valley Country Park,
The car park for the Reserve is located on Rivacre Road (B5132), just off junction 7 of the M53.

Leave Chester at 10-00 am.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
Those not walking:  
This walk was suggested by Fran, a walk that should be done when the Bluebells are in flower.
May is usually the month for Bluebells, hence the reason for suggesting this for the May Short Walk. I know this is a little shorter than our usual walk, but if the group wanted to extend it, we could drive to the nearby Eastham Country park (only 3.3 miles away) and explore there as well.

It could be just a morning walk, stopping for lunch at the end after completing the circuit.  We could then decide if we wanted to call it a day or go to Eastham Country Park for an afternoon stroll.
Spring is a special time at Rivacre Valley Local Nature Reserve, when the woodlands are truly stunning. Carpets of bright yellow celandines and delicate white wood anemones are soon followed by bluebells, filling the air with their heady scent. Look out for the electric blue flash of the kingfisher hunting for eels along Rivacre Brook.
Anthony Annakin-Smith describes the walk as a lovely walk through several deciduous woodlands, besides streams, and along a meadowy valley.

Saturday 9th May 2026.

Walk arranged on request.

Wednesday 13th May 2026.

Gronant, Big Pool N.R., Around Talacre Abbey 

and Coed Bell.

Distance: 7-8 miles.
Climb: 1250’
Start: Gronant Dunes Car Park on Shore Road, Lower Gronant. This is off the Coast Road (A548), signposted Presthaven Sand and Gronant Sand Dunes. Grid ref: SJ090837.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
Those not walking: .  
When we visited Coed Bell at the end of April 2021 and we were impressed by the display of Bluebells, so naturally it had to be included in our annual Bluebell Wood Walks.
The walk explores the low hills at the northern end of the Clwydian Hills, but starts along the coast before heading past Abbey View Caravan Park. We will probably make a short detour to visit Big Pool Nature reserve, before climbing  above the site of Talacre Abbey and onto to the track past Home Farm. We usually have lunch opposite Home Farm, where we can take advantage of the stone wall as perching spots. 

After lunch we will visit Coed Bell, hopefully with lots of Bluebells, before descending through Gronant and back to the start.

Saturday 16th May 2026.

Walk arranged on request.

Wednesday 20th May 2026.

Coed Allt-y-Tywod, Coed y Garreg, Coed Pen-y-gelli and more

Distance: 7 -10 miles. Climb: 700’.

Start: Roadside parking at Lloc. If approaching from Holywell on the A5026, turn left by the public house (now a private house) into St Asaph Road. Park on left. If approaching on the A5026 from its nearest junction with the A55 (Prestatyn junction), Turn right in front of the public house (now a private house) into St Asaph Road. This is just after the Pant Y Wacco sign and the road starts to bear left. St Asaph Road is one way and can only be approached from then A5026.

Grid ref: SJ145765.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

This is one of our annual Bluebell Wood walks. It is a figure of eight walk based on Lloc. The walk includes parts of two walks taken from Dave Berry's booklet “Walks around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain."

As this is a figure of eight walk, there are plenty of opportunities to shorten the walk if desired.

Saturday 23rd May 2026.

Walk arranged on request.

Wednesday 27th May 2026.

Eglwyseg Escarpment and Trevor Rocks.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1200’. Can be made shorter if need be.
Start: Off road parking on the Panorama road just east of the monument. Grid ref: SJ247426.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 
Those not walking: .
This must be one of the best walks in the Llangollen area, especially on a sunny day. This is a walk that makes you feel like you’re on top of the world with superb views in all directions, including the Dee Valley, Dinas Bran, the Llantysilio Mountains and the Berwyns. This is one of my favourite walks and is always on the list at least once every year.
We usually do this walk in mid-week, so it will be a change to do it on a Saturday but hopefully everyone else will be staying at home to watch the coronation!
At this time of the year, we could still hear and see Cuckoos. 

Saturday 30th May 2026.

Walk arranged on request.

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 Praise Meeting at Church on the first Wednesday of each month, so I will be looking for walks not too far away.

Bersham and The Nant 1st April 2026

St. Mary's Church, Bersham.

Wood anemone, Bersham On the roadside at Bersham.

The woodland path  on the way to Plas Power Wood.

Wood anemone everywhere!

Wood anemone.

Wood anemone  close up.

Fran's fine clump of Wood anemone in Plas Power Wood.

Waking in the woods.

Pont Nant ahead.

The Afon Clywedog from Pont Nant looking towards The Nant.

Spring flowers - Comfrey.

Spring flowers - Green alkanet.

Spring flowers - a domestic. cultivated heather, but still good to see.

Spring flowers - Dog violets.

The first Bluebell of the year.

On the way to The Nant.

(Photo taken by Fran)

On the way to our lunch spot at The Nant picnic pot.

Now, who isn't standing to attention?

Not quite a waterfall, but it's pretty good fall for a weir.

"It's in Welsh, can anyone translate?"

St. Mary's Church, Bersham, walk completed.

Distance: .2 miles.
Climb: 453’.
Time: 2 hour 54 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.4 m.p.h.
Temperature: 16.0 Celsius at lunch time The Nant.
Beaufort Wind Force: Just Light air.
Group: Martyn, Nigel and Elaine, Fran.
A small selective group enjoyed this very varied walk along both sides of the Afon Clywedog from Bersham.
Spring flowers were the bonus today, including: Wood anemone, Common dandelion. Green alkanet, Forget-me-not, Lesser celandine and even a few Bluebells. Ramsons were not in flower yet, but their presence was noted, including their occasional odour!
Birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Common blackbird, Wood nuthatch, Song thrush, Chiffchaff, Great tit, Common chaffinch, Grey wagtail, Common pheasant, Coal tit, Blue tit, Winter wren and Great tit.
Good conditions underfoot, but my boots still needed cleaning!
Too early a finish to visit call in for refreshments a local hostelry, so I had to wait for a refreshing glass of Gwynt y Draig Black Dagon cider after cleaning my boots!