Walks and Dates June 2017

Thursday 1st June 2017.

Llanarmon-yn-Ial, Eryrys and Moel y Gyw.

Distance:8-10 miles; Climb:1500'.

Start:Pistyll Gwyn Quarry car park. 1 mile north of Llanarmon-yn-Ial. Grid ref: SJ189574.

Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.

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 to bad underfoot. Last time out we reduced the walk to about 8 miles, so there is a good chance we will do the same today.

Saturday 3rd June 2017.

Tegg's Nose and Macclesfield Forest.


Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 1000'.


Start: Tegg's Nose Country Park Car park. Pay and Display. Grid ref: SJ950732.

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

This walk is taken from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire". It is described as a varied walk with good views from Tegg's Nose. We will visit Tegg's Nose first, rather than at the end of the walk. The walk is also described as an undulating walk exploring the countryside on the edge of the Peak District. This is a walk that we have come to like and regularly appears on the list. Birds are often seen on the reservoirs we walk around, so it is useful to bring binoculars just in case.

Thursday 8th June 2017. 
Postponed - heavy rain forecast for most of the day.

A Ceiriog Trail - Pontricket-Tregeiriog-Pont-y-Melbion

Distance: 8.5 miles. Climb: 1700'.
Start: Pontricket, Layby, Grid ref: SJ186343.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk combines Pontricket Walks A and F.  It starts on a path on one side of the Ceiriog between Pontricket and Treceiriog and returns along the other side of the river. The walk then heads for open moorland and on to a drovers road, Sarn Sws (The Kissing Way).
The descent from the drovers road is on the South side of the River Teirw and eventually joins the riverside path at Pont Meibion. The return section is described as being via two tumbling valleys. This is a walk that Mike and I did in March 2017 and thought that it would be better done in Summer conditions, when open moorland is less hostile!

Saturday 10th June 2017.
Postponed - heavy rain forecast for most of the day.

 Mynydd Garthmyn and the Fairy Glen.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 1600'.

Start: Main car park at Betws-y-coed. Grid ref: SH795565.

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.
This walk was originally planned for February 2017, but had to be postponed due to bad weather. Hopefully this won't happen at this time of the year.

This version is taken from Carl Rogers' book "Walking in the Conwy Valley" and only varies a little from the walk that we usually do. Both walks are described as being varied walks with stunning views, especially to the West.

Thursday 15th June 2017.

Prestatyn, Talacre and The Point of Ayr.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 200'.

Start at Prestatyn Barkby Beach.. I suggest that you park at Beach Hotel car park, (£2-50 less than the pay and display car park!) on the large parking area by the PC,  Grid ref: SJ068839

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m. You will need to go into the hotel to purchase a car park ticket.

This is a walk that is always on the list at this time of the year, as it is always a good time to see Little terns, so bring binoculars with you. Hopefully we will see orchids too.

High tide is at about 15-30, and is about 26', so we go through the Golg Course, Caravan Park and The Warren Nature Reserve on the way to Talacre and the Point of Air.We will take lunch using one of the picnic tables along the path leading to the Point Of Air. We will decide on the day whether to extend the walk as far as the RSPB observation point. Our return route will be along the beach. 

Saturday 17th June 2017.

Marbury Country Park and More.

Start: Marbury Country Park car Park (Pay and Display £2-50 last time). Grid ref: SJ652763.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 500'.

Leave Chester at 09-300 a.m.
This is a later start than usual because we will be calling in at Focal Point Optics at Higher Whitley before we start the walk, and they open at 10-00 a.m. on Saturday mornings.

The walk is taken from an old Country Walking Magazine. It is described as a varied walk with exploring contrasting aspects of Cheshire's varied landscape.  Including the Meres and the Anderton Boat Lift.. The terrain is easy going, along field paths, back lanes and along the towpath, although it can be marshy around Pickmere.  There is a short section along the main road before picking up the towpath at Wincham. Bring binoculars with you if you can.

Thursday 22nd June 2017.

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.

This must be one of the best walks in the Llangollen area, especially on a sunny day. 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 our  favourite walks and is always on the list at least once every year

Saturday 24th June 2017.

Aled Isaf and More.

Distance: 10-11 miles. Climb: 1500'.

Start: Off road parking just before the dam on Llyn Aled. Grid ref: SH916579.

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

This walk was originally planned for the end of last month.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the Denbigh Moors" or his slightly newer book "Hidden Heart of North Wales". The walk explores the expansive  tract of moorland and upland pastures around  Llyn Aled and  Aled Isaf. The route in part follows tracks not easily seen and is for experienced walkers only.  At one point the walk follows a delightful upland path via Llys Dymper, before returning South over the moorland top of Foel Lwyd. The extension allows us to explore moorland paths over Moel Bengam and Cefn Du along paths that I have wanted to explore for some time. Has been known to be boggy, but hopefully not too boggy at this time of the year. As an extra challenge we may complete this walk in an anticlockwise direction, the opposite way to the way we normally complete the walk!

The last time we did this walk in October 2015 we shortened the walk to 9 miles and a climb of just under 800'.

Thursday 29th June 2017.

Moel Arthur and Around Moel Plas-yw.

Distance: 8.0 miles; Climb:1250'.

Start: Car park area West of Cilcain. Grid ref: SJ170652.
To get to the parking area, at the crossroads in Cilcain turn right (Eastward), past the White Horse, Church and Village hall, at the end of a few houses on the right turn, left and the parking area is a few hundred yards further on on the right. 
This walk is one we did last year and includes most of  one of the walks from Dave Berry's book ""More Walks on the Clwydian Hills". The Moel Plas-yw walk impressed us last time with its excellent views and delightful woodland valley paths. I suggest a visit to the summit of Moel Arthur could be an extension at the end of the walk for most of us or maybe not!
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.

Walks and Dates February 2017

Updated 22nd February 2017.

Thursday 2nd February 2017.

Leasowe Lighthouse to New Brighton.


Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 200'.



Start: North Wirral Coastal Park car park. Grid ref: SJ257915.



To get to this car park, instead of turning left towards the lighthouse, as the A551 turns right onto Leasowe Road, go straight on (past PC block on right and cafe/snack hut on left). This car park has a good tarmac surface.



Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.



This is a walk along the beach to Perch Rock Fort, assuming that the water on the incoming tide is low enough. It should be, High tide is at about 14-30, 9.2 m, 30'. This is quite a large tide, so we will need to keep an eye on the incoming tide , and escape from the beach if we have to.  From Perch Fort Rock, we will continue onto Vale Royal Park (where we in the past we have had lunch) and onto Wallasey Gardens. Hopefully the weather will be a little less windy than last year!



Hopefully there will be plenty of birds to see as the tide comes in, so bring binoculars with if you have any.
Saturday 4th February 2017.

The Little Orme and Rhos on Sea.






Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 700'.




Start: Roadside parking next to Paddling Pool and PC on Coast Road at Craig y Don, East side of Llandudno.




Leave Chester at 08-45 a.m.







 Grey seals in Porth  Dyniewaid on 31st January 2017.
This has become a regular walk at any time of the year, but it will be the first time that we have done it February. The views from the top of the Little Orme are always superb, but the main reason for doing the walk so early in the year is to see if there are any Seals around Porth Dyniewaid. As you can see there were plenty of Seals on the beach in the cove in the middle of last month. I counted around fifty, including a good number of pups so good numbers should still be there when we do his walk.




Bring binoculars with you if you have them.

Harris Hiker Annual Meal 2017

Our annual walkers meal together will be on

Thursday 9th February 2017.

At the Glasfryn, Mold.

I have been to the Glasfryn and have booked our annual meal there.

In order to make the bill that we get at the end of the meal simpler to understand please don't put your drinks on the main tab.

At present they haven't requested that we pr-order the meals, but they may get back to me if they do.

Anyone that has been linked with the walking group is welcome to join us for the walk and the meal, or just for the meal.

I have e-mailed everyone that I think may be interested in joining us for the walk and / or the meal, using the e-mails that I currently have. If you didn't get an e-mail, please let me know.

Details of the walk are found below.

Glasfryn and Gwysaney. 
Please arrange your own transport.

Distance: 5.1 miles. Climb: 360'.

Start: Glasfryn, Mold. Grid ref: SJ23986516 (Approximate Post Code CH7 6LR)

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

I envisage completing the walk by about 13-00, ready for starting the meal at about 13-15.

The walk is the one that the Glafryn advertise and complete copies can be obtained on iFootpath,com.

The walk is described as involving challenging terrain, but I think that is a little exaggerating.

We have done most of this walk in the past when we did a few walks published in the 1955 Liverpool Daily Post. If I remember correctly the sections through the woodlands can be boggy, but wouldn't describe it as being challenging.

The walk is decribed as taking you high into the surrounding hills. passing through the beautiful Gwysaney Estate before descending to the village of Soughton. It is a really rewarding walk taking you through classic Welsh hillsides and valleys.

Saturday 11th February 2017.

The Llugwy and Lledre Valley. 

Distance: 8-9 miles; Climb: 1000'.

Start: Railway station car park in the centre of Betws-y Coed. Grid ref: SH795565. 

Leave Chester at 8-00 a.m. (It takes about 1 hour 10 minutes from Saltney)

This is another walk taken from Dave Berry's new book "Walks Around Betws-y-Coed and the Conwy Valley". This walk links the beautiful wooded Llugwy and Lledre Valleys. It takes in Sarn Helen, the former Roman Road, and reaches over 800' before descending in to the Lledre Valley. It involves a steep climb to Llyn Elsi or at least that is what Dave Berry says!

Thursday 16th February 2017.

Wat's Dyke, Brynford, St., Bueno's Well and St., Winifride's Well and More.

Distance: 8-10 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Start: Halkyn Street Car Park, Holywell. Grid ref: SJ18957548.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This is another figure of eight walk made by combining two walks and maybe three walks from Ron Williams and Elfed Jones's booklet "10 walks Around Holywell".
One walk explores the countryside between Holywell and Brynford. The other walks around the Greenfield Valley, will hopefully lead us to find the location of St., Bueno's Well again.

Saturday 18th February 2017.

The Edge to Nether Alderley and the Edge and Hough.

Distance: 9-10 miles; Climb: Not a lot (less than 1000' at a guess).

Start: National Trust car Park close to the Wizard Restaurant, Alderley Edge. This is a Pay and Display car park - Free to National Trust Members. Grid ref: SJ860773.

Leave Chester at 8-30 a.m. and meet at the car park.

This walk combines two walks from Graham Beech's book " East Cheshire Walks". He describes it as being moderate. The walk will again probably give us views of the communications tower on Croker Hill/Sutton Common. We may also get the opportunity to visit Nether Alderley Mill (National Trust- so bring your N.T cards with you if you are members.)

Thursday 23rd February 2017.

Another Pontricket Walk.
Postponed due to the expected arrival of Storm Doris bringing heavy rain and gale force winds.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 1462'.
Start: Pontricket, Layby, Grid ref: SJ186343.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk combines Pontricket Walks A and F.  It starts on a path on one side of the Ceiriog between Pontricket and Treceiriog and returns along the other side of the river. The walk then heads for open moorland and on to a drovers road, Sarn Sws (The Kissing Way).
The descent from the drovers road is on the South side of the River Teirw and eventually joins the riverside path at Pont Meibion. The return section is described as being via two tumbling valleys.

Saturday 25th February 2017.

Mynydd Garthmyn and the Fairy Glen.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 1600'.

Start: Main car park at Betws-y-coed. Grid ref: SH795565.

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

This version is taken from Carl Rogers' book "Walking in the Conwy Valley" and only varies a little from the walk that we usually do. Both walks are described as being varied walks with stunning views, especially to the West.

Walks and Dates January 2017

Wishing Everyone 
a 
Happy New Year 
with 
many memorable walks
Monday 2nd January 2017

A West Kirby Round.

Distance: 5.4 miles. Climb: 250'.
Start. South Parade, West Kirby. Grid ref: SJ214860. Park near the Life Boat Station and old Baths, towards the Southern end of the Marine Lake.
Leave Chester 09-30 a.m.
I know that we usually have a short walk on New Years Day, but this year this is a Sunday and some of the group have more important commitments on that day! After discussion with many of the group it was decided that the better day for the walk would be the Monday.
 High tide at Hilbre is at 13-20, so trip to Hilbre isn't really an option, so I thought walking along the beach to Red Rocks as the tide came in would be the best choice.
 We will start the walk by going around the Marine Lake before heading across the sands to Red Rocks. The route will take us through the Royal Liverpool Golf Course and along the edge of Hoylake Municipal Golf Course before heading uphill to the War Memorial on Grange Hill. The planned route then heads down hill to the main road (A540). After crossing the road we turn right towards West Kirby centre and eventually picking up the Wirral Way through Ashton Park. After going round the lakes in Ashton Park we exit the park on the West side and follow the roads through the houses down to South Parade and back to the car.
 The walk can be shortened by half a mile if we miss out Grange Hill.
 Despite rumours to the contrary, fortified fruit cake will be available, but it hasn't had time to mature as long as usual as it was only baked on the 10th December 2016.

Harris Hikers Annual Walkers Meal together will be on

Thursday 9th February 2017.

At the Glasfryn, Mold.

See February's Walks and Dates Post for further details.

Thursday 5th January 2017.

Rhosesmor, Sychdyn and Northop.

Distance: 9.0 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Start: Parking area next to playground, Rhosesmor. Grid ref: SJ214681.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk includes the "Northop - Sychdyn" walk from the booklet "Rural Walks in Flintshire". The "Northop - Sychdyn" walk starts from Northop and is only five miles. The car park in Northop is very small, and when I went on a reccy it was full. Starting at Rhosesmor overcomes that problem and extends the walk by four miles.
The "Northop - Sychdyn" walk is described as including a traveller's resting place, grand houses, parkland and woodland. It is also described as a moderate walk with many stiles and some boggy places.
The "Northop - Sychdyn" walk is a new walk for us.
 The link-up paths from Rhosesmor include many of the paths that we have used on Gwystaney walks from the same parking area.

Saturday 7th January 2017.

Prestbury, Whitely Green and the Mottram Cross.

Distance: 10.0 miles. Climb: 500'.
Start: Sprigfields Car Park, Prestbury. Grid ref: SJ902773.
Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.
The walk starts by completing the Whitely Green part of the walk that we failed to complete the last time we walked from Prestbury.
This is a varied walk, including gentle hills with good views of real hills to the East.
The second part of the walk will explore part of the Mottram Bridge walk that we did in November 2016. This will include walking through the grounds of Mottram Hall, visiting the Mottram Cross on the way to Legh Hall, but we will avoid the very muddy section South of Woodside farm.

Thursday 12th January 2017.

Wepre Park, Aston Hill and Northop Hall.

Distance: 9.5 miles. Climb: 860'.
Start: Wepre Park, South of Wepre Drive, Connah's Quay. Grid ref: SJ295684.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk includes the four mile "Wepre" walk from the booklet "Rural Walks in Flintshire", but has been extended to explore the area around Northop Hall. The Wepre walk is described as a moderate walk and includes a wooded river valley and a ruined castle.
 The extension heads for Ewloe Green via Aston Hill on the way to Northop Hall. After exploring the countryside North of Northop Hall, it eventually rejoins the dismantled railway track shown on the original route that will leads us back to Wepre.
This is the first time that this walk has appeared on Harris Hikers.

Saturday 14th January 2017.

Clip-y-Orsedd and theThe Druid Circle. 

Distance: 9 miles. Climb:2400'.

Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.

Start: Car park behind the bank in Llanfairfechan. Turn right of Village Road. Grid ref:SH682747.

This walk uses two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the North Wales Coast." These two walks combine to make one of my favourite walks in this area as they explore the hills behind  Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr. We will visit the impressive Druids' Stone Circle, but on this occasion we will miss out Foel Lus.  On a good day we should get good views, especially towards the coast and Tal y Fan. We will only extend the walk as far as the Druids Circle.

Thursday 19th January 2017.

Rhuddlan L.N.R ., the Rhuddlan to Rhyl Riverside Walk with extensions to the Brickworks Pool N.R. and the Forydd.

Distance: 10-11 miles. Climb: 200'.

Start: Park at the Rhuddlan L.N.R. car park. Grid ref: SJ020776. 

The car park is on the Western side of Rhuddlan. To get to the car park, from the A55, turn right on to the A525 (St. Asaph Road towards Rhyl and Rhuddlan), at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit onto Station Road (to Rhuddlan centre / Castle). The car park is on the right, opposite a new hotel. If you get to the bridge over the river you've gone too far!

This walk is an annual favourite, at least for those that like to birdwatch as well. It is a good time of the year as there are lots of Winter visitors that frequent coastal areas and river estuaries. Bring binoculars with you.  Last time we had lunch by the Marine Lake, near the Foryd.  We have also had lunch on the beach at the Foryd. Although we didn't see Snow buntings on the Foryd last year, with a bit of luck we may see them this year. 

High tide at the Foryd is at 15-30, 8.1 m / 26.5'.


Saturday 21st January 2017. 

Postponed - Billy no-mates again


Tegg's Nose and Macclesfield Forest.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 1000'.

Start: Tegg's Nose Country Park Car park. Pay and Display. Grid ref: SJ950732.

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

This walk is taken from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire". It is described as a varied walk with good views from Tegg's Nose. We will visit Tegg's Nose first, rather than at the end of the walk. The walk is also described as an undulating walk exploring the countryside on the edge of the Peak District. This is a walk that we have come to like and regularly appears on the list at this time of the year. Wintering birds sometime visit the many reservoirs we walk around, so it is useful to bring binoculars just in case.


Thursday 26th January 2017. 

Another Ceiriog Trail Walk from Pontricket.
Distance 8.5 miles. Climb: 1700'.

Start Pontricket Lay-by on B4500 through the Ceiriog Valley, about 2 miles South of Glyn Ceiriog.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a,m.

This walk includes much of the walk that we did last time we walked from Ponticket, but this time we will take a route North of Pen y Gwely then follow the Ceiriog Trail around Pen-y-gwely Reservoir.

 We will also follow the Siambre-gerrig valley and in so doing miss out the unpleasant track with its concrete encased drainage pipes that we have used in the past.


Saturday 28th January 2017.

A Coastal walk from Llanfairfechan to Aber Ogwen and the Spinnies L.N.R. 

Postponed - forecast all day!


Distance: 10-11 miles. Climb: 200'.

Start: Llanfairfechan Promenade / Coastal car Park. Grid ref: SH679754.

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

This is essentially a linear there and back walk, but if the tide allows we will walk along the beach on the return route from the Aber Ogwen pic-nic site (lunch spot the last time we did the walk). There should be plenty of birds to see on the coast, and we will probably visit at least one of the four bird hides on the route. Bring binoculars with you if you have them.  High tide at about 11-0 a.m., quite a big one at 30.3 ' / 9.2 m.