Pont Rhyd-yr-hydd From Llandillo 11th May 2024

The lower Berwyns from Ty'n-y-wern, north of Llandrillo.

Hendwr, north of Llandrillo. 

Bluebells next to the track north of Hendwr.

The track from Cwm Uchaf heading northward towards Cynwyd.

Distant views of Arenig Fawr.

Distant views the Afon Llynor valley towards the Arenigs.

Distant views of Moel Famau and the Clwydian Hills.

Mare and foal in a field south of the Afon Llynor.

Heading for our lunch spot in Nant y Cwm.

Our lunch spot in Nant y Cwm.

The view from my lunch spot.

The turning point on our walk today.

The track leading to Pont Rhyd-yr-hydd.

Pont Rhyd-yr-hydd.

Looking south westward towards the Berwyns.

Walk Stats:
Distance: 10.6 miles. Climb: 1558’
Time: 4 hours 56 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Temperature: 17.4 Celsius at the start. 19.7 Celsius at lunch. 27.1 Celsius at the end of the walk.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0-3. Calm, Light air, Light breeze but at its cooling best a 10 m.p.h Gentle breeze.
Group: Martyn, Mike and Ed.
The weather forecast today was pretty good, very little wind, no rain, lots of sunshine, but possibly a little on the warm side, especially if it turned out to be higher that the 20 Celsius predicted.
It did fel a little too warm at times, but at the hottest part of the day we were often blessed by a Gentle cooling breeze. We all remembered to put on Sun screen and Sun hats and with plenty of water we coped well and had a very enjoyable walk in this less frequented part of the Berwyns.
We decided to do the walk in a clockwise direction, hoping it would be easier to find our way through the caravan site – it wasn’t, but it was easy enough to get back in track. Distant views were good, especially towards the Arenigs and the Clwydian Hill.
The highlights today included seeing a Brown hare, hearing a Cuckoo and seeing a Red kite. The latter was probably the bird of the day, but for me was seeing five Common swifts screeching as they flew around the roof tops in Llandrillo.
We saw very few walkers, but a convoy of off-road vehicles and motorbikes did disturb the tranquillity of this valley.
We made a second mistake late in the walk and opted for a good tarmac track bearing slightly right, when we should have taken the very rough track straight ahead. This meant we ended up exploring a new to us path Ty-uchaf, Ty-Nant that brought us back on track and the road back to Llandrillo.
Birds seen or heard today: Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Black billed magpie, European robin, Common blackbird, Blue tit, Common chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Winter wren, Great tit, European robin, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Blackcap, Rook, Skylark, Meadow pipit, Dunnock, Common starling, House sparrow, Barn swallow, Common swift, Red kite and Common cuckoo.
We arrived back at the cars, having had a superb varied walk and looking forward to taking our boots off and exposing our feet to the fresh air!
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Sun at Trevor, where Mike tried a new brew from Purple Moose called May Day IPA. I tried their pot of tea, a little on the strong side for me, but with plenty of milk it went down well.

Cadair Bronwen via the Wayfarer's Memorial 21st September 2019

Passing the sheepfold on he way to open country.

Crossing Pont Rhyd-yr-Bydd.

The final climb to the Wayfarer's Memorial.

At the Wayfarer's Memorial.

The Berwyns on the skyline.

Desceding to our lunch spot on the north side of Cadair Bronwen.

The Clocaenog Wind Farm from Cadair Bronwen.

Distant mountain views from Cadair Bronwen.

The way to Bwlch Maen Gwnedd from Cadair Bronwen.

The start of the path down the Clochnant Valley.

A better section of the the Clochnant Valley.

A final look back to the Clochnant valley.

A delightful shaded section of the path through Cefn Pen-letty wood.

Llandrillo from path on the west side of Cefn Pen-letty wood.

Walk stats: 10.3 miles. Climb: 3434' GPS wind assisted reading, realistically about 2400' according to Memory Map route properties.
Time: 6 hours 32 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Nigel, Mike and Roger.
We arrived at the riverside car park at about 09-30 to find it was already quite full. it obviously now a popular start point for mountain bikers as well as walkers.
it wasn't long before Roger realised that he had brought the wrong pair of boots and decided that the best option was to return home. Thankfully a Wrexham bus was due in about ten minutes and he was able to have a leisurely bus ride, first to Wrexham and then back to Chester.
 The rest of set off from Llandillo, already in warm sunshine and only a gentle breeze, but it wasn't long before a group of mountain bikers caught us up on their way to Pen Bwlch Llandrillo. The more we climbed the better the views became, first over Llandrillo towards the North and later towards  the South east when ridge to Cadair Bronwyn came in to view.
 By now the wind had picked up quite a bit and I found it difficult to keep my sunhat on.
 After a brief pause at the Wayfarer's Memorial to have a photo taken and for Nigel to add a note in the log book, we set off on the steady climb up the often grassy, sometimes peaty and sometimes boggy moorland to the summit of Cadair Bronwen.
 The views in all directions from Cadair Bronwen were superb, despite being somewhat hazy, especially to towards Snowdonia.
 We decided to have lunch on the top of Cadair Bronwen, but dropped down a little way on the north side to shelter a little from the strong wind.
 Thankfully the wind never reached the forecast gusts of 42 m.p.h, and perhaps only reached about half of that.
 The path down the Clochnant valley proved the downfall for each one of us. First I put my foot down a hole and ended up on my back like a tortoise on its back and found it difficult to get up. Mike rushed to my rescue, but he put his foot down a bigger hole and ended up with a wet foot. so far Nigel had escaped, but further down he too succumbed to of putting his foot in a hole.
 The Clochnant valley path, particularly in the upper sections was difficult to find and frequently we had to use the GPS and its map to bring us back on track. throughout the descent the views ahead of us were excellent.
 On this occasion we returned to Llandrillo a path, new to us, that went along the western edge of Cefn Pen-llety wood, a delightful track, much better than the road route that we had used on previous occasions.
Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Meadow pipit, Carrion crow, Raven, Wheatear, Red grouse, Common pheasant, Stonechat and Common pheasant.
 We arrived back at the car, having had a a great walk, but with tired legs and looking forward to refreshments at the Bridge Inn at Pontybodkin. a Weetwood brew and Parkway brew went down well.

Corwen to Llidiart-y-Parc 31st July 2019

The statue of Owain Glyndwr in the centre of Corwen.

The River Dee and Pont Corwen.

Cynwyd Forest from our lunch spot.

The way to Moel Fferna, it is somewhere over there!

The bird of the day - Whinchat, south west of Moel Fferna.

Celebrating arriving at the summit wind shelter on Moel Fferna as at earlier we weren't sure we would see it let alone get there.

The view towards the Dee Valley begins to open up.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.0 miles. Climb: 1340'.

Time: 5 hours 46 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Nigel.

The weather forecast for today wasn't particularly good, especially for the morning when >30% chance of rain was the best on offer.

 It just started to rain as we left Corwen heading for Cynwyd and didn't stop until just after 11-30. Fortunately much of the early part of the climb out of Cynwyd was along a minor road and we were pretty well sheltered. Similarly we were sheltered as we followed the North Berwen Way through Cynwyd Forest. By now we weren't very optimistic about getting any views from the top of Moel Fferna as the higher parts of the forest trees were in mist.

 As we emerged from Cynwyd Forest we decided to stop for lunch before heading into the mist and the summit of Moel Fferna.

 Birds seen or heard were few today, but the open moorland did have several Stonechats, Whinchats and Meadow pipits on both sides of the North Berwen Way as we climbed to Bwlch Cynwyd.

 The final approach to the summit of Moel Fferna crosses a boggy path through a peaty area, but with careful steps we triumphantly arrived at the wind shelter.

  The way ahead was now all down hill, northward to the Carrog Plantation. It wasn't long before the views ahead opened up, and it looked as though we were entering a different world!.

 At the start of the track on the east side of he Carrog Plantation, I decided to shed my waterproofs, and as I did so a young couple breezed past us as if they were on an afternoon stroll. They were the only ones that we had seen as we walked across the Moel Fferna area.

 We arrived back at the car having had an enjoyable walk, that would have been even better had the weather been kinder.

 Birds seen or heard today included; Mute swan, Mallard, Barn swallow, House sparrow, Common blackbird, Winter wren, Black billed magpie, Common buzzard, Red grouse, Common pheasant, Meadow pipit, Stonechat and Whinchat. 

After retrieving the car from Corwen, we headed back to The Grouse at Carrog, where we sat in the window overlooking the river as we enjoyed a pint of Lees bitter.

Pont Rhyd-yr-hydd 12th May 2018

Date should be 12th May 2018.

Looking North from the track leading to Pont Rhyd-yr-hydd.

The track leading to Pont Rhyd-yr-hydd -  new route for us.

New growth.

Pont Rhyd-yr-hydd ahead.

At Pont Rhyd-yr-hydd.

A small waterfall South of Pont Rhyd-yr-hydd.

The Arrenigs from the track South of Cefn y Ffridd.

The view from my lunch spot by Nant Gwyn at Cefn y Ffridd.

Distant views of the Arrenigs.

BluebellsEast of Cwm-isaf.

Very young carves in a field North of Llandrillo.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.5 miles. Climb: 1240'.

Time: 5 hours 47 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Mike.

This turned out to be a glorious day for walking, warm and sunny and occasionally a pleasant breeze to cool us. No rain and the feel like temperatures of 5 Celsius never materialised. In fact for walking the weather conditions were just about perfect.

 Distant views were good, especially after lunch when the Arrenigs came into view.

 We were luck enough to hear a Cuckoo calling, but the most unexpected bird seen today was two Mandarin ducks. Other birds seen or heard today included: Pied wagtail, House martin, Barn swallow, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, Common buzzard, Common pheasant, Common blackbird, Great tit, Blue tit, Goldfinch, Eurasian curlew, Meadow pipit, Winter wren, Carrion crow, Rook, Raven, European robin, Mallard, Collared dove and Woodpigeon.

 Much of the walk today was new to us, so had plenty of added interest. The only down side was the fact that the tracks were used by off road vehicles.

 Lunch was taken by Nant Gwyn where plenty of stones provided good places to sit, enjoying views of the Arrenigs at the same time.

 Spring flowers were plentiful, particularly along the verges as we descended past to the valley past Cwm-uchaf. These included: Bluebells, Primrose, Stitchwort and Common dog violet.

 As expected the only difficulty we had in terms of route finding was going through  the caravan site at Hendwr.

 We had to go through a field that had several cows with quite small calves. It was obvious that they didn't approve of our presence, but stopped coming towards us as we gave them a wide berth.

 Overall a very good walk, capped by hearing the Cuckoo.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Bridge Inn at Pontybodkin where one of Purple Moose's brews went down well.

The Berwyns from Llandrillo 2nd July 2016

Looking towards the Dee Valley from the Tegid Way.

Moel Ty-uchaf Stone Circle.

The Berwyn Skyline from the sopes of Moel Pearce.

Cadair Berwyn and Moel Sych from the cairn on Cadair Bronwen.

At the trig point on Cadair Berwyn.

At the trig point on Cadair Berwyn.

The descent over Foel Fawr.

Bog Asphodel in the Clochnant valley.

Final views of the Berwyns from the Llandrillo entrance to the Berwyn national Nature Reserve.

St., Trillo's Church at Llandrillo at the end of the walk.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.2 miles (12 for Mike), Climb: 2895' (3000' for Mike).

Time: 7 hours 59 minutes. On the move walking average: 1.7 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.3 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Mike.

Optimistically we would get only the odd shower, but the one on the final ascent across Moel Pearce felt a little like hail on our face, but thankfully didn't last long. Once on the ridge the wind was quite strong and we had to shelter behind a small outcrop of rock on the East side of Cadair Bronwen for lunch. Lyiing almost flat at times as I had lunch,  I noticed a sandwich box hidden in a gap below the rock. It contained a Memo book from the Rotherham Ramblers.

 After lunch we set off along the duck boards, down to Bwlch Maen Gwynedd and then the final climb to the top of Cadair Berwyn.

 Surprisingly as we approached the summit of Cadair Berwyn, two Common swifts flew in front of us, heading West.  At the trig point on Cadair Berwyn, I decided to set off the Llndrillo path while Mike stretched his legs on and bag Moel Sych too.

 The long boggy descent over Foel Fawr still gave good views towards Bala and the Arrenigs and I anticipated Mike catching me up near the direction post near the cairns on Pennant. However I had to wait for about twenty minutes at the sheepfold / sheep dip at the ford over Nant Cwm Tywyll.

 As we contoured around the western slopes of Carnedd y Ci that we saw a Red kite above us and surprisingly another Common swift.

  I had forgotten how awkward the fording of  the Clochnant and the climbing up its Northern bank was, but we made it safely. The upper banks here at lots of Bog asphodel, a delightful yellow star-like flower.

 The last hour of the walk seemed like a different day, with blue skies, warm sunshine and hardly any wind, a complete contrast of the weather we had experienced five hours earlier.

 We arrived back at the car having had along nearly eight hour walk to see another Red kite flying above the sports field near the car park.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Barn swallow, Common pheasant, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Goldfinch, Pied wagtail, Carrion crow, Common blackbird, Common swift, House sparrow and Red kite.

 Mike decided that he fancied an ice cream, so we took a stroll into the village, taking a look in the fifteenth century St., Trillo's church at the same time.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Crown Inn, Llandegla, sadly no longer a Lees pub, but it did have one real on and served locally produced Rosie's Dee Cider too.