Eglwyseg Escarpments and More 2nd July 2015

The first viewpoint on top of Trevor Rocks.

The only cairn visited, ab ove Trevoe Rocks.

A large catterpillar, but what am I when I can fly?

A Common toad on Eglwyseg Mountain.

"Nearly there, but I could do with a leg up!"

"Made it! Now I can get away from the "Red blob!""

View from our lunch spot.

Lunch over, time too move before it rains!

Looking back towards Dinas Bran from the mid-level path chosen by Sue.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.3 miles. Climb: 1200'.

Time: 5 hours 31 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Sheila, Annie, Wendy and David S.

Thankfully the temperature today had dropped from the high twenties Celsius of yesterday, to a much more bearable mid teens, and with a pleasant cooling wind, it made good conditions for walking. rain was in the forecast and we did get brief showers after lunch, but the downpour came on our way home in the car.

 We set off up hill from our parking area near the monument, and it was pointed out that this group was not quite the same as other days, today the women were in the majority!

 This is always a superb walk, with superb views throughout the walk, whether looking East across Ruabon Mountain, West towards the Dee Valley and beyond, or Northward towards Llandegla Moors and the Llantysilio Mountains.

 David was in the front for most of the walk before lunch and was able to bring to our attention the hairy catterpillar, a Common toad and a Common lizard. 

 We also saw a good number of flowers and a few butterflies along route.

 Lunch was taken just before Craig Arthur. 

      After lunch we headed off along the escarpment around Craig Arthur along the waymarked path that descended into the valley East of Tan-y-graig. Here David S decided to investegate a higher level route and rejoined us East of Bryn Goleu.

 As we approached the Eglwyseg Plantation, Sue decided that she didn't fancy walking along the Panorama Road from just East of Trevor Rocks, so led us up hill again to return along a delightful path that descended to the Panorama Road a little nearer to where we had started.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common whitethroat, Woodpigeon, Wheatear, Eurasian jay, Mistle thrush, Common chaffinch, Stonechat, Carrion crow, Raven, Lesser black-backed gull, Goldfinch, Meadow pipit, Skylark and Peregrine falcon. A Red-legged partridge was also seen from the car as w approache the parking area.

 We arrived back at the car, just as it started to rain, so we were quite pleased to enjoy our after walk drinks at Telfords Inn at Trevor, where Llangollen bitter was enjoyed by some of us.

The Eglwyseg Escarpments and More 19th June 2014

Walking above Trevor Rocks.

A male Stonechat singing as we descended from Trevor Rocks.

Looking towards the quarries and the Llantysilio Mountains.

The Eglwyseg Escarpment.

They took the high road, we took the low road!

Walk stats: Distance: 9.3 miles. Climb: 1197'.

Time: 5 hours 23 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Annie, Sue and Michel, Phil and David S.

This turned out to be a glorious day for walking, lots of sunshine, but times when the clouds took over, making sure we didn't overheat for long! In fact at times we also had a pleasant cooling breeze.

Always a good walk, but on a day like this, this is a walk that would be difficult to beat, with its high vantage point along the higher escarpment giving superb views in to the Dee Valley and the hills beyond, not to mention that the climb is minimal.

 This turned out to be a special day for seeing birds of prey, five in all. Birds seen or heard today included: Sparrowhawk, Common kestrel, Common buzzard, Peregrine falcon, Red kite, Woodpigeon, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Stonechat, Redstart, Winter wren, Willow warbler, Carrion crow, Rook, Wheatear and Barn swallow.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Pant yr Ochain at Gresford, where we were able to sit out enjoying our drinks. The Snowdonia Ale was back on form!

Y Foel, Biddulph Tower and Around Vivod Mountain 17th April 2014

An early view of Dinas Bran from the Allt y Badi track.

A very young lamb, protected by mum!

Mum making sure the youngsters take their turn!

Panorama from Biddulph Tower.

At the Biddulph Tower.

At the trig point on Y Foel.

The Eglwyseg Escarpment from the North Berwyn Way.

Our final view of Dinas Bran as we descended towards Llangollen on the North Berwyn Way.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.0 Miles. Climb: 1521'.

Time: 4 hours 53 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Nigel and Celia.

At breakfast time on Wednesday, I didn't think that I had any takers for today's walk, but thankfully Nigel and Celia came to my rescue!

 Weather wise the forecast wasn't too helpful in terms of what gear we should be wearing, I opted for full Summer gear, and just about got it right, but on the higher ground Celia thought that I bonkers (my words, not her exact words!).

 This was a largely new route for me, and it was the first time that I had ascended via Allt y Badi and returned around Vivod Mountain along the North Berwyn Way.

 The views all day were superb, once we had gained a little height. This is certainly a walk that I will repeat in the future.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Blue tit, Great tit, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Barn swallow, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Common pheasant, Woodpigeon, House sparrow, Black-billed magpie, European robin and grouse seen by Celia.

 Flowers seen today included: Herb robert, Wood sorrel, Wood anemone, Bluebell, Lesser stitchwort and Common violet.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed by some at the Pant-y-ochain at Gresford, unfortunately I chose the wrong option and my favourite, Snowdonia Ale wasn't quite at its best!

A Tale of Two Quarries and More 12th April 2014

There is a train there somewhere!

Looking towards the Eglwyseg escarpments from our lunch spot.

Heading for Berwyn Quarry.

Looking down on the River Dee as we descended fro Berwyn Quarry.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.2 miles. Climb: 2137'.
Time: 5 hours 19 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn and Mike.
Overall this was a god day for walking, despite the fact that we didn't get much Sun and the wind at times was cool to say the least!
 The walk was quite varied and involved a fair bit of climb, but this meant that we did get some good views down the Dee valley.
 Our only problem occurred around finding the path around Rhiw Goch Quarry, where I encountered far too much contact with Gorse (my knees still show the blood marks and it took the whole of the first half of the FA Cup semi-final for me to remove all the Gorse needles from my socks.
 The best bit on the Rhiw Goch Quarry section of the walk was to encounter a group of teenagers on D of E, one of the group noticed that I had blood spattered knees and she asked me if I wanted a plaster, an unexpected and lovely gesture.
 Birds seen and heard today included: Black-billed magpie, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Carrion crow, Raven, Common buzzard, Meadow pipit, Green woodpecker, Common pheasant, Winter wren, Stonechat, Pied wagtail, Willow warbler and Common blackbird.
 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Sun Inn at Rhewl, where Llangollen brews were on offer. This seems to be a punb linked with the Llangollen brewery, normally has at least two brews on offer. The new landlords have only been in for about a year, but their warm welcome can be recommended if every sense of the word!

Eglwyseg and Ruabon Mountain 30th August 2012.

Looking towards the Eglwyseg Escarpments from above World's End.

Heading across the the first section of moorland.

Still crossing the moorland.

The Eglwyseg Escarpments ahead.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.0 miles. Climb: 1792'.(probably a little high).

Time: 5 hours 54 minutes, On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Phil, Sue and Dave P., Paul, Tim and Carol Herbstrick.

It didn't start well, as we arrived to find that the car park was closed, and had been for some years! We managed to squeeze four cars in area off the road opposite the gate to the old car park, but part of this area was very muddy, so much so that at the end of the day we had to give Phil a push to help him get out of the muddy area where his wheels were slipping!

The weather wasn't brilliant either, with very short showers on and off for most of the time before lunch.  The walk along the Eglwyseg Escarpments, we had done before, and is always a good part of any walk with its dramatic views along the valley.

 The walk across Ruabon Mountain towards the Frozen Clock was new to us, and finding the path was our first problem. For some this moorland crossing became a bit of a trudge, especially as they were hankering after a lunch spot.  Some good views towards the Cheshire Plain were had s we descended towards Frozen Clock, our lunch spot for the day.

The final section of moorland from the Mountain Lodge back to the World's End road, was at times a challenge to the waterproofness of our boots. Thankfully no-one complained about wet feet!

Birds seen or heard today included: Stonechat, Winter wren, Meadow pipit, Red grouse, Common pheasant, Barn swallow, Carion crow, Raven and Hen harrier.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Pant-yr-Ochain at Gresford, where Purple Moose, Snowdonia Ale was the refreshing pint that many of us needed.