H T Fell Walking Club: June 2011

Monday, 20 June 2011

321 July Walks from Llangollen

The Walks this month are a week later as the second Saturday would have clashed with the Eistedfford. We will be travelling to North Wales and the well known town of

Llangollen

Saturday 16th July 2011

0800hrs prompt from the Short Stay Car Park

Dehydration can be a serious problem in warmer months leading to loss of energy, loss of alertness, aching joints and being a liability to your fellow walkers. Please ensure that you have a plentiful supply of drinking water [cordial]. 2 litres is recommended.

Llangollen is a truly amazing town, encapsulating the best North Wales has to offer in a small area. With more sun than Cornwall and less rain than the Lake District it is no wonder that this gateway to North Wales should be so popular with sightseers and walkers of all ages.

Llangollen has many natural wonders. There are mountains, white water rivers including the spectacular River Dee canals with horse-drawn boats, The Llangollen Steam Railway with steam trains that chug along the Dee Valley, the Horseshoe Pass, the Horseshoe Falls and all in easy reach of Chester and Wrexham. Famous structures, gardens and historic buildings abound, Plas Newydd, home to The Ladies of Llangollen, numerous National Trust properties surround the town and we have the highest and longest aqueduct on the canal system. The Pontcysyllte aqueduct was built by Thomas Telford 200 years ago, over a 1000 feet long and standing 126 feet above the river Dee which is now a world Heritage Site . You can cross it by narrow boats which depart from The Wharf in Llangollen for a 3-hour return trip and marvel at the engineering which took the canal beginning at the Horseshoe Falls close to The Chainbridge Hotel all the way to join the national canal system. You can also take a horse-drawn boat from The Wharf up to near its source. Both trips are a cheap and very enjoyable way of seeing the spectacular countryside.

Llangollen is where Wales welcomes the world and is also the festival capital with the Royal Pavilion and its spacious grounds playing host to year-round events. As well as the famous International Music Eisteddfod where singers and dancers congregate from every corner of the earth, it also hosts The Gardening Show, The Motorcycle Show, The Food Festival, and a monthly antiques and collectables fair. More....

There will be three walks as normal;

A Walk led by:- Les Gibson
B Walk led by:- Gwyn Jones
C Walk led by: -Terry Simmons

Details of the walks will be added as soon as they become available, but by Saturday 9th July

Weather forecast for Llangollen

Click here for forecast

A Walk at Llangollen

Walk Leader:Les Gibson

Distance: 9 miles

Total ascent/descent:2000ft, max height 1,425ft

A Walk Route. Click on picture to enlarge

We start this 9 mile walk from the car park, passing through the town of Llangollen and over the ancient bridge which crosses the very scenic river Dee. Our first short climb takes us past the canal and it's pleasure trip narrow boats, our climb continues up to the castle ruin of Dina's Bran where we will experience spectacular views and many photo opportunities. Down from the ruins we walk along Offa's Dyke eventually turning right for a climb up a short but steepish gully taking us to Eglwyseg Plantation. After walking along the top we then descend down a rock strewn gully back to Off's Dyke, where we will take a well earned lunch break. Our return trip takes us through woodland and open fields before, then stopping to look at the ruins of the impressive Valle Crusis Abbey, and along the famous Llangollen canal, returning to the delights of the lovely town of Llangollen.

B Walk at Llangollen

Walk Leader: Gwyn Jones

Distance: 8 Miles

Total ascent/descent: 1,550 ft

B Route Click on map to enlarge.

This walk has 2 ascents – both done before our lunch stop. The first is short and on a well-used footpath and takes us to the foot of Dinas Bran which we circumvent. A short while later we tackle the second which is a bit steeper and more rugged - but we will have plenty of time for a breather. From here we work our way down the Panorama Walk – through Trevor woods - to a level walk alongside the canal back to Llangollen

C Walk at Llangollen

Walk Leader: Terry Simmons

Distance: approx 6.5 miles

Ascent: approx 300ft


Approx route

Overlooking the town from the first part of the walk.

We start at 11.00am from the Cottage Tea Rooms in Castle Street.

From the bridge, through the park and across the A5, a steady climb relieved by views over the town and across to Castell Mas Bran where the “B” walkers will be initially heading. We head up to Berwyn Bank, then down through the forest to the Chain Bridge Hotel, across the river and up to Meter House and the Horseshoe Falls where we can have our Picnic Lunch. Then on to Llansilio Churc and passing Bryntsilio Hall to arrive at Valle Crucis Abbey for a short break.

Across the footbridge and down the fields to return to Llangollen along the Canal Tow Path.