April Walks from Conwy (N Wales)

Conwy on the northern extremities of the Snowdonia National Park has been a popular venue for the club, last being visited in 2006 at the same time of the year, April.There is a variety of walks and 'after walk' interests in the town. for more information about Conwy click here

Conwy Castle dominates the town

 

The harbour in 2003, with sand, boats, shops and views

 

Steve waving to the photographer, while on Conwy Mountain and heading out on the B Walk

There are three walks again this month.

• A Walk led by Steve Edwards
• B Walk led by Gwyn Jones
• C Walk led by Les Gibson

Click on the link to see what they have planed for you.

Weather forecast for the area - click here

A Walk from Conwy

Leader: Steve Edwards

Total Distance:            11.5 Miles

Total Ascent :              2325 ft

Est Time:                      4:30

And where are they? I pray you tell."
She answered, "Seven are we;
And two of us at Conway (Conwy) dwell,
And two are gone to sea."
William Wordsworth, We Are Seven (1798)

Conway is a beautiful area for hill walking. This walk starts in front of Conway Castle. The height of Conway Mountain is 809ft / 247m.The views from this mountain

are magnificent with its panoramic views inland and over the coast and estuary.

The maps required for this walk are: ORDANANCE SURVEY MAPS- Llandranger 115 (Snowdon) or Explorer OL17(Snowdon-Conwy)

Once you climb over the ladder-stile and enter the Conway Mountain Reserve, the beginning of this walk is fairly steep, however it levels out for you to enjoy a pleasant and comfortable walk. There are views West to Anglesey, South down the Conway valley and East to Clwydian Mountains, on a clear day you may see gas rigs and wind turbines far offshore the North-East in Liverpool Bay. The best time to visit Conway Mountain is August-October where you can view the beautiful colours of the heathers on the mountain but April is still good. There is a wide stony path that runs along the ridge top through the remains of the Castell Caer Seion hill fort. The views around the mountain are breathtaking even before you reach the summit. Once we do reach the summit you can enjoy the panoramic views.

From the summit, we follow the path and head SW towards "PENSYCHNANT",Gwarchodfa nature and farm reserve. From the nature reserve we follow the path which takes us down to the Sychanant Pass / Bwlch Sychanant. We then cross the road and through the 5 bar gate heading South towards the ancient Church and Holy Well of Llangelynin.

This magnificent old Church is situated high above the Conwy valley in the shelter of Tal y Fan, it was founded in the 7^th century with the spring of water in the corner of the churchyard once used for baptismal purposes, and its 16^th century porch. There are still occasional services held here.

From the Church we walk around the rear to descend through deciduous woodland with occasional glimpses of the valley below and wind are way back to Conwy and the finish.

Although not a difficult walk, it is long and therefore a reasonable pace will need to be maintained to allow time for a brew at the finish.

B Walk from Conwy

click on map to enlarge

• Leader: Gwyn Jones
  
• Distance: 8.5 Miles app
  
• Total Ascent:

You can’t do a decent walk in Conwy without some climbing but although there are ups and downs on this walk the max.height is 900ft. There will be time to catch your breath and admire the views which are wonderful (weather permitting). Most of the climbing is done in the morning.

We don’t go straight up Conwy mountain but work our way up “round the back” up to Craigfedwen. (Many of you have done it before). From here we head west and eventually join the North Wales Path and turn East towards Conwy mountain and its summit. We then walk downhill back to Conwy.

Some photographs taken on the C walk which overlaps the beginning and end of the walk. - click here

 

C Walk from Conwy

click on map to enlarge

 

• Leader: Les Gibson
• Distance: 6.5miles app
  
• Ascent: gentle climb to a max height of 670ft

This is a lovely varied walk, with lots of very beautiful scenery, great buildings, lots of animals, streams, a lake, seafront views and spectacular mountains all around.

The walk is approx 6 miles with just two stiles, a little muddy at the start.

There are a few short climbs, but with lots of opportunity for rest and photo shoots.

Returning with time to enjoy some of the amenities of Conwy, including the fabulous castle and the smallest house in Great Britain.

Some photographs taken on the walk - click here.

Photographs taken at Hollingworth

We had a nice day for the walk, misty but dry in the morning and brightening up in the afternoon, making for very pleasant walking. The coach journey was short and we arrived and were off by 0920hrs.

Here are some photographs from the 'B' Walk. I will publish the other walks if I receive any!

(all photographs can be enlarged by clicking on them)

 

March Walks from Hollingworth Visitor Centre, nr. Rochdale

Our first walk of 2010 will be from a new venue high up in the pennines, providing wonderful views with the least effort and should be a good warm up for our season of walks. Gwyn is taking bookings now so be sure to get yourself on the coach. Membership fees (£10) are also now due.

Our first walk will be on;

Saturday 13th March 2010

There will be 3 walks;

• A Walk led by Tommy Ryder
• B Walk led by Beverley Kelly
• C Walk led by Norman Jones

Details will be added as they become available but by 6th March

Hollingworth Lake was construsted as a feeder source for the Rochdale Canal and was completed in 1800.

Around about 1850, James Sladen, an engineer at Newall's woollen mill in Littleborough, obtained permission from the then owners, Rochdale Canal Company, to put two small steamboats on it but the venture was unsuccessful. Gradually, the lake became more popular, seven hotels with large ballrooms and pleasure grounds which rivalled Manchester's Belle Vue were built. At the height of its popularity there were three lake steamers. 

Known as the Weighver’s Seaport, it became very popular in the mid-19th century, when connected by railway to Manchester, Leeds and Bradford. Several hotels were built, including, the Beach Hotel, the Lancashire and Yorkshire Hotel and the Lake Hotel on the far side which was accessed by steam launch. Currently there are two public house located next to the lake, the Beach Hotel and the Wine Press.

During the First World War there was a large training camp in Ealees Valley. After that war, the lake became less popular for holidays and the tourist facilities declined.

In 1950 Rochdale Council took over the boating rights from the Water Board which had acquired the lake from the canal company. In 1974 plans were approved to make the area a country park. It is now used for recreation and includes a wildlife sanctuary.

Boats on Hollingworth Lake

Hollingworth Lake and Littleborough from Clegg Moor

A Party Walk from Hollingsworth

Leader: Tommy Ryder

Distance: 8-9 miles

Height Gain: 1430ft

An excellent walk to start the year, The walk along Pennine Bridleway opens up as we head towards the radio mast. We then cross the foot bridge over the M62 and climb up Clegg Moor. The walk over Blackstone edge is then greeted by the fantastic views overlooking Littlebough and surrounding Moors. We then walk down the Roman Road towards Lydgate and over the Golf course taking in some excellent views, then a short walk back to the visitor centre for a cup tea and cake.

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Get your own

B Party Walk from Hollingsworth Lake

Click on any image to enlarge for viewing

Leader: Beverley Kelly
Distance: 8 miles
Height Gain:1400ft

We were blessed with a lovely day for the reccie, with fresh crisp snow on the upper parts and beautiful sunshine in the afternoon. The snow may not be there on the day but the sun may be!

All three parties will be ascending past the Visitor Centre, where I have been assured that the wardens will let us use the toilets, before traversing the pathway through the trees towards Littleborough.

At some steps we ascend through more woods towards the golf course and alongside it, not stopping at the 19th hole! to reach the Rochdale Way.

Near the road we pass alongside some delightful cottages and continue the gentle climb up and as it gets a bit steeper we encounter the Roman road which climbs to the Aiggin Stone (and beyond).

As it was deep snow we could not find the path to the White House, so we ascended back to Broad Head Drain, where we met a lovely couple who walked with us, alongside the drain to the White House.

We now head towards the Chelburn Reservoirs, down a bleak valley, then past a farm looking after rescued animals, with a warning that somebody!!! would be shot if the animals were fed!!!

At Leach Hill we have a lovely view of this high valley before 

descending to Summit and the canal.

It is then a pleasant 1.5 mile stroll along the canal to Littleborough and a return back via a good pathway which you will recognise towards the visitor centre at Hollingworth

C Walk from the Cafe at Hollingworth Lake

 

 

click on map (and pictures) to enlarge.

C Walk

Leader:          Norman Jones

Distance:       6.5 miles

Height Gain:  400ft

 

After refreshments, it's a short lakeside walk to pass by the Visitor Centre, then a path through woods and alongside a stream. The path climbs upwards passing a golf course and joins the Rochdale Way bridle path. We go south for a little over two miles on the lower part of Clegg Moor.   

A footbridge enables us to cross the M62 motorway without everyone holding hands and making a dash for it! The route then winds generally downwards and turns to take us back under a motorway viaduct for our return to the lakeside road and refreshments.

In general the paths are not too bad, but may be muddy and slippery on the gradients. there are extensive views from the moor, weather permitting.