8:00 start with 17:30 return
12.5-14 miles / 20-22.6 km with 2320 m / 710 m Total Ascent
Leaving the coach at Llanferres, we start off by taking the path behind the Druid Inn, past Fron Hen towards Bwlch Penbarras, From here we take the steep climb up to the top of Foel Fenlli (511 m), the site of one of a number of hill forts in the Clywdian Hills. The remains of ramparts can clearly be seen.
From Foel Fenlli we descend southwards, picking up the Offas Dyke path at Bwlch Crug-glâs, which we follow as far as Garreg Lŵyd, where we take an out and back detour to ascend Moel Gyw (467m). After taking the path round the east side of Moel Llanfair, we rejoin the Offa’s Dyke path which we follow as far as the mast on Moel y Gelli.
There are a number of options for making our way to Rhuthun from here. If there is time we will head west to the village of Graig-fechan via Pant Myharan, then north passing though a former limestone quarry which is now a lovely wooded nature reserve. Then make our way to Rhuthun via Plâs-newydd farm and finish off along the Afon Clywd (14 miles). There are other paths off the hills further north we can take if we are short of time, and we could do the last part into Rhuthun on the road (12.5 miles).
10.5 miles / 17 km with 2140 ft / 650 m Total Ascent
This walk takes in the highest summits in Bryniau Clwyd and a section of the Offa’s Dyke National Trail (Llwybr Clawdd Offa). From Loggerheads, we follow the Afon Alun northward for a short distance before crossing it to contour around the slopes of Ffrith Mountain. The climbing continues across the northern flank of Moel Famau to reach its summit from the north-west along the Offa’s Dyke National Trail. At 555m/1,820ft, Moel Famau is the high point of Bryniau Clwyd, and on a clear day views extend from the mountains of Eryri in the west across to the High Peak in the east.
Now heading south, we descend gradually to Bwlch Penbarra to be faced with what looks like a brutal ascent to the hill fort summit of Foel Fenlli (511m/1,676ft). Fear not – there is a sneaky, well-graded path that we follow around the side. Leaving the Offa’s Dyke National Trail at Bwlch Crug-glâs, we drop into a deep-cut valley above Coed Blaennant, eventually reaching the village of Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd. Our route to Rhuthun (Ruthin) is along paths and tracks via Plas Tower Bridge. Mwynhau!!
miles / km with ft / m Total Ascent
No details available.
7 miles / 11 km with 300 ft / 100 m Total Ascent
Walking is almost flat apart from a moderate climb out of the Clywedog Valley.
Leaving the coach park, we walk along the main road for a short distance before taking a path through fields by the river Clwyd. We leave the path to go by country lanes to Rhewl village. Here we change direction to join the Clywedog Way, a most beautiful wooded valley, again walking by the river. We leave the trail via a footbridge, with a steepish climb to Hengoed. From here it is mostly fairly quiet lanes with a moderate descent before we reach Ruthin.
