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Flint 16 February 2025
“A” Walk – 12 miles (Moderate) – Leader Phil Mellor
We start by walking out of the town and find our footpath at the cemetery which takes us up with views back over the Dee estuary. After a short walk on lanes we now join the Wat’s Dyke Way which takes us through a wooded valley, then as we leave the wood we again use lanes to take us across the busy A55. Continuing along the Wat’s Dyke Way passing Berth-ddu we reach our highest point at 303 metres. Turning off the Wat’s Dyke Way we now walk across the Halkyn Mountain passing many capped mining shafts and Quarries. Depending on time and weather we can take paths down to the pretty village of Halkyn and retrace our walk back to the Wat’s Dyke Way as we have walked on a previous Holywell walk or we can walk a bit further to Pentre Halkyn to join the Wat’s Dyke Way.
We will turn off the Wat’s Dyke Way where we join it in the morning to retrace our steps back to the town and our coach.
“B” Walk – 8 miles – Leader Mike Layden
This easy 8 mile walk starts close to the 13th century Flint Castle.
After spending a few minutes at these remains, we set off along the coast before turning inland to head out of the town. We pass through a series of housing developments (shown on my map as open fields) before getting into the country side.
There are good views of the Dee Estuary as we climb towards Flint Mountain (something of a misnomer) where we plan to stop for lunch.
After lunch we walk through mainly open country before reaching Flint golf course. This is our route back into town, where there are cafes and pubs.
At the time of the reccy (a month ago) there were some very muddy sections.
There are no public toilets on the route.
“C” Walk – 6 miles – Leader Tony Whiffen
From the coach park (Industrial Estate) we walk directly to the Leisure Centre in Flint, here there are toilets available to us, we then start our walk and head straight back down the road and under the railway line to Flint Castle, here we will spend some time exploring these impressive remains that overlook the Dee Estuary. The Castle was built by Edward 1 and completed around 1284, designed by Richard L’Engeneur from Chester.
From here we follow the coastal path giving us great views over the estuary towards Neston and Parkgate on the Wirral. We continue past the old dock and head through Silver Birch woodland for a while and then stop for a break at a raised view point before we follow the coastal path for a mile or so to the small town of Bagillt. Here we leave the coastal path and continue the walk inland, ascending though housing estates (with fantastic views of the estuary) and on roads until we reach open ground at a footpath where we will stop for lunch at a playground. Ongoing from here there are around 4 styles to negotiate until we cross the road again and continue back to the coach via Flint marshes. The walk is around six miles and we have the opportunity to re-join the coastal walk again should it be a nice day. There are a couple of pubs in the town and a Costa Coffee outlet at the Leisure Centre.
Llangollen 2 February 2025
“A” Walk – 12 miles – Moderate – Leader Phil Mellor
Similar to a previous “A” walk we have completed which has stunning views of the Vale of Llangollen.
We start our longitudinal walk at the Froncysyllte car park and by using Tower Hill lane we climb up and start getting good views. After crossing a few fields we again use lanes to take us up to Sunny Bank and Top Reservoir which has now been drained for repairs. Steadily climbing through Newton Mountain forest we can see Ruabon Mountain moorland to our right and after another short walk on lanes we will be walking across the moor. On the moor we reach our highest point of approximately 500 meters before dropping down to Worlds End. Now we tackle the edge of Eglwyseg Mountain where we get the stunning views over the valley which leads us to Panorama. With views along the valley and Offa’s Dyke path below us we must watch our footing. Now for our first decision – to drop down adjacent to the castle on a steep slope or carry on down the zigzag path to the road and again if we have enough time we can walk to the top of the castle or use the lanes to return to the town and back to the coach which will be parked in the main town car park.
“B” Walk – Castell Dinas Bran and Offa’s Dyke Path – 9 miles – Leader Michael Taylor
We start with an 800 ft climb to Castell Dinas Bran built in 1260 by “Prince Gruffudd ap Madoc”. After an even steeper decent the walk joins the Offa’s Dyke Path on the Panorama Walk. Our first mile along the Offa’s Dyke follows the unclassified road before branching North across a well-defined path bounded by scree. The route then veers west across the valley to rejoin the unclassified road before veering west through woodland towards Tan-y-fron. We continue to hog the lower slopes of Fron Fawr whilst following the route back to Castell Dinas Bran. Maintaining height unveils some magnificent views westward across numerous valleys. Finally, we descend into Llangollen along the path ascended earlier in the day.
“C” Walk – Trevor to Llangollen- 6 miles – Leader Marilyn Norbury & Kathleen Conroy
The walks starts from the Pontcysylte Aqueduct car park, just a short walk from the canal basin, toilets and the aqueduct which can be viewed by those wishing to, before we begin the walk.
After a short stretch along the canal, we go up to cross the main road and on to Trevor Hall and Trevor Uchaf woods where we will have 11’s.
The route then continues to climb steadily until we reach the minor road on the panorama walk. We take 5 mins here for a quick drink and then walk to the foot of Castle Dinas Bran (mostly steadily downhill from here on) where we will have lunch. The walk continues to go round the foot of Castle Dinas Bran and descends into Llangollen where there are plenty of cafes, pubs and toilets.
Macclesfield Forest 19 January 2025
“A” Walk – 11.5 miles – Leader Yvonne Mason
This walk entails a sparsely populated area of isolated farms, rolling hills, forest, wild and open moorlands, and rushing streams. The area has seen little change over the centuries, apart from the planting of conifers and the construction of reservoirs.
We begin by going along a Quiet Road, and after crossing the Gritstone Trail, we take a path, bringing us out at the Hanging Gate pub. We cross over the road and head towards Oakenclough and follow the stream to Greenway Bridge.
Traversing the valley side to Wildboarclough, we briefly follow the wooded valley and pretty river before ascending Shutingsloe, The Cheshire Matterhorn, at 506m ( 1659 ft ). It’s a steep ascent, but only a short climb to the trig point.
A complete change of landscape is next, as we pass through Macclesfield Forest, a former royal hunting ground. On reaching the Leathers Smithy pub, we turn towards Langley and make our way up Teggs Nose, before returning to Sutton Lane Ends.
“B” Walk – 9 miles – Leader Ruth Beach
The Church House at Sutton has very kindly allowed us to park the coach in their car park and has been very helpful in many ways, including allowing us to use their toilets on arrival. so please show your appreciation. It is only a small pub but has very good heated sitting areas outside.
Most of the walk is along well maintained paths, just a couple of field paths early on.
From Sutton Lanes Ends, we ascend the road up to Ridge Hill, then down the footpath towards Langley, then right along Cock Hall Lane and then up toward Ridgegate Reservoir and along to the Trentabank car park and visitors centre where will have a break to make use of the toilets etc.
Then we have our longest ascent of the day up though the forest and then round the edge of the forest where the views become more spectacular. From the Standing Stone Car Park, we follow the minor road round to The Chapel, which will be ideal for lunch.
If time allows, we should be able to take the path up to the forest on to a well-maintained path through the forest, then the forest track takes us back down to Ridgegate Reservoir. From here we will take the road through Langley, passing Bottoms reservoir and back to Sutton.
“C” Walk – 5.5 miles – Leader Mike Martin
We start from the car park at the Church House pub at Sutton Lane Ends and head down the road to Langley. From here we take a path up to Ridgehill. Weather permitting we should get a good view of Teggs Nose. Then a short distance downhill we turn onto a minor road (Judy Lane) which takes us to the centre of Sutton village where there is a good place to stop for elevenses.
After our break we continue on paths to reach Sutton Reservoir. We walk the length of this and descend on passing the dam. After a short distance and crossing a main road we reach the Macclesfield Canal. We follow this for about 1.5 miles. We then have a choice of venues for a drink etc. First there is the Fairways Garden Centre which has a very nice cafe. Or if preferred a short walk further along the canal brings us to Ye Olde Kings Head pub in Gurnett.
From either of these it is about 15 mins walk back to our starting point at the Church House.
Styal Country Park 5 January 2025
“A” Walk – 11 miles – Moderate – Leader Philip Mellor
A surprisingly nice walk considering we are close to Manchester; we start by walking to Style village which are the preserved workers cottages. In the village we have the School, Church and cottage gardens to look at before we walk down to Style Mill. At the mill we see the impressive mill buildings, gardens and hopefully the mill wheel in operation. Now we follow the River Bollin passing “The Carrs” as we make our way to walk through Wilmslow before we turn off to walk by Black Lake. After we walk along a country lane we walk past our next lake then onwards over open flat scrub land. Then walking along Graveyard Lane, we see the old graveyard and aviary with peacocks and pheasants, crossing fields we then join Davenport Lane & Lady Lane to see the airport runway at Crash Gate 9. Walking along the North Cheshire Way passing the side of the runway – hopefully we see aeroplanes taking off. Passing the River Bollin and road tunnels we then join the Bollin riverside walk at the Airport Hotel to walk back to Style Mill and the coach.
“B” Walk – 8.5 miles – Leader John Moreton
We set off from the Ship Inn past Styal Village and Chapel towards Quarry Bank Mill where there are toilets and cafe and some interesting features. We continue through Styal Country Park crossing farmland for our first break. The route continues across fields and tracks to reach Manchester Airport runway perimeter fence just in time for lunch. Having seen a few take-offs and landings we return to the country park following the River Bollin, climbing the steps up and down returning to the mill and the Ship Inn.
“C” Walk – 5.5 miles – Leader Barry Comerford
From the coach we walk by Styal village, the original dwellings of the workforce, to the Mill where there are toilets. Built in the early 1800’s, the mill is powered by a large paddle wheel which can be seen today. From there we follow the river back to The Carrs public park and picnic tables. Looping back to the visitor centre and past the Apprentice house, home to the child workers. After a gradual descent into Chapel Woods we follow the river again crossing Oxbow bridge. We than ascend the only set of steps on our walk, being rewarded with impressive views of the valley before returning to the Mill and cafeteria.