Wrexham Walking Festival is taking place from Saturday 6 June to Sunday 14 June, with 21 walks on offer to celebrate the history and beauty of Northeast Wales.
There are morning, afternoon, evening and all-day walks, of varying lengths and difficulties, and starting from various locations around Wrexham and surrounding areas.
Each walk has a difficulty grading, and the distances and timings are approximate.
Leaders may need to amend the walks to take account of the size of the group, weather conditions and other changed circumstances.
Many of the walks will cross fields containing grazing livestock, therefore dogs are not permitted.
Walkers are also encouraged to wear suitable boots and clothing and bring plenty of food and drinks for longer walks.
All walks are free of charge with no need to book. Just come along and enjoy!
Walks
/// – what3words
Saturday 6th June
Walk 1
Harder Walk – 7 miles (11.25 km), 2460 ft (750 m) of ascent
A 4.5 hour challenging circularwalk from the top of the Horseshoe Pass, Llangollen over the Llantysilio Mountains – Moel y Faen, Moel Gamelin, Moel y Gaer and Moel Morfydd. Meet at 9.15 for a 9.30 start opposite the Ponderosa café (LL20 8DR Grid Ref SJ 193 481 ///gala.puddings.plodded).
Walk 2
Moderate Walk – 5-6 miles (8-10 km), 820 ft (250 m) of ascent
A 3 hour circular walk from Brymbo along footpaths and roads, through woods and fields towards Cymau then returning by Brymbo Woods and along Halcog. Meet at 9.45 for a 10.00 start in the free car park at the Enterprise Centre, Blast Road, Brymbo (LL11 5BT Grid Ref SJ 294 537 ///spilled.completed.quietest).
Sunday 7th June
Walk 1
Harder Walk – 11 miles (17.5 km), 2000 ft (610 m) of ascent
A 6 hour challenging circular walk from Cilcain to the Iron Age hillforts on Moel Arthur and Pen y Cloddiau, returning on an old road which contours below these Clwydian hills. Meet at 9.15 for a 9.30 start in the viewpoint lay-by about 0.5 miles west of Cilcain (free parking) (CH7 5PA Grid Ref SJ 171 652 ///warnings.adapt.rash).
Walk 2 (Afternoon Walk)
Moderate Walk – 4.5 miles (7.25 km), 550 ft (168 m) of ascent
A 2.5-3 hour circular walk from Coed Talon through Pontybodkin up towards Hope Mountain then down to Llanfynydd and returning along the disused railway track. Meet at 14.15 for a 14.30 start at Coed Talon in the layby on Tir y Fron Lane opposite the Railway Inn on the A5104 (CH7 4TN Grid Ref SJ 269 589 ///pickup.currently.eagle).
Monday 8th June
Walk 1
Harder Walk – 6.5 miles (10.5 km), 935 ft (285 m) of ascent
A 3.5-4 hour linear walk, using public transport, from the road junction at Four Crosses near Bwlchgwyn to Ffrith and on to Caergwrle then returning by bus/train to Wrexham. Meet at 8.30 in King Street Bus Station, Wrexham to catch the T51 Denbigh bus at 8.50.
Walk 2 (Evening Walk)
Easier Walk – 3 miles (5 km), 250 ft (75 m) of ascent
A 2 hour circular walk in the Hope area, along Wat’s Dyke around Caer Estyn and through nearby fields. Meet at 18.15 for an 18.30 start in the free car park across from the Family Health Centre on Hawarden Road (A550) in Hope (LL12 9NP Grid Ref SJ 309 578 ///exclusive.this.gardens).
Tuesday 9th June
Walk 1
Harder Walk – 11.5 miles (18.5 km), 1500 ft (450 m) of ascent
A 6 hour linear walk, using public transport, from Llandegla to the World Heritage site at Pontcysyllte via Offa’s Dyke path, Eglwyseg mountain and the Panorama walk. Meet at 8.30 in King Street Bus Station, Wrexham to catch the T51 Denbigh bus at 8.50. At the end of the walk, there may be opportunity for refreshments in the Pontcysyllte Chapel Tearoom before catching a bus back to Wrexham.
Walk 2 (Afternoon Walk) (repeated on Thursday)
Easier Walk – 4 miles (6.5 km)
A 2.5-3 hour circular and mostly level walk on pavements and footpaths around the city centre linking sites related to Wrexham’s Year of Wonder (1876). Meet at 14.15 for a 14.30 start by Wrexham War Memorial opposite the Library in Bodhyfryd (LL12 7AD Grid Ref SJ 336 506 ///button.dots.battle).
Walk 3 (Evening Walk)
Moderate Walk – 5 miles (8 km), 550 ft (165 m) of ascent
A 3 hour circular walk around Nercwys Forest near Mold then on to Tir y coed and back. Meet at 17.15 for a 17.30 start in Nercwys Forest (northern) Car Park off Ffordd Cae Newydd (CH7 4AY Grid Ref SJ 218 593 ///option.being.signed).
Wednesday 10th June
Walk 1
Harder Walk – 7 miles (11.25 km), 1590 ft (485 m) of ascent
A 4 hour circular walk from Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog southwards over Pen y Glôg, crossing the Ceiriog Way into Powys and returning via Pantglas Ucha. There is an option for lunch afterwards in The Hand. Meet at 9.15 for a 9.30 start in the centre of the village where there is limited parking (LL20 7LD Grid Ref SJ 157 328 ///camps.mows.enacts).
Walk 2 (Evening Walk)
Easier Walk – 4 miles (6.5 km), 300 ft (90 m) of ascent
A 2.5 hour circular walk from Llangollen to Valle Crucis Abbey, around Velvet Hill to Horseshoe Falls then returning along the canal towpath. Meet at 18.15 for an 18.30 start in the (P&D) Pavilion car park on the A542 (Abbey Road) (LL20 8SW Grid Ref SJ 210 426 ///boomers.waltzed.guests).
Thursday 11th June
Walk 1
Harder Walk – 9 miles (14.5 km), 1500 ft (450 m) of ascent
A 5 hour circular walk from Llanferres, around Bryn Alyn, then on to Nercwys Mountain and Moel Findeg at Maeshafn before returning via Big Covert Wood. Meet at 9.15 for a 9.30 start in the large lay-by on the A494 about 0.5 miles south of Llanferres (CH7 5SN Grid Ref SJ 187 598 ///hillsides.encrusted.blackbird).
Walk 2 (Afternoon Walk) (repeated from Tuesday)
A walk linking sites related to Wrexham’s Year of Wonder (1876).
Friday 12th June
Walk 1
Harder Walk – 8.75 miles (14 km), 1450 ft (450 m) of ascent
A 5 hour circular walk from Pontricket in the Ceiriog Valley north-westwards via the Ceiriog Trail towards Nantyr and the Ceiriog Forest. Meet at 9.15 for a 9.30 start in the large lay-by on the right of the B4500 about 2.75 miles beyond Glyn Ceiriog (LL20 7HT Grid Ref SJ 187 344 ///private.blink.imply).
Walk 2 (Afternoon Walk)
Easier Walk – 4 miles (6.5 km), 325 ft (100 m) of ascent
A 2.5 hour circular walk in and around Erddig Country Park, Wrexham. Meet at 13.15 for a 13.30 start in the large free car park at Felin Puleston on Ruabon Road opposite Booker Wrexham (LL13 7RF Grid Ref SJ 325 494 ///explain.pinks.lawfully).
Walk 3 (Evening Walk)
Harder Walk – 6 miles (10 km), 1940 ft (590 m) of ascent
A 3 hour circular walk from Llangollen up through Dinbren Woods and above Trevor Rocks. Meet at 17.45 for an 18.00 start by The Bridge End Hotel in Llangollen (LL20 8RY Grid Ref SJ 215 422 ///searcher.perused.spindles).
Saturday 13th June
Walk 1
Harder Walk – 11 miles (17.8 km), 2430 ft (740 m) of ascent
A 6 hour challenging circular walk from Llandrillo up to Cadair Berwyn, returning via Moel Pearce, Moel Tŷ Uchaf Bronze Age stone circle and Hendwr. Meet at 9.15 for a 9.30 start in the free car park at Llandrillo (LL21 0TG Grid Ref SJ 035 372 ///occur.sits.traps).
Walk 2
Moderate Walk – 5 miles (8 km), 730 ft (222 m) of ascent
A 3 hour circular walk from Nant Mill near Coedpoeth on footpaths and over fields, taking in Upper Plas Power Woods, Offa’s Dyke, stepping stones over the river and the lead mines then returning along by the river. Meet at 9.45 for a 10.00 start in the car park (£1 charge) at Nant Mill (LL11 3BT Grid Ref SJ 289 501 ///eagle.ourselves.each).
Walk 3 (Afternoon Walk)
Easy Walk – 2 miles (3.25 km), 70 ft (20 m) of ascent
An approximately 2 hour circular stroll around Chirk exploring its sporting heritage and industrial history – past the War Memorial, Aqueduct and Viaduct, Chirk Castle gates and back to St Mary’s Church. Meet at 14.15 for a 14.30 start in the free car park by the Health Centre behind The Hand Hotel off the B5070 (Church St) (LL14 5DH Grid Ref SJ 291 378 ///acid.majority.rebounder).
Sunday 14th June
Walk 1
Harder Walk – 9.7 miles (15.6 km), 650 ft (200 m) of ascent
A 5.5 hour linear walk, using public transport, from the road junction at Four Crosses near Bwlchgwyn to Wrexham via Minera Quarry, Frondeg, Bronwylfa and Bersham. Meet at 8.30 in King Street Bus Station, Wrexham to catch the T51 Denbigh bus at 8.50.
Walk 2 (Afternoon Walk)
Easier Walk – 3 miles (4.8 km), 300 ft (90 m) of ascent
A 2 hour leisurely circular walk looking at the local history around Holt and Farndon visiting the St Chad’s churches in both villages and Holt Castle with a riverside walk on both sides of the bridge. Meet at 14.00 for a 14.30 start in Green Street Car Park in Holt (LL13 9JF Grid Ref SJ 410 541 ///abolish.including.kinks).
To download the Festival Programme and for updates, latest information and more details of start locations as well as information about regular programmes of walks, please visit the Walks in Wrexham website or email walkaboutwrexham@outlook.com.
Alternatively, you can contact Wrexham Visitor Information Centre in Chester Street, Wrexham, LL13 8BB.
