Please note that the “Harder” walk on Wednesday, February 26th, and being led by Paul Upton, has now changed due to issues that Paul found during his reconnoitre. The new walk details are shown below. The walk start time remains unchanged.
Meet at the Moel Famau Bwlch Pen Barras Car Park CH75SH grid ref SJ 6055 1611. Directions – take the M56 past Chester, follow onto the A494 towards the A56 dual carriageway. Turn off onto the A494 Mold by pass and follow signs towards Ruthin. Once past Loggerheads, turn off right onto the minor road sign posted Moel Famau at a small hamlet called Tafarn Gelyn. The car park is the second CP on the left after 2–3 miles. It does not have a barrier, unlike the first CP.
The walk is altered from the one done a year ago. The plan is to walk downhill to the base of the ridge and walk along the paths to the north towards Moel Arthur. Then there is a steep climb up on the Offa’s dyke path up Moel Llys y Coed, (note we won’t go up Moel Arthur this time) and then return along the ridge passing the Jubilee tower on Moel Famau and then descending towards the car Park. This route avoids the steep climb at the end. The walk is 9.5 miles, it involves 2116 ft of ascent with some steep climbs (just after lunch) and is classified as level 2, but on a clear day there are some great views west over the Welsh hills and east over the Dee Valley.