Ideas for short walks, and a quick fix of the outdoors
“You should spend half an hour in nature every day. Unless you’re really busy, in which case, make it an hour”
Loggerheads Country Park
Riverside walks in the wooded valley of the Afon Alyn, and up to limestone cliffs with views of Moel Famau. Managed by Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB. Waymarked paths, visitor centre and café .
About 3 miles from Mold on the Ruthin road at CH7 5LH.
Parking from £1.50
Bryn Alyn Limestone Pavements
A trio of limestone hilltops, in a block of Open Access land, 10 minutes from the roadside. Great westerly-facing views towards the main Bryniau Clwyd ridge, perfect for summer evenings. Look out for limestone-loving plants, like the Early Purple Orchid which appears around April/May.
Postcode CH7 4DD. Half a mile north of the village of Eryrys, on Pant Du Road towards Nercwys, there’s a small lay-by on the left just after a public footpath sign. Park here & follow the path/track for about 10 minutes onto the hilltops.
Foel Fenlli
Moel Famau’s quieter sibling. An old celtic hill fort (the ramparts are still clearly visible); one of many in the area, but probably the most accessible. Head for Bwlch Penbarras at postcode CH7 5SH. From the car park at the top of the pass, not the one at Coed Moel Famau lower down (so continue past that, if coming from Mold), ignore the crowds taking the wide tracks to Moel Famau, and head up the hill on the opposite side instead – you’ll be at the summit cairn in about half an hour, for some great views of the hills to the south of the range around Llanarmon-yn-Iâl and Llandegla.
The Panorama, Eglwyseg Mountain
A limestone escarpment, with great views over Castell Dinas Brân & Llangollen. On Panorama Walk, at LL20 8EG. There’s free parking at Trevor Rocks, an old quarry and a popular climbing spot, but it’s a busy area, maybe best left for a summer evening – the setting sun is in exactly the right place! (From Wrexham direction, in Acrefair, just after the Duke of Wellington pub, take Tower Hill for 1.5 miles, continue into Blackwood Road, turn left at the end, and follow for about 0.7 mile to the quarry
Plas Power & Nant Mill woods, Bersham, Wrexham
Two adjacent woods in the Clywedog valley, managed by Coed Cadw/Woodland Trust. Plas Power (the more popular bit) has 2 waterfalls, and is crossed by Offa’s Dyke. Great at any time for a short walk, but unbeatable in spring when the wild garlic and bluebells are in full bloom.
Postcode LL14 4HT will take you to Bersham village, then follow signs for Nant Mill (right at fork) from there. There’s roadside parking at the bottom end of Plas Power near St. Mary’s church, or a car park at Nant Mill from where both woods can be accessed.
Minera Quarry
Former limestone quarry, and a noteworthy geological site, now managed by North Wales Wildlife Trust and being reclaimed by nature.
5 miles west of Wrexham at the edge of Eglwyseg Mountain at LL11 3DE. From the A525, take the B5426 into Minera village, then turn right in the centre of the village past St. Mary’s Church, and left into Maes y Ffynon Road. Free Parking
Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves
Minera Quarry (above) is just one of many North Wales Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves in the north east, and you’re never more than half an hour by car from one. There’s a good mix of habitats – typically, woodlands to the east of Bryniau Clwyd, and moorland and wetlands to the west. Find them here : NWWT Nature Reserves or for Powys, at Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust
Image : Tegeirian Brych / Common Spotted Orchid at Coed y Felin Nature Reserve, Hendre, Yr Wyddgrug/Mold
Or if you need more … Y Gop (Gop Hill) near Trelawnyd, Moel Hiraddug near Dyserth, Halkyn Mountain, or Moel Findeg near Maeshafn
moel a mynydd - hill & mountain 