Our dog friendly holiday cottages in North Wales, are in an ideal spot to explore this beautiful area. We’re very lucky to live in an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ (AONB), its perfect walking country and in this part of North East Wales, many of our favourite walks, are still ‘Hidden Gem’s’ and you won’t find the crowds that you do in Snowdonia!
As a family we’ve always enjoyed being out and about discovering new places, but with the addition of our new dog Eli, we’ve got more excuse now than ever!
I hope you love the list of our ‘Top 5 Stunning Local Walks’ as much as we do!
All of these walks give you the feel-good factor, but I’ve also included ‘Stir-you-soul’ rating as well – for walks that have stunning views in-particular 😊
1. Starting Point - The Old Mill Holiday Cottages
Denbigh Road, Melin-Y-Wern, Nr Mold
Difficulty Level – Easy/Moderate
Time – 2 hour circular
Footwear – Walking boots/wellies (Can be muddy in the Winter)
Views to stir you soul - 3/5
Cross the road in front of The Cherry Pie Inn (An ideal stop, for lunch or an evening meal) Take the footpath between the two bungalow cottages. Walk ½ mile to the end of the lane, at the T-Junction, you’ll see a bench, look out for the footpath sign to the right. Follow the footpath sign into the woodland.
This is a picturesque trail taking you through pretty woodland, following a meandering stream (Ideal for children and dogs to paddle!). Look out for the ‘Teepees’ (This is a lovely spot for children to play) Continue through on the woodland path for approx. 1 mile. Cross the stile into the meadow (Fabulous in the Summer months). Walk diagonally to reach the top end of the field. Look out for the stile. Cross the stile on to the lane. Turn left downhill, into the pretty hamlet of ‘Nannerch Mill’. Walk up the hill, following the tarmac lane to the attractive rural village of Nannerch. (Lovely viewpoint at the top of the hill). At the crossroads, turn left, walk through the village past the church. As you are leaving the village take the left turn. Keep going straight on this lane, which gradually takes you downhill and back to the bench. At the bench turn right – you have then completed the loop and are back on the lane to The Old Mill Holiday Cottages. (Cross the road in front of The Cherry Pie, for best visibility).
2. Penycloddiau Hill Fort, Llangwyfan
Difficulty Level – Moderate
Time – 2 hour circular
Footwear – Walking boots
Views to stir you soul - 5/5
Our favourite trail begins at the far-right hand side of the car park. The path takes you up a gradual incline through pine forest. (The path is a bit rugged in paces, be careful of tree roots and uneven ground). Once through the wooded area, the views to the left over the Vale of Clwyd are just beautiful!
Continue up the hill to the top of the hill fort – In good weather you can see for miles around, the views are just stunning!
Penycloddiau is the largest hillfort in the Clwydian Range and one of the largest in Wales. Recent archaeological searches have found stone tools dating back 4000 years to the Bronze Age.
There are many walks in this area and on the main its usually very quiet (Don’t tell anyone!!).
If you want to do a circular walk, head back down the hill, over the stile, and then look out for the right turn. This lower path leads you back to the car park.
3. Moel Famau to The Jubilee Tower
Difficulty Level – Moderate
Time – 2 ½ hour circular
Footwear – Walking boots
Views to stir you soul - 5/5
Park at the lower car park (Change needed for parking). Here there is a nice playpark for children, picnic areas and toilets.
Moel Famau is the highest hill within the Clwydian Range, there are several walks from this area, for a range of abilities – Which makes this, and Loggerheads the most well-known and popular of the walks listed.
Our favourite is the purple trail (Which is clearly signed) it's a steady climb upwards (And gets your heart pumping!) It takes you through woodland footpaths and open countryside areas, with beautiful views across the Clwydian Range. The last section of this walk is the most challenging and includes a 30-minute steeper section - However, once you get to the top, you’re rewarded with reaching the Jubilee Tower, and stunning views across as far as Liverpool! (The Jubilee Tower was built to commemorate ‘Mad’ King George III and dates back to 1810 – However, it was never completed!).
4. Clwydian Range - Afonwen - Known Locally as ‘The Tank Track’
Difficulty Level – Easy/Moderate
Time – 1 to 2 hours – Or much further if you wish..?
Footwear – Walking boots
Views to stir you soul - 4/5
From the village of Afonwen, take the left turn towards ‘Afonwen Craft & Antiques Centre.’ (Popular café, antiques centre and gift shop – An ideal stop off!) Instead of branching left, continue straight up the steep hill. Please note – This road isn’t known locally as the ‘tank track’ for nothing! Drive carefully as this road is very steep and bumpy with many potholes, so it’s not ideal for your car!
From here, you can either walk to the top of the hill, the landscape extends ahead of you, like several big dippers! This is the chain of hills which makes up the Clwydian Range. In the distance you will be able to see Moel Famau. For keen more experienced walkers, there’s plenty of scope for a long walk here…
Alternatively, from the car park area, go through the 5-bar gate and on to Offa’s Dyke path, this is a much flatter and gentler walk, with sheep grazing in fields and isolated farms dotted around.
There are fabulous views for both of the walks mentioned here.
5. Loggerheads Country Park
Difficulty Level – Easy/Moderate
Time – 1 to 2 hours +
Footwear – Sensible Foot-ware (Weather depending)
Views to stir you soul - 3/5
Loggerheads Country Park is a very accessible walking area with large car park, café, gift shop, picnic area and toilets. (Please note change needed for parking).
It is a wonderful place to go walking at any time of year. There’s a short relatively flat circular walk (Approx. 1 hour) where you can wander alongside a pretty river (Ideal for children and dogs to paddle in the Summer). Take the left turn over the wooden bridge, and on to the opposite bank, this will take you back in a loop to the car park and café.
If you’d like more of a work-out, hike to the top of the steps, it’s more challenging to get up there, but the views from the top are outstanding!
I hope this has inspired you to explore this beautiful part of Flintshire and Denbighshire in North Wales.
If you're looking for accommodation, we’d love to welcome you to The Old Mill Holiday Cottages. Located within a picturesque historic mill complex, we have x4 well equipped and cosy cottages for you to choose from:
Sleeps 2, plus x2 S/M Dogs welcome
From £349 per week
Sleeps 2 (No Pets)
From £349 per week
Sleeps 4- Spacious 2 bedroom 2 bathroom cottage.
x2 Dogs welcome (Any size)
From £465 per week
Sleeps 2 (No Pets)
From £349 per week
If you have any question, just ask me Liz and I'm happy to help:
Email info@old-mill.co.uk
Tel. 01352 742175
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