Audlem Ramblers Walk Saturday 22 Nov 8.30 am

View from top of Helsby Hill across Mersey Estuary

Audlem Ramblers Walk Saturday 22 Nov 8.30 am – Helsby Hill

Departing Audlem Car Park at 8.30, we are parking at: Best Western Forest Hills Hotel, Overton Dr, Frodsham WA6 6BG (Grid Ref SJ 518767). We have permission to park there and suggest that as soon as you enter the car park, there are plenty of spaces immediately on the LHS.

Distance: 6.25 ml (10km) Height gain 1254ft (382m) 2+ Booter Generally speaking, the walking is on good paths and tracks and few muddy areas. No stiles and very dog friendly as we encountered no animals other than dogs and squirrels!

We start by walking SW on the Sandstone Trail across what used to be Frodsham Golf Course. This is now owned/managed by the Woodlands Trust who seem to be doing a lot to develop it with tree planting etc. We then have a short but steep descent – a combination of metal steps, wooden steps and slippy stone – Bakers Dozen. Shortly after this we have another fairly steep descent down a leaf covered stone steps before walking through lovely mature woodland at the base of Woodhouse Hill with (hopefully) great views across the Dee Estuary.

We soon re-enter woodland to start the steady 0.5ml ascent up to the top of Helsby Hill with its amazing views of Liverpool and Welsh mountains – this is more or less the halfway point.

There will be stops for coffee and lunch of course!

Leaving the hill we descend fairly gently along good paths/tracks, rejoin the Sandstone Trail and head back towards Woodhouse Hill. There is a 1ml steady ascent along a good wide track before a reaching the base of the Bakers Dozen and back up the steep steps and then across to the car park.

NB All walkers must have suitable footwear and be prepared for adverse weather, carry food and water to last for the entire walk and be suitably fit for the various lengths of walk.

Each walk is led by a nominated leader who will carry some first-aid equipment.

The leader has the right to refuse to include in a group anyone who is felt not be adequately equipped.

Non-members of Audlem Rambling Society (ARS) are welcome to come on a walk but are expected to join ARS and pay the membership fee after a trial walk or two.