Long ARS on Saturday

Saturday 23rd October

8.3 miles in the Clwydian Range, North Wales;

meet Audlem Car park at 8.30am.

Karen Mason is leading the next ARS (Audlem Rambling Society) walk, described below.

An 8.3 mile walk from just south of the village of Cilcain, Flintshire, up to Moel Llys-y-Coed and Moel Dywyll with the option of including the highest point on the Clwydian range, Moel Famau (609m). It's quite a strenuous walk with some steep but short climbs. Total ascent 415m (3-booter).

We begin in a parking area south of the village of Cilcain. After heading uphill to the village, we continue via farmland, quiet lanes and bridleways to reach the narrow saddle between Moel Arthur and Moel Llys-y-Coed. Here we take the Offa's Dyke path to ascend steeply to reach the plateau of Moel Llys-y-Coed with views across the Vale of Clwyd and back to Moel Arthur crowned with the earthworks of an Iron Age hillfort.

We continue on an undulating path to Moel Dywyll with its two trig points and finally arrive close to the summit of Moel Famau where you can choose either to climb steeply to reach the Jubilee tower offering exceptional 360 degree views, or take a contouring path overlooking an attractive side valley. The return route is mostly easy walking with no further challenges to tired legs.

We'll be walking through farmland with sheep and cattle but there are no more than a handful of styles.

Postcode for parking CH75PE or type Water Works Cilcain into Google maps. OS ref: SJ171647.The journey is approximately 1hr 10mins.

To reach the parking area from Cilcain village (CH75NN), turn left at the White Lion pub and left again after the church. Follow the lane all the way down to a junction where you'll find the parking area on the left next to the waterworks.

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.

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.