40 pages/25 walks
Lying between the Conwy Valley and the Vale of Clwyd, and extending north from the edge of the heather moorland of Mynydd Hiraethog towards the coast, is a hidden, beautiful, unspoilt part of North Wales, generally by-passed by visitors as they head to nearby crowded Snowdonia. Its northern perimeter is defined by the B5381 running west from St Asaph, a former Roman road and coaching route from Chester to Conwy.
At the heart of this little known part of Conwy County is a delightful area of rolling hills and lush part wooded Elwy and Aled river valleys. Welsh culture and language continues to play an important part in the life of its small close-knit farming communities and historic villages, with ancient churches and traditional country inns.
It is a wonderful walking area with a feeling of timelessness about it. Its small hills, now Open Access areas, offer stunning views, especially of the mountains of Snowdonia as you move further west. Complimenting its existing paths and bridleways is a network of quiet attractive country roads featuring a variety of hedgerow flowers in spring and summer.
This book of 25 circular walks explores the area's enclosed upland pasture, moorland fringes, hills, river valleys, woods, and small upland lakes. There are walks along the eastern edge of the Conwy Valley, including Bodnant Garden, two classic viewpoints, and around Llanrwst and Capel Garmon. Other walks explore the undulating countryside further east, from ancient communities, including Llansannan, Llangernyw, Llanfair T.H. and Llannefydd. Some walks include sections of the waymarked North Wales Pilgrim's Way from Holywell to Bardsey Island and the Clwydian Way.
The routes, which range from a 2 mile walk to an ancient hillfort to a 7½ mile valley and upland walk, follow public rights of way and permissive paths or cross Open Access land. A key feature is that most individual routes, as well as containing shorter walk options, can easily be linked to provide longer and more challenging day walks, if required.
A great walking area with so much to discover and enjoy.
