Sunday 21st January 2018 - Ruthin, North Wales

This month our walks are in North Wales based on Ruthin.  The coach will leave school as usual at 8.00 am prompt and travel Loggerheads Country Park for a toilet and booting up stop.  The A walk starts here but the other three groups continue on the coach. The B party will alight after 5 mins at  Llanferres and the B+ and C will continue  to the Craft Centre in Ruthin where all the walks finish. Boots are essential on all walks.   We will depart at 5.00pm arriving back in Formby about 7.00pm.  

The cost of travel will be £11.00 for members, £14.00 for non-members and £5.00 for Leaders, children and students in full time education. Please note the changed coach fare. Please make your cheque payable to Range Walking Club and ensure it is signed as it is inconvenient for the Treasurer to chase up such omissions.

Please send in your return to the Treasurer Monica Sealey before 11th January; places will be booked on the coach by the treasurer on a first come first served basis.

Cancellations: if you need to cancel or make a late booking, please contact the Treasurer on 01704 809287 or by email monicatuk@yahoo.co.uk who will endeavour to substitute your booking from the waiting list.  If you cancel after 11th January and it is not possible to fill your place on the coach, regrettably, we will not be able to give you a refund as coaches will have been booked on initial returns.

‘A’ Walk Distance: 11 miles Ascent: 2,100 ft Leaders: Gordon Spence John Hughes	From Loggerheads Country Park we take the riverside path through the wooded gorge of the River Alyn, passing the remains of ancient lead working.  After a mile or so the route turns west on generally good paths which steadily climb to the Jubilee tower (1820) at the summit of Moel Famau (1800 ft). The highlight of the walk is the next section, north, along the ridge of the Clwydian range following part of Offa’s Dyke long distance footpath.  After passing over Moel Dywyll there is an easy descent to the  600ft contour line which is followed south,  maintaining splendid views over the renowned Vale of Clwyd for as long as possible.  The final couple of miles back to Ruthin follows field paths which may be muddy if not frozen.
‘B+’ Walk Distance: 12 miles Ascent: 1,000 ft Leaders: Lynn Smith Claire Lyons	This is a circular walk, beginning at the Craft Centre in Ruthin. It takes in some of the pretty scenery in and around the town. We take a path through fields and head north, to the village of Rhewl. From here, we pick up a lovely scenic route, known as Lady Bagot's Drive, at the end of which is the village of Bontchuel. We then walk south through forest - which was once part of the Bagot family's hunting grounds. We then head to the village of Llanfwrog, though some pleasant lanes. There's an option to visit a waterfall along the way. Our way back into Ruthin is once again through some forest.
‘B’ Walk Distance: 9 miles Ascent: 1,000 ft Leaders: David Willis Gill Hickmott	This linear walk, passes through varied landscapes, from Llanferres to Ruthin. We first head east to cross the river Alun for our first short climb.  Turning south we pass through woods and isolated rough pastures along the contour lines before descending to cross a small valley. Our route up the other side takes us to our first panoramic view point from which we descend to cross the river Alun again before tackling the backbone of the Clwydian Range. This is a very pretty, quiet and sheltered route with easy gradients and it will give us ample opportunity to practice our hurdling and limbo skills!  At the top (which is the saddle between Moel Gwyn and Moel Eithinen) we briefly join the Offas Dyke path where we are rewarded with far reaching views over the Clwyd valley.  Our route to the valley floor is through woodland. To liven up the crossing of the flat valley floor the footpaths take us through a farm and Ruthin School!  You will need boots and have been warned!
‘C’ Walk Distance: 7.5 miles Ascent: 760 ft Leaders: Denise Nunn Carol Whitby	Our walk starts and finishes at the Craft Centre where there are toilets and a cafe with tea, coffee and cakes!  We walk through the pretty town with some lovely old buildings, dating from the 1400's and then out into the countryside. We then head South West through fields, tracks and quiet lanes with some lovely views and then head North to the river Clywedog and follow it's valley and Gorge to the village of Rhewl. Any ascents are not steep or long and will be taken at a comfortable pace.  Some paths may be muddy so boots are essential and poles are advisable. There are 14 stiles.