Category: Walking

This linear trail climbs the wild North Berwyn Mountains to the south of the River Dee. To walk the full 13 miles, start at either Corwen or Llangollen. Both towns are on the main A5 (London-Holyhead) road. The route is waymarked, and split into five sections that start and finish at easily accessible points. This is a challenging route, for experienced walkers, and it’s essential to be properly equipped with walking boots, waterproof clothing and the large scale 1:25,000 OS Explorer map (orange cover) “255 Llangollen and the Berwyns”, on which the route can be followed in greater detail.

Walk up to the Castle ruins. Built in the 1260s by a local Welsh ruler, Prince Gruffudd ap Madoc, to guard the strategic route through the Dee Valley, Castell Dinas Brân appears as an impressive landmark. Towering high above the Dee Valley and the bustling town of Llangollen, home of the International Eisteddfod, Castell Dinas Bran occupies one of Britain's most spectacular sites. A rugged, foreboding pinnacle, the hillock was the ideal spot to erect a castle. It seemed completely impenetrable, commanded views for miles around, and offered quick recognition of an approaching visitor, whether friend or foe. Yet, the native Welsh princes of Powys occupied the hilltop for only a few decades. Today, that same site is open to exploration by the public. Forced to climb to the summit, modern visitors experience the struggle and the exhilaration that the castle's medieval inhabitants - and their Edward I attackers - must have felt. Without a doubt, the walk is a breathtaking challenge. However, that climb heightens the allure of Dinas Bran.

The Horseshoe Falls are a popular attraction, despite being a man made weir rather than a natural wonder. Start from the Berwyn, a station Llangollen Railway (or you can park nearby) and follow the Clwydian Way along the Afon Dyfrdwy (River Dee). The Horseshoe Falls are actually a man-made feature built by Thomas Telford in order to feed the Llangollen Canal.  The nearby A5 was also built by Telford as the main London – Holyhead  road, now largely used by tourists. The Chainbridge has recently been restored and makes an interesting and popular way to cross the Afon Dyfrdwy (River Dee) to the Chainbridge Hotel. It was built by the incredibly named – Exuperious Pickering – in 1814 to transport lime from the Llangollen Canal to the A5, though the original has been rebuilt and strengthened. The Route The walk itself is a straightforward ramble that follows the Clwydian Way and you can either return the same way or follow a slightly higher return via the road if you want to do a circular walk.  

This walk up Moel Tan y Coed, also known as Velvet Hill – with neither name appearing on the OS mapping – starts from the Llangollen Railway station at Berwyn and also includes the popular Horseshoe Falls. There are also three pubs and a brewery on the route, so you’ll be fine if you get thirsty. The Horseshoe Falls, like the nearby A5 were built by Thomas Telford and aren’t natural despite their popularity.  There’s also the recently renovated Chainbridge near the start of the walk that provides an interesting way to cross the Dee. Moel Tan y Coed, or Velvet Hill, provides unrivalled views across Llangollen and the valley and can be walked as a quick up and down walk for those who are looking for a shorter walk. The route returns to the start via the flanks of Llantysilio Mountains.

The Llangollen History Walk takes in the Horseshoe Falls, Valle Crucis Abbey and Castell Dinas Bran along the way. The Clwydian Hills are probably one of the best kept secrets in North Wales. There are many walking routes in the area, this is one from the official Clwydian AONB site. The Route The walk start off from Llangollen and follows the banks of the River Dee and the canal via The Clwydian Way. The route passes Vale Crucis Abbey and on the final section you’re straight uphill to the hilltop castle of Castell Dinas Bran before ending on a short decent to Llangollen.

This walk follows the Llangollen Panorama Walk as well as Offa’s Dyke National Trail and the limestone escarpment of Eglwyswg Mountain. The walk follows the clifftops of Eglwyseg Mountain on the way out as far as World’s End before returning along Offa’s Dyke National Trail to the start. Route Start Location: Trevor Rocks near Llangollen - on the Panorama Walk Parking : LL20 8EG (Free parking in large layby at start).  

This a short walk from Rhewl near Llangollen along the Clwydian Way Trail to the bwlch (pass) on Llantysilio Mountain, taking in stunning views of the valleys either side. You could easily extend the walk to Moel y Gamelin or Moel Morfydd.