Walk 1885 - Moel Arthur and Penycloddiau

      
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This walk takes in the most northerly sections of high ground in the Clwydian Hills before they lose height towards the North Wales Coast. The start is the car park (Grid ref. SJ139668) on the minor road from Nannerch (just off the A541 between Mold and Denbigh) to Llanwyfan. The route generally follows well signed paths although some care is needed with navigation on the section leading to Pen-y-bryn. However the use of a 1:25000 map solves most of the problems quite quickly.

Exit the car park and turn north (right) onto the Offa’s Dyke National Trail. The first section leads up along the edge of a forest to reach open country at a stile. Just after this stile you cross the outer ditch of the Penycloddiau Fort. The way ahead continues uphill along the ridge to reach the summit of the hill from where you can get a good idea of the size of this ancient fort. Staying on the Offa’s Dyke path, descend north to the next col below Moel y Parc (Grid ref. SJ121689). Here a number of paths and tracks meet.

Turn sharp right here and follow the enclosed track for about 300 metres. At the end of this track take the gate on your right (Grid ref. SJ124689) and continue across fields and past a ruined building to reach a path junction (Grid ref. SJ135683). Go right here and continue to reach an enclosed track on the approach to Pen-y-bryn farm (Grid ref. SJ140680). Where the track bends to the left, go right through a gate and then immediately left with the hedge to your left. Cross the track leading to Blaen-y-cwm and continue to reach a lane (Grid ref. SJ145679).

Cross this lane and walk up the access road to Bryn-ffynnon and turn left over a stile. The route climbs steeply up a field to join a track. Follow this track until it fades and then go half left across the next field to a stile. Continue uphill over grass aiming for the right hand side of small conifer plantation ahead where you join a track (Grid ref. SJ155677). Turn left along this track and follows it for 2 km to a lane in to the col (Grid ref. SJ147657) just to the south of Moel Arthur. Reaching the small car park, turn right through a kissing gate and follow the path as its climbs across the eastern flank of Moel Arthur. A few minor paths go off left if you want to explore the summit otherwise stay on the Offa’s Dyke path as it descends to a lane. The start is a few yards along this lane to the right.

Suggested Maps

It is recommended you take a map with you when following a walk route. The preferred scale is 1:25000 used by the Explorer series.

	OS Explorer	1:25,000	Sheet 265
	OS Landranger	1:50,000	Sheet 116

Note : If two maps are listed at the same scale then either (a) both are required for full coverage of the route or (b) the route is covered on both maps.

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