Moel Arthur & Moel Famau from Cilcain - Clwydian Hills AONB Flintshire - Walk 2550

Region	Clwydian Hills AONB
County/Area	Flintshire & Denbighshire
Author	Mike Bexley
Length	13.0 miles / 21.1 km
Ascent	3300 feet / 1000 metres
Grade	moderate/hard
Start	OS grid reference SJ172647 Lat 53.1726515546097 + Long -3.24020853054967 Postcode CH7 5PF (approx. location only)

Part of this walk follows the Offa’s Dyke Path on the Clwydian Range of hills. On a clear day views are over the Vale of Clwyd to Snowdonia, the Isle of Man and the North West of England. The start is from Cilcain village near Loggerheads. The car park marked on the map opposite the church has a notice warning “that the gate may be locked at any time” so take the lane at the side of the church down to the bottom over the stream then left to park under the tree by the large grey building (Grid ref. SJ172648).

From this point walk up the lane back to the church, cross over the road and take the path to the right of the car park in a north-westerly direction. This path follows the fences across the fields to a lane. Keep straight on down the lane and over the stile in front of you. The path again crosses fields and the line is generally straight ahead. On reaching the woods on the left, go down hill aiming for the right hand corner of the field. Be warned it can be very wet underfoot here! Cross over the stream and turn left, going between the gate posts then up towards the right hand corner of the field and over the stile in the hedge to a road (Grid ref. 162 670).

Take the stile opposite going straight ahead over the stream and up into the woods. Follow the path in the woods straight ahead of you, then the wide path on the left that leads to a five bar gate (grid ref 156677). The wooden structure in the fence on your left is one of the many horse jumps you will see in this area.

From the five bar gate (grid ref 156677) and the wooden structure in the fence. Instead of turning left up the wide path continue straight on down the field heading for the stile in the bottom left hand corner. Continue in this direction over more stiles then on reaching the farm track proceed down hill. Just prior to reaching Bryn-ffnnon take the stile on the right, down a very steep bank to the farm road leading onto the main road (Grid ref 145679).

Cross over the road and follow the footpath that climbs up to Pen-y-Bryn. The path is shown on maps as going through the farm, but it now keeps to the left of the farm over a stile leading down to the right of a derelict wooden accommodation! Continue straight on over a stream then uphill onto the moor. The farmer must be praised here for providing such clear path markers, large yellow discs.

The path continues up to the derelict Pen-ucha r-cwm and then continues ahead to the farm track to Nant Coe-y-mynydd. Turn left on this track to the corner (grid ref 121690). Go through the gate on the left, then the onward route is along the easy bridleway, heading south. The main distraction on this path is the fantastic views on your right of the sea, Snowdonia and the Afon Clywedog valley.

Keep to the bridleway passing a large water storage tank until you come to a five bar gate where you take the small gate on your left that leads into the forest. This pleasant path gradually climbs up to a car-park (Grid ref 139668). From this car park you can see your climb on the left up to Moel Arthur. Your reward on reaching the top is the remains of a fort and the excellent views.

Make your way down the path from the summit to the road and car park. Cross over the road and then go straight up the very steep path - not the gentle path skirting the hill to the left. Just think of the exercise! Reaching the top follow the Offa's Dyke Path along the ridge to Jubilee Tower on Moel Famau (554m). The tower, built to commemorate the 50th year of reign of George III, was never completed and was subsequently destroyed in a storm. It now provides shelter from the wind and exceptional views on a clear day embracing Snowdon, Cadair Idris, the North Wales coast, River Dee, the Lake District and the Isle of Man.

Take the steep path down from the tower to the northeast, which is to the left of your approach path. This path skirts woods on the right. You will come to a path direction finger post. Keep straight on down the very steep path. This levels off, passing a small reservoir on the right to reach a lane. At the road turn left then the next turning right which leads back to Cilcain and the start.

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.

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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