Moel y Gaer (centre and nearer) and Moel y Gamelin from Moel Morfydd (AKA Llantysilio Mountain)
Looking for inspiration for a day in the hills, I came across Llantysilio Mountain, which seemed to fit the bill. For one thing, it’s in the area covered by NEWSAR (North East Wales Search And Rescue) the mountain rescue team I recently joined – although I know Snowdonia fairly well, most of NEWSAR’s area is new to me, so it was a bit of a recce. It’s also good to try out some new hills, and the contour lines on the map suggested an interesting ‘up and down’ ridge.
Old drove road heading west from Rhewl
Still on the drove road – can’t see the wood for the trees!
Out of the trees at last, and things were starting to look hilly
The heights of the peaks told a slightly different tale – they were mostly between 500 and 570 metres in height, hardly earth shattering stuff! However, size isn’t everything as the saying goes, so I presented the idea to Chris – she agreed and the dog abstained, so it looked like the trip was on. First of all, though, we had to get to our hills.
Heading upwards to our first hill, Moel Morfydd
Gaining altitude ….
…. on a gradually ascending track ….
…. with views down to the Vale of Llangollen
We started out at Rhewl near Llangollen, on an ancient drove road that gained height gradually – drovers weren’t stupid, and generally looked for an easy way. We eventually left the trees and farmland behind and took a track heading round the flank of our first top, Moel Morfydd. The track dropped us neatly on to a ridgeline where things began to get steeper.
Heading up the final slopes of Moel Morfydd
The summit at last, and look who got there first!
The summit trig column – usually a good sign
Off again, with Moel y Gaer next on the list
The final slopes to the summit of Moel Morfydd were steep enough to eliminate idle chatter, but the top was suitably crowned with a survey trig point. I always think this to be good sign, because at least the surveyors must have thought it was worth the effort. ‘Mist’ was first to the top as usual, but had been using her advantages of 4×4 traction and a good power/weight ratio – we dragged ourselves up behind her. The summit gave great views of the next section of the walk over Moel y Gaer and Moel y Gamelin.
After the lunch break, on to Moel y Gaer
Looking back to Moel Morfydd in the distance, with an un-named top between
Chris on the faint remains of an Iron Age hut platform on Moel y Gaer
Our last peak, Moel y Gamelin – with the ‘chicken run’ path heading down and right
On the way to Moel y Gaer Chris voted for a lunch break – again, the dog abstained, but I suspected that she was secretly in agreement with Chris. We stopped briefly, and in so doing realised how cold it was – a brisk wind must have pushed the wind-chill temperature below 0º Celsius. We carried on to Moel y Gaer, the site of an Iron Age hillfort about 2½ thousand years old, but by now Chris was feeling the cold. Heading for the next peak I saw that we could chicken out by following a good track to the right.
Looking back up the ‘Clwydian Way’ track
Heading down the Clwydian way towards the valley
Looking back to our outward route ….
…. and almost back in the valley
So chicken out we did! It was a sensible thing to do as Chris was about to reach the point where it wasn’t fun any more, so we followed the Clwydian Way back to the valley – further north the ‘Way’ runs near to our house, where it is usually something like a swamp, but this section was well drained and the going was good – faster progress and shelter from the wind soon brought about re-warming. As a consolation prize, I suggested a visit to the pub marked on the map. Alas, the Sun Inn was no more, with the doors firmly bolted. Oh well, you can’t win ‘em all.
The Sun Inn near Rhewl, now apparently closed for business
Text and images © Paul Shorrock
p.s. Just back from a great day out in the Lake District, with loads of snow! On the menu was Helvellyn via Swirral Edge and Striding Edge, so you can probably guess what will be featured in next weeks blog – see you there!
Paul Shorrock - One Man's Mountains AKA One Pillock's Hillocks 
One of the best things about seeing a trig point are.. well, that you can see anything at all when you get to the top!
Great views again – the sunshine belies the cold. Looks like Chris’ little ploy backfired though with the pub closed 😉
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It’s sad to see so many country pubs going out of business – I’m on a bit of a mission to help them out by being a regular customer 😉
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R is on a one-man crusade…
Looking forward to your next blog – we drove past Helvellyn on Saturday on our way back from ‘o’ training on Summerhouse Knott. Not quite in the same league.
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Tell R it’s a crap job but someone has to do it … 😀
It put a lot more snow down on Saturday night, so all our efforts trail-breaking up Swirral Edge would have been well covered over by Sunday.
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Looks like a really nice area for rolling hills and views. Never walked there, although it’s not that far away.
Nice to see blue skies and sun – I’m ready for spring now, but it’s not happening!
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It’s great hill country round Llangollen, and I was completely unaware that it existed until a year ago.
As for the weather, I was on Helvellyn on Saturday (next weeks blog 🙂 ) and there had been a huge dump of snow over night – very alpine! I drove home over Kirkstone, leaving my mates watching the Wales-England game, and the road was completely clear of snow – the next morning my mates had to go home via Penrith with Kirkstone snowbound! Winter hasn’t finished with us yet – I think I’ll keep my skis handy just in case 🙂
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welcome to our side of the playground Paul ^_^
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Hey, it’s good isn’t it !! We’ve still got loads to go at, but plenty of time to do it 🙂
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That Vale of Llangollen shot is absolutely spectacular! It’s looks like it belongs in a film or something (perhaps The Hobbit?).
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I should have gone for a panorama shot Lance, but I don’t think it would have done the view full justice.
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That looks like a very enjoyable ridge to walk on a fine day. Good weather too except for the wind chill. An area I have never explored although Llangollen is a familiar point on the A5 route to Snowdonia. We live 1/4 mile off the A5 in Northants. I’m looking forward already to next weeks post!
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I think a return trip to Llantysilio is on the cards when (if) it gets warmer – it would be a good ridge to dawdle over.
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weird trees in the valley and all walk gorgeous!
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Yes those trees really do look weird, don’t they. 🙂
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I’ve seen similar trees – they were formed (bend) by gently moving dune of sand
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Yeah, there is a lot of snow in the Lakes – I just had to turn back on my old fave Skiddaw – I was with Richard and would probably have continued on my own but it wasn’t going well… look out for a write-up on it probably…
Nice to see some non-snowy hills – I’m getting a bit fed up of the snow now – although it sounds like it was just as cold down there. I’m getting very fed up of being cold now – where’s the spring?
Haven’t done any of those hills but they look nice walking and it’s great to see good paths everywhere. I’m a huge fan of a decent path!
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This is an area to add to your ‘wish list’ Carol – I’ve just scratched the surface so far!
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Looks wonderful Paul…wish I was there!
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Yes, so much to do, so little time to do it ……
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Looks a good one! I love the mountains but its hard to beat one of these green lane/drovers path etc gradually winding up a mid level hill. Gives you a chance to take it the views (and catch your breath) This month I think!!
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You would enjoy the walking there Mark – I’m still trying to find time for a return visit!
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Another part of North Wales I don’t know about.. I have a growing list of places as read on your blog Paul 🙂
That said, heading to Moel Siabod for a walk with a couple of friends in a few weeks – and just spotted your write up (will be reading that in a minute..)
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Hope you have a good day Mark 🙂
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North Wales is literally tiny but there seems to be no end of hills you can do.. im trying to think of ones yuo havent done.. oh, i know! Moelfre Isaf and Moelfre Uchaf near abergele are pretty good.
not far from you?
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Very close Matt – and not done yet!
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