Where
is it? The walk starts and stops at the village of Cilcain,
Flintshire
How long will it take ? : Approximately 4 to 5 hr
What's the attraction? : Beautiful views of the Vale of Clwyd
and views toward Snowdonia.
Essentials : Stout footwear.
Rating : Moderate, but the stretches to the top of Moel Famau
and Moel Arthur are steep.
Car Parking : Car Parking is scarce in the village of Cilcain.
There is a Car Park but for residents only. However Flintshire Council
have it sorted! Follow the lane past the Church (uphill) for a short
way and you will find two large parking places (yellow pushpin). Return
to the Church to start the walk.
Facilities : Nice Pub in the village but check the opening
hours before you start off or you may be disappointed if relying on
refreshments at the finish.
Directions : [ Map
of Moel Famau to Moel Arthur Walk location ]
Leave the A55 at Junction 31 near Holywell. Take the B 5122 to
Caerwys. Continue to Afonwen junction and bear left along the
A541 toward Nannerch. Ignore the sign to Nannerch and carry on
along the A541 for approx. 2km. Look out for the sign to Cilcain
and bear right down the road to Cilcain. |
 |
Lets Go !
The
walk starts at the church of St Mary's in the village of Cilcain (red
pushpin).Take the narrow lane to the west of the church. Continue downhill
to the crossroads, go straight across the crossroads entering the lane
to Tyddyn-y-foel. After a few yards turn right crossing an interesting
stone stile. Your destination Moel Famau can be seen in the distance.
Follow the way markers across two fields to a track. Bear left and then
immediately right along another track. Follow the track past a small
reservoir and you come to a clump of lazy trees alongside the path. Well
they're not really lazy trees, but the branches grow down to the ground
before growing upwards and outwards and they look lazy.
Continue along the track upwards and onwards to the top of Moel Famau
eventually passing a coniferous plantation on your left. Take time to
enjoy the fine views of Flintshire, toward the Wirral and the Cheshire
Plain on the final part of the ascent.
On reaching the summit of Moel Famau you will see the Jubilee Tower,
or what is left of it, it's a bit of an eyesore but the parapet walls
afford shelter from the westerly winds while enjoying the views over
the Vale of Clwyd. Look north and south to view the Clwydian Range of
hills ... the northern section of the Offa's Dyke Path that wends it's
way from Chepstow to Prestatyn.
Having enjoyed the view head north west following the Offa's Dyke way
markers to Moel Arthur. You now have a pleasant 2.5 mile, 4 km, section
of ridge to walk with just a few small climbs over Moel Dywyll and Moel
Llys-y-Coed. In the distance you will see a small peak that looks disconcertingly
like Moel Arthur, but fear not. Moel Arthur is not quite so far away,
.... being slightly smaller it is hidden from view by Moel Llys-y-Coed.
On reaching the long flat summit of Moel Llys-y-Coed you will have plenty
of time to decide whether to include Moel Arthur in your trip.
Take care on the steep descent to the lay by and road that separates
the two hills. Pass through the kissing-gates and follow the track to
the top of Moel Famau, (diverting from the Off'a Dyke Path). Take the
same path to descend Moel Arthur, and bear left on returning to the
road.
Alternatively cut out the climb to Moel Arthur and bear right down the
lane to return to Cilcain.
After 200 yards bear right, keeping the woodland to your left, and follow
another track until eventually reaching a cross roads. Go straight across
and follow the lane downhill toward Cilcain and your car. The village
pub is just a few hundred yards past the Car Park.
