LLANGOLLEN - 4th January 2026

 

Well what a fabulous day for walking in the mountains!!! Snow, snow and more snow as the day progressed. However the forecast for the white stuff caused massive logistical problems on the day before the walk. Saturday was spent by Stuart sorting out things to avoid the Horseshoe Pass because of the adverse weather conditions.

An alternate route to Llangollen via the A483 and A5 was selected as safe and suitable, a route that has been used by the Club before.

Howard Fraser and driver Gerry were happy with this option, and so it went ahead.

All leaders were asked to submit revised walk plans by 5pm Saturday, which were then sent out to all members who had booked seats.

Most members when boarding the coach had managed to read the emails, but those who had not been able to had some hasty decisions to make!

It all went really well for everyone, and a great day was had with light and moderately heavy snow at times, along with spells of fantastic sunshine.

All in all a wonderful day which was rounded off with enough time to spend in the numerous excellent pubs and cafes in Llangollen.

For Paul’s group the hastily put-together revised plan involved a steep start to the castle Dinas Bran, but whilst wintry conditions were expected, so much snow at low levels was not expected, and this was also lying on ice. Those people who had microspikes welcomed the security they provided on the slippery upper slopes. Unfortunately the view from the top was non-existent as heavy snowfall started and the group was in the cloud. The walk proceeded as planned and it was beautiful to be walking through the snow-covered trees, and the sun even came out later in the day. What a great day!

Stu’s group began in Llangollen, leaving the coach in slushy snow-covered pavements, with John and Stu being joined by Jason, Julie and Andy, who had all originally opted for Ian's walk.

Leaving the streets of Llangollen after crossing the magnificent River Dee Bridge, they climbed steadily towards Castell Dinas Bran, the snow becoming thicker all the time, so that as they reached the ruins they were in almost a full blizzard, as the photos show.  Photos taken, they descended from the opposite side of the castle, down a steep path to reach Offa's Dyke Path. They met Mike Carr's group coming the other way having started from Froncysyllte and crossing the aqueduct. Joining part of the disused railway path, they reached Trevor to explore the fascinating little canal basins there, where dozens of narrowboats were moored, some with smoke rolling lazily from chimneys into the still winter air.  Next came a walk across the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, opened in 1805, to the far end and back, offering more opportunities for great photos.

They crossed in beautiful sunshine and after a brief pause, returned in a minor blizzard! However the warm log fire and welcoming lounges in the Thomas Telford Inn at the Trevor end, made a great lunch stop. The staff were all so kind, and they wished they could have stayed a bit longer.

Leaving Trevor, they followed the canal towpath all the way back to LLangollen, very scenic with views back to the aqueduct itself and across the beautiful Vale of Llangollen, and eventually looking up to Castell Dinas Bran still shrouded in snowy mist.

Leaving the canal, which incidentally began life purely as a navigational water feeder from the river Dee at Horseshoe Falls, they dropped down into the snow covered streets of Llangollen, and to the  coach where they changed into dry shoes, before going to find refreshments in the lovely town.

On leaving the coach at Froncysyllte, Keith's group were immediately confronted with the trials of the day's weather conditions with a steep, icy road leading down to the canal path. After a little slipping and sliding and some very careful foot placement, they soon reached the fabulous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct which looked stunning in its full winter condition. The walk took the group through snow covered forests before opening up to moorland on the ascent to Eglwyseg Mountain and Ruabon Mountain. The depth of snow ranged from just an inch, to knee deep, whilst averaging about a foot deep. Although great fun, the soft snow slowed the group down with all members commenting on using muscles they didn't know existed. As the group approached the summit, they got a severe battering from a snow storm before the cloud broke up and the sun shone through. A beautiful winter vista appeared in all directions with snow covered peaks and sunken valleys shimmering in the sunlight. A view to never forget!  The ascent was made by heading to the Panorama Walk where clouds reappeared and thick snow began to fall once again. At this point it was decided there was no reason to visit Castell Dinas Bran as they had already seen it from above. It was lovely to see so many families out enjoying the snow as they made their way to Llangollen. 13 miles and 2000ft ascent completed in what can only be described as a perfect winter walking day. Definitely one to remember!

A little bit of sun for the start of Clare’s shortened walk with Sue and the Davids Williams and Southeard. Fifteen minutes along the towpath it all changed, as the snow was delivered by the bucketful, and by the time the Abbey was reached a good few inches of fresh snow had fallen. An abbey building with a roof and bench helped make the decision for an early 1st lunch stop under cover before heading out to explore the conditions and decide which of the 2 route options to follow. With intermittent low cloud cover and snow they opted for a climb over Coed Hyrddrn (Velvet Hill) which turned out to be a good choice. A weather window of no snow, good visibility and blue skies provided unexpectedly extensive views in all directions from a relatively little hill. Heading down to the River Dee and a short detour to the slightly underwhelming Horseshoe Falls before it was time for a 2nd lunch under the cover of the closed Chain Bridge Hotel with views of the Chain Bridge, Berwyn Station, the bridges and the Dee. The last hour was an exploration of paths to the south of the river through Inman’s Wood, a route not previously walked by any of the group and turned out to be far more interesting than the towpath. A final walk along the river into Llandudno and some welcome refreshments in the Bridge End Pub. A short and generally leisurely walk at 8.5mls, the 1930ft of ascent on a changeable day kept things interesting.

It was just Pat & Steph on their walk and their usual companions missed a treat. The walk was from Llangollen along the towpath to the Horseshoe Falls. It was lovely walking through the fresh snow.

One point of interest on the way was a motorist who had driven along the path and was trying to make a sharp turn over a humpback bridge, but the car didn't want to go. After trying to help by giving the car a push and offering sympathy they carried on with their walk to the falls.

After deciding not to visit the Abbey because of the conditions they returned to Llangollen along the towpath and guess what, the car was still there. It was a magical day.

Mike C's group started on the A5 at Froncysyllte and crossed the aqueduct to join Offa's Dyke Path to Castell Dinas Bran for lunch. They continued north on the Llangollen History Path to Ty Newydd before returning to Llangollen via ODP. Mike walked with Ken, Monica and Michelle.

Thanks to all of the leaders - Paul, Keith, Clare V, Mike C, Pat & Steph and Stu - for managing to guide their charges through the, at times, hazardous conditions. And also for providing the Blog with such brilliant accounts of their walks. For those of us who weren't there, it now feels like we were!!! Fabulous.

And thanks also to the many photographers - Karen, Pam B, Pam T, Dawn, Neil O, Claire, Ray, Nancy, Mike C, Michelle, Monika, Clare, Dave, Pat, Stu & Jason!!! Phew. I think that there have been a record number of photos displayed on this Blog, and they were all both stunning and memorable.

Click HERE to open the album.

Next Walks:

Sunday 18^th January 2026 - Settle

5.00 p.m. departure

Northbound to Preston, on to the M65, M65 eastbound to junction 7, via A6185/A678 to the A680, A671 to roundabout N of Whalley, A59 to Gisburn, A682/A65/B6480 to Settle. Park in Settle. Morning coffee stop at Darwen services, M65.

Sunday 1^st February 2026 – Grasmere

5.00 p.m. departure

Northbound to Preston, M6 north to junction 36, A590/A591 though Ambleside and on to Grasmere. Park in Grasmere.  Morning coffee stop at Burton services.

Sunday 15^th February 2026 - Threlkeld via St Johns in the Vale

5.00 p.m. departure

Northbound to Preston, M6 north to junction 36, A591 through Windermere and Ambleside to Stanah, B5322 through St John’s in the Vale to Threlkeld. Park in Threlkeld. Morning coffee stop at Burton services.