Today I’m walking up Moel Morfydd. A mountain that is part of the Llantysilio Mountain Range which is the backdrop to the village I live in, Bryneglwys. These mountains split Llangollen and Bryneglwys and can be seen while driving down the A5104. So I’ve always seen these mountains, but never been up them (Oh the shame!).

Approaching from Bryneglwys side of Moel Morfydd there is a handy carpark just has the start of the path. The views are already pretty breathtaking!

The walk is very steep in places and the path is cover in loose stones, so walking boots are a must! But the path is easy to follow. After a few breaks, including one for a paned and a butty, we reach the top, where you’ll find a stone pillar and panoramic views of Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Visit in Autumn for the Mountain in full bloom!

I’d recommend coming in at end of Summer when the heather flowers, the purples, pink and oranges decorate your path. There also “Llys” (I think they are called whimberry or Billberries in English) grown on the bushes, if you’ve never had them in a pie with apples you haven’t lived yet! So we picked some along the way and make a tarten when we got home.

We were even lucky enough to spot some wild grouse! (Luckily our Westie, Cassie was on a lead).

You can keep walking all 3 peaks to find the Ponderosa a Cafe on the edge of the Horseshoe Pass, this 7 mile round trip, which I have not yet attempted.

Historical Fact

Llantysilio Mountains were set on fire during the War to trick enemy aircraft into dropping their bombs onto the mountains instead of cities like Liverpool.

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I’m not a mountain walker these days my idea of a day out is done in the car. If you have an injury or a disability I think we can all agree that it’s nice to take in Wales’ breathtaking countryside from the comfort of your own vehicle. Below you will find my holidayIdea starting in Prestatyn, North Wales. I hope you enjoy it.

Needs List

Accessible. By Car.  Parking. History. Fantastic scenery, mythology, lunch, viewpoints and I didn’t want to travel out of the Flintshire. 

So a car ride it is then with this in mind that I heartily recommending this splendid jaunt around Denbighshire.

1.Roman Civilian Bath House, Melyd Ave.

You can find Archaeological information here

I start at the Roman Baths in Prestatyn, which those of a inquisitive disposition regarding all things historical may like to take a look around.

A could park on the road next to the site, its not sign posted very well so keep your eyes peel.  What a wonderful site, thanks goes to those who look after it. The bath-house was built in about AD 120 and extended in about AD 150 and, according to Chester Walls, had a cold plunge-bath at the far end which was fed by a local spring by means of a timber aqueduct. 

2.The Roman hat

Head up the hill to the Roman Helmet (the giant bronze sculpture depicting the Romans in Prestatyn). You can have little walk around it too (Park outside it).

3. Gwaenysgor Hill – View Point 

What a drive up to Gwaenysgor Hill and those incredible views. Yes, you could cycle it if you wanted, but I didn’t (wouldn’t) for this idea. You would have to be a fairly hardcore cyclist (we’re talking Geraint Thomas level) to have a crack at Gwaenysgor Hill. 

It’s the steepest in all of Flintshire and although the view at the top over the Irish Sea is absolutely spectacular. The View point has parking so you don’t have to get out of your car if you didn’t want to.  I did, a few steps to the dry stone wall to take it all in. This is also a walking path of the Offas Dyke Path too.

4. Lunch stop

Once I’d got to the top, I was feeling a little thirsty and stopped for some pub lunch at the The Eagle and Child. It is just a stone throw away from the view point. I sat in the beer garden its beautiful.  

5. Next stop: GOP Hill

So now, having conquered the steepest hill in Flintshire, a spot of lunch its was time for me to see this legendary GOP Hill in Dyserth. Its a bout a 10 minute drive from the pub.

Rumour has it that Boudica (or Buddug), the queen of the British Celtic Iceni tribe who led an uprising against the conquering forces of the Roman Empire in AD 60 or 61, fought her last battle here and is buried underneath.

Regardless of whether you believe that or not, GOP Hill is the second biggest burial mound in the UK, with recent archeological digs uncovering several bodies, and well worth a visit – if you can’t make it up the hill itself, it’s worth stopping the car to take a look.

I didn’t walk up to it as it takes 20 minutes from the car park but I could see it. I always wondered what the big mound was on the hill. I’m impressed. 

6. Drive through Dyserth all then way to the round about and take a left and you’ll make it to Maen Achwyfaen, an enormous stone cross standing on a five-way cross road – west of Whitford, east of Offa’s Dyke and close to a row of at least four barrows and of huge interest both to megalithic scholars and anyone of a historical inclination. The little sign says they don’t really know of its origins but I think its a burial stone for an important Viking. You can park outside here too but its in a field and you can’t see the stone as the trees are in the way, a very short walk in the field to see it is needed. 

7. Dyserth Falls

Once you’ve had a good look at Maen Achwyfaen, it’s just a 15-minute drive towards the Rhyl direction it takes me 10 minutes to get to the these beautiful falls. There is a place to park and a place to sit at the falls, I watched the world go by. Dyserth Falls is beautiful,  unspoilt, and I must see place. I wasn’t up for the walk I just wanted to sit in the little park and hear the waterfall, bliss.

A nice way to finish the day. Plus theres a pub across the way too. Wink wink. 

Ray Worsnop Rhyl. 

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