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NOTES FOR ORGANISERS
A 20 mile circular "anytime challenge walk" on and around the Offa’s Dyke National Trail, ideal for beginners to long distance walking and group expeditions; with several "evacuation" points, great views, a bit of map-reading and compass work, easy car-parking, toilets, etc. Especially suitable for group expeditions etc. as it is easy to marshall.
The entire route is on OS Sheet 116 (1:50000) and on OS Sheet 772 (1:25000). One of these should be carried, in addition to warm and waterproof clothing and adequate provisions. The weather can change very quickly. In summer it is wise to carry a good supply of liquid.
The walk can start at several places, but the route description begins at the Moel Famau Car Park (free) on the Bwlch Penbarra road at GR 161605. Snacks often available in the summer. Toilets at LOWER Car Park only.
 | ROUTE: |
| cum. miles approx | |
| 1. | Moel Famau Car Park | GR161605 | ||
| 2. | Road at Fron Haul | GR138633 | 3.5 | |
| 3. | Road at Moel Arthur | GR146657 | 5.5 | |
| 4. | Road | GR131664 | 8.0 | |
| 5. | near TV mast | GR121689 | 9.75 | |
| 6. | Road | GR139668 | 11.75 | |
| 7. | Road at Moel Arthur again | GR146657 | 12.25 | |
| 8. | Pedair Groesffordd | GR166653 | 14.0 | |
| 9. | Lower Car Park | GR172611 | 19.5 | |
| 10. | Moel Famau Car Park | GR161605 | 20 miles |
POSSIBLE CHECKPOINTS: There are good car parks at 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, and 10.
Since the road at Moel Arthur is visited twice, it would be sensible to have a
main checkpoint there.
EVACUATION ROUTES: All the above can be reached by car.
TOURIST INFORMATION on 01824 703 992.
CERTIFICATE (50p plus 9" x 6" SAE) and/or woven BADGE (£1.50 plus SAE) available from
Michael Skuse, Caenant, Llangynhafal, Ruthin, Denbs., LL15 1RU (who also welcomes your comments on the route).
Abbreviations: FP=public footpath; ODP=Offa' Dyke National Trail with Acorn waymarks; m=metres; L=left; R=right; GR=Grid reference; WNW,SE,etc=points of compass.
START AND FINISH : Free car-park at Bwlch Penbarra GR161605.
Leave the car park NW on the ODP. Continue to top of Moel Famau. Continue WNW on ODP steeply down to where the path flattens out about 600m from the summit. Turn L here on indistinct track, follow round to the R, and descend the hill, keeping to right forks when in doubt, to GR142627. Turn R with wall/fence on L and open hillside on R. Continue for about 800 metres and then through gate. Cross road GR138633 [3.5 miles].
Over stile, and follow FP signs over stream. Keep fence on L. Straight on to ruined buildings where turn R uphill and go through first gate on L. Bear R up hill keeping fence on R. Through gate, continue with wall on L. Through gate past more ruins. Fence on L. Over stream and L through gate. Follow contour of hill to improving path, then track. Fence on L. Continue round the side of the hill to meet minor road. Turn R up road, which becomes track, and continue uphill to GR146657 [5.5 miles].
Turn L (towards Vale of Ciwyd) and walk down road SW for about 600 metres. Turn R through gate. Follow good track round head of valley, keep to L fork when in doubt. Continue to road at GR13 1664 [8 miles].
Turn L on to road, round left hand bend, then in lOOm fork R on good track. Follow this track, through several gates, for about 2.5 miles, to GR121689 [9.75 miles], where several tracks/paths meet. Turn R to rejoin ODP here with pine trees on your L and walk SE over Penycloddiau to car park at GR139668. Turn R on road and shortly L to continue on ODP uphill, round Moel Arthur, to road at GR146657 [12.25 miles]. Turn L on road in NE direction and in 200m fork R through gate to good track. Continue for 1.5 miles to crossroads at GR166653 [14 miles].
Straight on and after 800m turn R through gate into field, just before house (no FP sign here). Keep hedge on L, through gate and downhill to road. Turn R on road and at junction turn R along unmetalled road. After 400m turn L past Cae Newydd, then straight on. Over stream and along deteriorating track, straight on to board walk. Over board walk, keep fence on L. Follow blue arrows (bridleway) over several stiles/gates, past Castell and two further houses on R, to road. Turn R. At Brithdir Mawr follow blue arrow. Cross stream/ford, then stile, and go due S across ford and field and stile to enter forest. Turn immediately L on forest road. After about 800m, turn L and continue on this forest road, round the side of the hill, eventually to the lower car park GR172611 [19.5 miles].
Leave car park by footbridge, past toilets and on to path marked "Bwlch Pen Baras" (Sic). Up hill parallel with road, to top car park and FINISH. [20 miles]
WELL DONE!