Llangollen Walking Weekend
Our Llangollen walking weekend includes amazing sites and scenery not least the world renowned Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Thomas Telford’s Llangollen Horseshoe Falls and the lofty views from Castell Dinas Bran overlooking Llangollen.
In terms of walking grade, the walks are graded leisurely to moderate so we’ll be staying relatively low but even if you usually like going high in the mountains, the walks on this weekend are hidden gems which you’ll find packed with interest and rewarding scenery. Plus, Llangollen makes for an enjoyable social evening out.
Highlights
- Walking alongside the famous Llangollen canal and Horseshoe Falls
- Visiting the iconic Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
- Limestone escarpment
- Castle ruins of Castell Dinas Bran
- Stunning scenery
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Accommodation for this tour is not included. For accommodation information and all essential tour information please click on the ‘Trip Notes’ tab.
Additional information
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Friday – (Optional) Welcome Evening
Friday Welcome Evening (optional) is 8.30pm at The Corn Mill Inn, Llangollen. It’s a chance for everyone on the weekend to meet and the Country Adventures tour leader will be on hand to answer any questions about the planned walks. If you’re unable to make it to the Welcome Evening, the booking confirmation will detail everything you need to know about the weekend.
Saturday - Walk Day
Grade 2 walk – Llangollen Horseshoe 8.5 miles (13.6km), with 1450 ft (442m) of ascent
Starting from the centre of Llangollen, todays walk is a rewarding walk with fine views of Llangollen and the surrounding landscape on mainly good paths. The walk gently rises out of Llangollen centre and levels out offering good views before descending to Berwyn Station on the Llangollen Steam railway line where we then pick up a lovely but short section of the canal tow path to the well-known Horseshoe Falls. The route takes us into scenic countryside, a couple of gentle uphill sections but well worth it. The walk reaches the ruin of a Cistercian Abbey now under the care of the National Trust and is a good place for a pit stop. The walk continues re-joining the Llangollen canal tow path back into Llangollen via Llangollen Wharf.
In the evening, an optional social evening is planned in the centre of Llangollen, where the group can meet up for a drink and enjoy an evening meal together.
Sunday - Walk Day & Departure Day
Grade 2 walk – Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Castell Dinas Bran 7.5 miles (12km), with 1800ft (549m) of ascent
Country Adventures transport will take us from the centre of Llangollen to the start of todays walk just outside Froncysyllte as we walk along the canal towpath in the direction of the world renowned Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, or ‘stream in the sky’ as it is otherwise known. We’ll walk across Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, so please have your camera with you, as the view is something else.
The route then continues on to a superb limestone escarpment with extensive views over the Vale of Llangollen and a wonderful spot to stop and have some lunch. The final highlight of todays walk leads us up on to the castle ruins of Castell Dinas Bran which stands overlooking Llangollen.
The walk, and weekend, will finish in Llangollen between 3-4pm
Essential Info
Accommodation
Accommodation is not included as part of this tour. If you require help with booking accommodation you may find the following links useful:
Llangollen.com accommodation listings
Llangollen Tourist Information Centre Telephone 01978 860828
Booking.com search for accommodation in Llangollen, Clwyd
We recommend booking accommodation in, or near to, Llangollen for easy reach to the meeting point for both the walks and social evenings.
Food & Drink
For the walk(s) please bring with you a packed lunch and refreshments. Occasionally on some guided walks (Grade 1 to 2 walks) we may pass a country inn or tea room where if we have time we can call in, however having a packed lunch with you gives the group the freedom to have lunch wherever we are on the walking route.
On Saturday evening, an optional social evening in Llangollen is organised by Country Adventures, where the group can meet up for a drink and enjoy an evening meal together.
Transport
For guided walking tours that require transport from the meeting point to the start of the walk, we use a minibus or where necessary local transport. There is no extra charge for this, it is included in the tour price.
Fitness Levels
Our walks are by no means designed to be endurance tests where everyone sets off at a blistering pace. Far from it, it’s about a fine day in the hills in good company enjoying the best of fell walking with exceptional views but it is important to state that for everyone’s walking enjoyment walking does require a minimum level of fitness and stamina. Hill / Mountain walking experience is not essential as long as you have a reasonable level of fitness. For the higher level graded walks (i.e. Challenging Grade) it is advisable that you are someone who enjoys regular cardio exercise or have experience of mountain walking and have the stamina/ leg strength in order to be better prepared for longer sections of uphill & downhill walking associated with higher mountain treks.
Walking Grades Explained
Grade 1 (Leisurely) Normally 5-8 miles, may include gentle ascents and descents of up to a total 1100ft of ascent and similar descent over a day’s walk. Easier scenic walking at lower altitudes along paths and tracks.
Grade 2 (Moderate) Normally 6-10 miles on paths and tracks, between 800ft – 1700ft of total ascent and similar descent. Longer walks, on hills and moorland.
Grade 3 (Moderate Mountain) Normally ranging from 6-10 miles, between 1700ft – 2600ft of ascent, similar descent. Longer walks, over higher ground with possibly steeper ups and downs on paths and tracks.
Grade 4 (Challenging) Normally ranging from 8-13 miles, between 1500ft – 3000+ft of ascent, similar descent, over undulating mountain terrain, walking at higher levels with steep ups and downs. Suitable for people with a good level of fitness.
Kit List
What you need to bring with you for the walks
- Good, comfortable walking boots with a cleated sole and good ankle support are essential.
- Waterproof jacket and over-trousers.
- Warm, dry walking clothing. Unsuitable clothing includes Jeans or cotton tracksuit bottoms and cotton t-shirts (cotton is a poor insulating fabric and when wet it takes a long time to dry, which can lead to a rapid loss of body heat as well as being uncomfortable).
- A number of thin layers are better than one thick/ heavy jumper. We suggest a fleece for extra warmth especially when we stop on the hills for lunch.
- Hat and gloves (even in summer – any wind chill on the mountain tops will lead to cooler temperatures).
- Sunglasses, sun cream.
- Hot or cold drinks (i.e. a minimum of 2 litres of water).
- Plenty of food and drink for lunch and snacks.
- A rucksack large enough to carry it all in (20-30 litres), ideally with a waterproof liner.
- Any medication you need.
- Thermos flask. We recommend bringing warm drinks with you, as even on sunny days it can occasionally feel cooler, especially on the summits of the higher-level mountain walks.
- Walking poles (if you use them).
We want you to enjoy your time with Country Adventures and have the best possible adventure experience. Please be aware that if any participants are not properly equipped for the walk (i.e. with walking boots and waterproofs), at the guide’s discretion we reserve the right to not allow them on the walk for reasons of safety for both the individual and the group. If you need clarification any of the equipment requirements, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Tour Schedule & Activity Meeting Times
Please ensure you give yourself plenty of time to get to the meeting point at the required time. The transport for our day walks will leave promptly at the stated time and due to the nature of scheduled tours, we are unable to provide refunds if unfortunately, you miss the departure time.
Meeting Point
Please meet outside The Corn Mill Inn at 9.30am for the start of each days walk.
Address: The Corn Mill Inn, Dee Lane, Llangollen, LL20 8PN
Tour Reviews
A fabulous weekend in Llangollen, excellent and varied walks devised by tour leader Joe. Great fun, nothing too much trouble and Joe even arranged great weather for us too! Next trip already booked and looking forward to it. Thanks for a great weekend.
Alison and Rohan
Joe, another amazing holiday weekend! This was my second trip with you this year and I have already booked my third. I’m telling everyone I know how great your trips are. Thank you so much.
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