Tagged by "limestone"
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Nercwys Mountain & Bryn Alyn
(route)
Takes about 3 hours at a moderate to brisk pace, one steep climb of about 100m ascent. Mixed scenery including forest, open hillside, limestone cliffs, and remnants of industrial relics.
Start from the Forestry commission car park on the north side of Nercwys Mountain Forestry (SJ218593). Head south, taking the left fork for the clockwise circular trail. Walk through the forest for about 1km until you rejoin the main forest track. Go straight on here and then left after 50m, joining a section of the anti-clockwise circular trail. This takes you uphill to the view point - admire the fine easterly views across the Cheshire plain. Continue down the path, turning right when you meet the forest track again, to take you to the small north forestry car park. Turn right onto the road, then after 150m bear left onto a muddy track. This takes you across a rough field (the path is not obvious but you are heading for a stile at the far corner of the field). You will see a very large new house in front. Follow the footpath southwards across a couple of fields, with a small lake on your right. When you come to the road, look left to see a tall stone chimney - this is an old lime kiln, used to bake limestone before spreading on the fields. Turn right onto the road and then after 150m bear left onto a track known locally as Bog Lane. Follow the lane for about 800m, noting the limestone outcrops on the hillside to your left. Cross over the road and continue on the track passing a white house on your right; there is usually a classic car or two parked outside here. At the tall white stone walk down to your left and look into the old quarry to see a deep blue-green lake. Re-join the path and continue through the area known as White Sands (note some remains of old works on your right), and continue on to the track ahead. Cross the next road (noting another lime kiln on your right) to find a path ahead and slightly to the left. This path is sometimes overgrown but not too hard to follow. Follow this path in a westerly direction for about 500m (passing through a garden at one point - don't worry it is a public right of way, just make sure you close the gates) until you come out onto a small road. Turn right and follow the road until it comes to an end, where you join a path continuing north. Go straight across when you meet a rough track and keep following the path which will bring you onto another small road. Turn right here and walk along the road until you come to a stile on the right signposted for Bryn Alyn. Go over the stile and commence the ascent to Bryn Alyn. Take your time on the climb by stopping to turn back and admire the developing westerly views across the Alyn Valley to the Clwydian Hills beyond. At the top of the wood go over a stile and continue the climb upwards - you are now in the beautiful limestone country of Bryn Alyn. Rest at the top of the cliffs (which look like a mini Malham Cove) and admire the fine westerly views. Continue on the path heading east through a gate and onto a track which eventually leads you to the Nercwys-Eryrys road. Turn left for 20m, then cross over and take the path continuing east past a farm. Cross a couple of fields then stay on the path as it bears left towards the forestry once more. Go over the stile into the forest, and if you're walking on a hot day enjoy the cool of trees for a few minutes. Continue on the path and you will emerge into a small clearing by the remains of the East Pant Du lead mines. From here follow the circular trail clockwise (where the path splits just after mine remains take the right fork) back the forest track. Turn left onto the track back to the car park.
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Easegill 1
(route)
A rough walk up Easegill, via fascinating limestone scenery, up to Great Combe, then a long grassy (boggy in places) ridge walk to Gragareth & back down.
