Tuesday 9th September 2025.
I checked the weather forecast for the Clwyd Valley and it was wall to wall sunshine. So decided that we would go high. We haven't been on mountain tops for quite some time.
Getting to the small car park below Moel Arthur is quite a challenge in itself being on "C" class roads, some in poor condition, not being able to see over hedges or what's coming around the next bend. Very few passing places and if you can't reverse very well, you would be buggered. But we got there.
There was only one car parked up.
Moel Arthur is 456 metres high and stands out prominently on the Clwydian Range of mountains. It is an Iron Age hill fort. And is about 5 miles east of Denbigh. Grid reference SJ 14529 66034.
The hill fort has double enclosures on the south east side and two large banks and ditches on the north side where the ground is less steep. All other sides are very steep. Offas Dyke skirts the mountain to the east crossing behind to the north.
There are numerous ways and paths you can take to get to the top depending on fitness and age. We decided because of my knee we would take the Offa's Dyke path which is less steep but slightly longer.
The path winds its way up through heather and gorse which today was full of yellow and purple colours. It is a gentle rising path that reaches the crest of the ridge at 420 metres. From there it's again a gentle rise to the summit.
The views are terrific but I wouldn't liked to have lived here in such an exposed position. Even today with the sun out it was cold and really windy. The photos don't really portray just how blowy it was.
Information board. Zoom in to read as necessary.
At the crest of the hill where onwards is Offa's path and our path goes to the left.
Looking south west towards Moel Arthur.
Looking North East towards Moel Plas -yw.
Tough at the top. Being blown over.
Snowdonia in the distance. Gloomy clouds.
Heather and Gorse on the way back down.
I don't have a drone so I borrowed this shot showing the Iron Age Fort from above. Courtesy of Deganwy History Group.
Down at the bottom we walked along the road a little bit to see if there were any water sources. Any running streams or springs, but we didn't see anything.
We left our rucksacks in the car as we knew it wouldn't be too long a trek. But for the next stage we took rucksacks.
It is a very steep climb to get up onto the top shoulder of Moel Llys-y-coed. I took it easy and watched every step I made. Surprisingly it wasn't as blowy here as it was on top of Moel Arthur which was only 16 metres higher.
Once on the top it is a good path and again part of Offa's Dyke. Good views were had.
I admit that in a former life I didn't regard Offa's Dyke as worth doing but I admit to being very wrong. It's not a piece of cake and we were now finding the undulations quite tiring. I'd say to anyone considering the walk not to under estimate how strenuous it can be.
We could see Moel Famau in the distance but as we got to Moel Dywyll I was struggling with my knee. Because I was trying not to put too much pressure on it I was transferring my weight onto my hip which didn't like it at all. I decided not to go on but turn back whilst I still could.
When we got back down to the car it was definitely the right decision. We sat on the bench and had lunch and watched a farmer gather a small flock of sheep. It's so good to watch the experts and especially the sheep dog.
Although today was a bit disappointing we still enjoyed the outing and being on the tops. We will do Famau hopefully another day.
Heading up the steep section of Moel Llys-y-coed. Moel Arthur in background.
Nearing the top. The picture doesn't reflect how steep it is. The small car park visible.
At the top with Moel Framau in the distance.
Selfie just before we turned back.
Watching the gathering, two quad bikes in the foreground, a sheepdog that you can't spot and a chap at the far end.
Todays route.
Oh yes, the wall to wall sunshine all day. It started raining about 2.00pm. So much for the forecast.
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