We return to Wrexham for a walk around Pandy and along the River Ceiriog, and it’s a welcome reunion with perhaps my favourite area of the county: the Ceiriog Valley.
“Pre-Amble”
You’ll be walking along well-defined tracks and paths for the most part. The first part of the walk follows the Nant Llechwedd -gywn before you climb to the Upper Ceiriog Way. The final part of the walk runs alongside the River Ceiriog.
You’ll definitely need ankle-high boots, as a couple of stretches are muddy after rain, and some uneven terrain would be hard on unsupported joints. The gates and single stile are well-maintained and free of nasty nettles and brambles.
The walk is 5 miles long and of moderate difficulty. The first half of the walk is pretty much all uphill although that does mean you get the corresponding downhill section in the second half! It should take you around 2½ to 3 hours. The total ascent is about 876 feet or about 267 metres, with the highest point being 1,433 feet or just over 435 metres.
| Walk length | 5 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate – steady climb for the first half of the walk |
| Approximate walk duration | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Total ascent | 876 feet or about 267 metres |
| Highest point | 1,433 feet or just over 435 metres |
The route is reasonably dog-friendly, although you do pass through several areas that contain sheep. The one stile had a dog-friendly sliding panel. There are also stretches along country lanes, so you need to keep your dog on the lead.
Starting Point
I started off in the small parking space opposite Pont-y-Meibion, just on from Pandy near Glyn Ceiriog (postcode: LL20 7HS; what3words.com/drumbeat.rehearsed.coconuts).
From Wrexham, take the A483 south to Chirk. Take the third exit at the Halton Roundabout onto the A5 and then take the first exit onto the B5070 at the Whitehurst Roundabout. Stay on this road through Chirk a short distance ahead. Go through Chirk until you see the church on your left at the end of the village. Turn right onto the B4500.
Carry on along the B4500 through Pontfadog, Dolywern, Glyn Ceiriog and the tiny hamlet of Pandy. Pont-y-Meibion is about 0.4 miles further on. You’ll see a group of buildings on the right with a parking area opposite next to a flag pole with a Welsh-style flag on it.
A Walk Around Pandy And Along The River Ceiriog is Love Wrexham’s fifth walk around the Ceiriog Valley area. Click here for more of our articles about this area.
Disclaimer
Important: Your safety is our top priority. Before attempting any of our walks, you must read and understand the disclaimer at love-wrexham.com/walk-disclaimer.
Walk Directions
Pont-y-Meibion
After parking up, face the buildings across the road and turn right. Walk down the road – take care as there is no pavement or proper grass verge – for a couple of minutes and turn right onto the lane (1).
Carry on along the lane for about three minutes. Cross the bridge over the Ceiriog and turn left almost straightaway onto the National-Trust-owned Glyn Valley Tramway (2). Walk along the now-disused tramway until you reach a wooden gate after about three to four minutes.
Turn right through the gate (3) and then right again so you’re walking parallel to the path you’ve just left but in the opposite direction.
You’ll find yourself on a grassy track with a dry stone wall on the right and a steep slope upwards on the left. The path is narrow and flanked by bracken and other vegetation. Take care with your footing as some of the stones may be slippery if it has rained.
After a few minutes, the path turns left as you pass a gate on your right. Climb the path for a short but steep ascent. The track levels out and you cross a small stream. Walk on a few paces and duck under a tree. You’re still following the dry stone wall on your right. Follow the path onto a lane. There’s a house on your right.
Llechwedd Gwyn
Turn left and follow the way for about a mile (4).
The road becomes a stony path with a grassy strip down the middle and you’ll see glimpses of a slate bed poking through the surface at times. You’ll pass several gates to your left and right and go through a couple as well, plus some recurring green metal drums on short stilts (not sure what they’re for!). Ignore the drive down to the right towards Llechwedd Gwyn.
After you’ve gone through the second gate, you’ll see a stream on your left on the other side of the fence. A few yards further on, you’ll arrive at a T-junction of paths. Turn right onto the Upper Ceiriog Way (5).
Walk along the slightly wider path than the one before, heading south south-west. Take a minute to appreciate the views on your right towards Glyn Ceiriog.
Carry on along the grassy path, pass a stile on your left and go through a gateway before turning right (6). Walk along the deeply rutted vehicle track with the broad grassy strip. You’ll pass a short black metal rectangular post on your right (there’s a small white rectangle on its other side). Shortly afterwards, you’ll pass another black metal rectangular post just before you get to two gateways.
A Walk Around Pandy And Along The River Ceiriog is one of the highest walks we have ever featured at over 1,430 feet.
Ceiriog Cycle Route
Go through the left gateway by the sign for the Ceiriog Cycle Route (7) and follow the path as it bends to the left by two more metal gates and a green metal public footpath signpost. You’ll go through a metal gate a few yards further on.
Carry on along the track for just over half a mile. You’ll come to a turning on your left with another Ceiriog Cycle Route sign. Ignore the turning and carry on.
After another half-mile, you’ll go through a metal gate by the Cefn y Braich farm buildings on your right (8). The stony track turns into a tarmacked lane.
A few yards further on, you’ll come to a junction next to a triangular green as a path from your left joins the one you’re on. Stay on the track you’ve been on as it bends round to the right.
You’ll see a white farmhouse with a light-grey barn to its right down to your left. The tarmacked lane turns into a stony path with two grassy strips running down the middle as you continue straight on. You’ll be on this path for just under half a mile.
“Hendre”
Pass the green metal footpath signpost on your right. You’ll see how a strip of concrete, maybe covering some kind of drainage channel, starts running down the path you’re on. It’s tempting to walk along this but be careful on the steeper parts of the path as the concrete can get quite slippery.
The stony path starts quite a steady descent. You’ll see how a slate bed appears underfoot at one point and how a couple of trees have formed an archway overhead.
A sign asking you to drive slowly is on your right, just before an attractive white cottage. The path you’ve been on is so rough and ready it would take quite a special vehicle to drive down it at a snail’s pace, never mind quickly!
Turn right straight after the cottage (9) and go through the gate marked “Hendre”.
Take a left turn and go through the metal kissing gate into the meadow with the River Ceiriog to the left (10). Turn right and walk for about a minute or so until you see another kissing gate up the bank on your right.
Dismantled Railway
Go through the gate and turn left. Walk along the path which seems to be some kind of dismantled railway judging by the edges of wooden sleepers that appear at times underfoot. You’ll be on this path for just over half a mile.
As you approach the half-mile mark, you’ll see a disused brick building with archways just before you reach a gate with a wooden stile to the right of it. There’s a sliding panel to allow dogs through next to the stile. Walk past the house to your left and go through the gate onto the lane.
You’re back on the lane you walked down at the beginning of the walk. Turn left over the bridge and retrace your steps back to the parking area.
Congratulations! You have finished the walk!
We hope you enjoyed A Walk Around Pandy And Along The River Ceiriog. Click here for more of our local walks.
