*Chirk, North Wales*
SATURDAY, 10th October 2026
Some useful information: Public toilets near to the Health Centre car park – free to use. Cafes and Pubs – Teddy Bears Tearoom, The Cake Kitchen, Castle Bistro & Tea Room, The Red Dragon Pub/Café, Stanton House Inn.
NOTE: ‘A’ WALKERS WILL LEAVE THE COACH BEFORE CHIRK, SO PLEASE BOOTS ON AND RUCKSACKS READY FOR A REASONABLY QUICK DISEMBARKATION
‘A’ (Strenuous) Leader: Carole Rankin
Distance: 9 miles
This is a linear walk so please be booted and ready with your rucksacks on the coach for a quick disembarking. No great height to this but a varied walk including canal and countryside paths, with a few interesting bits along the way. After the drop off at Newbridge on the B5605, we make our way through Ty Mawr Country Park, along the River Dee to, and across, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Then along the Llangollen Canal to Pentre where we join and follow Offa’s Dyke Path to Chirk Castle, Through Old Deer Park passing Chirk Castle Gates and on, walking through Chirk Tunnel – a torch is needed here. (There is an alternative route along the road if needed). Then onward to Chirk via the canal, Chirk Aqueduct and Chirk Bridge.
o———-0———-o
‘B’ (Moderate) Leader: Sue Davies
Distance: 6.75 miles. Total ascent 935 feet.
We start our walk from the car park in the Health Centre and head towards the War Memorial. Cross over the railway bridge, pass Canal Wood Industrial Estate and head into the woods. A short section of minor road, then some farmland and fields with stiles. Onto Offa’s Dyke Path and then Llwybr Maelor Way bringing us down to the River Ceiriog. We cross the river and head towards a very impressive Aqueduct and Viaduct. Uphill to a main road, cross over with care, bringing us out at Church Street with the cafes and pubs.
Stiles, gates, some steep slopes, side roads.
o———-o———-o
‘C’ (Easy) Leader: Kay Smith
Distance: 5 miles
From the car park (toilets) we follow a quiet road to follow an attractive stretch of the Llangollen Canal, leaving it at Rhoswiel. We then follow minor roads to Pont Faen Bridge over the River Ceiriog., along the river under an impressive viaduct and aqueduct to reach a road at Chirk Bridge. Here we join the canal again for a short stretch to walk over the aqueduct with impressive views of the valley beneath.
Here we have an option – we can leave the canal here and proceed back into town, or we can go through Darkie Tunnel coming out by the railway station for a short road walk into town. If you fancy the adventure through the tunnel, you will need a torch or your phone. Canal towpath, minor roads, field paths, all good going.
‘D’ (Easy Amble): Jackie Gudgeon
Distance: 2.5-3 miles
We leave the coach and head off into the Teddy Bear Tearoom for our refreshments A short walk along a quiet road brings us to the Llangollen branch of the Shropshire Union Canal where we soon cross over the 70ft high Chirk Aqueduct with wide views of the valley of the River Ceiriog below. We walk the attractive canal towpath for about a mile before following lane, woodland and field paths to rejoin the canal at Chirk Bridge to return to Chirk. All good underfoot, no stiles.
o———-o———-o
When available please make sure you read the notes on the walks carefully – they will help you to decide which walk will be the most suitable for you.
If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to ask the leader for advice. For the safety and enjoyment of yourself and others, please try not to join a walk which is beyond your capabilities.
Please respect the wishes of the walks leader and remain with the walk until the end. If you are struggling – inform the walk leader so that he/she can make a decision to shorten the walk, have more rest, etc
* Notes on the area *
The border town of Chirk stands on the escarpment above the point at which the rivers Ceiriog and Dee meet, and is situated between Wrexham and Oswestry.
The area’s main visitor attraction is Chirk Castle, a magnificent 700 year old motte and bailey marcher fortress built by King Edward I. Now owned by the National Trust, the castle is open to the public and has a shop and licenced tea room. Two families are associated with the town and its castle, the Trevor family of Brynkinallt and the Myddletons.
Another attraction in the area is a section of the Offa’s Dyke Path. Some of us will be walking on a part of the path today. The Parish Church of St Mary’s is a Grade I listed building. The current church building was begun during the 11th Century by the Normans, although it is believed that an older church, dedicated to St Tysilio, had existed on the site. Indeed, the current church was known by the dedication of St Tysilio until the late 15th or early 16th century, after which it was re-dedicated to St Mary.
Chirk’s industry was in coal mining, with coal being worked since the 17th century. The largest of these collieries were Black Park, one of the oldest in the north of Wales, and Brynlinallt. Both of these coal mines are long closed, although there is a street called Colliery Road.
The River Ceiriog rises in the Berwyn Mountains and swiftly, impetuously, descends eastwards for some 18 miles to meet with the more sedate River Dee. During its length, the Ceiriog Valley provides a myriad of different landscapes and every turn in the valley’s meandering road brings something new and unexpected. In the 18th century vital road, rail and canal links were developed and the town was a centre of communication. Chirk became a staging post on the A5 London to Holyhead mail road, which was originally one of the famous Roman roads, whilst the Llangollen branch of the Shropshire Union Canal reached Chirk in 1801. The Llangollen Canal is perhaps Britain’s most popular cruising canal and Chirk Marina is well situated between Thomas Telford’s two magnificent aqueducts at Chirk and Pontcysycllte. It is possible to walk across both aqueducts if you have a head for heights. Chirk Aqueduct, built between 1796 and 1801 by Telford and William Jessop, is 70 feet high with 10 arches. At the northern end of the aqueduct, the canal enters Darkie Tunnel which is wide enough for a single barge and walkway. Using the walkway it is possible to walk through the quarter mile long tunnel.
o————0————o
* Coach Pick Up Points: *
Burscough War Memorial 8.20 am
Ormskirk Bus Station 8.30 am
Ormskirk School 8.30 am (ready for pickup)
Skelmersdale War Memorial 8.40 am
ASDA Bus stop 8.50 am (the coach will pick up at the bus stop on Northway near Asda – on the opposite side of the road to Bannatyne’s).
Upholland Labour Club 9.00 am
o————0————o
NEXT RAMBLE:
Saturday 14th November 2026. Saltaire, West Yorkshire.
