Weekend walk: Waun y Llyn – Llanfynydd

Time: Allow 2 – 2.5 hours

Parking: Waun y Llyn Country Park (SJ286577) or small car park at beginning of old railway (SJ269589)

Grade: Moderate (one steady ascent), several stiles

Livestock: Sheep and sometimes cattle

Disused Railway Line

When the Mold – Brymbo line opened in the late 19th century, Coed Talon soon became a busy railway junction, bustling with laden trucks transporting coal, oil and stone from the nearby works and mines. The railway closed in the 1950s and the track was removed.

This section was opened in 2004 for walking, cycling and riding.

The adjoining wetland is now managed as the Wood Pit Nature Reserve.

Waun-y-Llyn quarry

The hard silica sandstone of Waun y Llyn was quarried in 19th and early 20th centuries. It was taken down the hillside by tramway to Coed Talon where it was ground to produce silica powder. The old quarries are very noticeable but you can also find remnants of the tramway. Look for the stone base of a winding house by the quarry below the seat and, as you walk down the hillside from the Country Park, another winding house is visible ahead.

The Walk

1. From the end of Waun y Llyn car park follow the clear path to the stone toposcope at the viewpoint with views across to the Clwydian Range, Cheshire and the Wirral. Drop down to the left of the toposcope to continue along the top of Hope Mountain, keeping to left hand side of the old quarry. Follow the path (it narrows and meanders in places) along the top of hill, enjoying the stunning views over the Clwydian Range.

2. Just beyond the bench on the left, take waymarked narrow path left, down to a visible stile. Cross this stone stile and a second wooden stile edging the track then walk down the right hand side of the field. Cross the stile ahead and continue along right hand side of next field. Turn Right at wall corner and follow wall to the gate and stile onto the road. Turn Left and walk downhill on the country road following the road as it veers right at the bottom of the hill passing the former Sion chapel on the right.

3. Turn Left just beyond the old chapel into parking area. Continue around left and walk ahead through the wooden kissing gate onto the disused railway line. Follow the route along the disused track for approx 2km. Go through gate at the end of the old railway and turn left onto the road. Walk carefully along the road towards Llanfynydd village.

4. Turn Left onto a lane just past Clwyd Disabled Riding Centre. After 700m where the road bears left, turn right and follow the drive past Springfield House. Before the drive continues to Bramble Barn, bear right and climb over the stile to the left hand side of the gate. Continue uphill on this path between the fields crossing a further 2 stiles. After crossing the second stile, follow the path as it bends to the right, keeping the house and the woodlands on the left. You emerge onto the hillside with a large white house on the left and scenic views on your right hand side.

5. Climb over the stile immediately in front of you and bear left on the path (ignoring the path signed right on the stile) and follow the path edged by an old wall, climbing uphill at first. Continue ahead as the path levels out with superb views on the left to Moel Famau and the Clwydian Range. Go through the gate/stile and continue ahead until you reach another gate onto the top road. Turn right along the road and continue uphill to a small gate on the left. Go through this gate into the Waun y Llyn Country Park car park.