Distance: 8 km/5 miles
Time: 3hrs
Parking: Limited roadside parking in Whitford and at Maen Achwyfan
Grade: Moderate, several stiles, can be muddy in places in Winter
Livestock: Mainly sheep in winter but cattle likely in some places spring/summer/autumn
Thomas Pennant, an 18th century zoologist and travel writer, was born at Downing, near Whitford. His 'Tour in Wales' popularised North Wales, setting a trend for wealthy young Englishmen to tour the Welsh mountains. He is buried in Whitford church.
The Pharos lighthouse at Whitford.
The Pharos - This round stone structure is reputedly a Roman lighthouse built to help ships navigating up and down the Dee Estuary. Others think it is a 17th century watchtower, built to give warning of pirate raids!
The Maen Achwyfan Cross, Whitford.
Maen Achwyfan - The Maen Achwyfan Cross is a beautifully carved 10th-century wheel cross. The cross shows strong Scandinavian influence in the carving style, similar to crosses in Northumbria of the same age. The cross is one of the few hints to the presence or Vikings in this area.
Whitford walk map.
The Walk
1. With your back to the church turn Left and walk along road. Take first Left along lane, before lodge on the right. Turn Left by finger post, signed Pennant Walk, through gate onto path (can be muddy). Continue along path through three more small gates, passing a large pond on the left and crossing a stream. Where path enters the field continue ahead following the right hand boundary. Go through a gate then turn Left onto path, following the left hand field edge.
2. Go through gate at the end and immediately right, crossing stile into field (ignore marker ahead to road). Walk along right hand side of field to farm. Go through gate into farmyard. Turn right towards farmhouse, then left through gate beside old barn. (Farmhouse on Right). Follow path through gate into field. Walk up field diagonally right heading for gate and waymarkers in corner. Go through gate onto sunken path and follow path uphill. At the top of lane turn left onto drive with Mannog Appaloosa stud on the right hand side.
3. At track junction turn right, signed Pennant walk, up drive of white cottage, Garreg Ucha. Follow path to the left of cottage and continue to woodland edge. Cross stile and after 10m cross second stile left into woodland. Continue ahead on bulldozed track through to woodland edge. At path junction continue ahead over stile into field (but first detour right 200m up track to the Pharos). Walk diagonally down right across two fields, crossing stile between fields. Cross stone stile onto road.
Coutryside on the Whitford walk.
4. Turn left along road, right at T-junction (look for Maen Achwyfan on left hand side in field) then turn right again, signed Whitford. Just past cottage on the left, turn left onto track and continue for 500m. Bear right where track forks, then with gate ahead turn right, signed Pennant Trail, along narrower path with wall/fence on the left hand side. Continue ahead as path narrows greatly, walking between two hedgerows. At small path crossroads continue downhill, following old stone wall on the right. Near bottom of hill bear right and continue past cottage on the left. Go through gateway and along cottage drive to gate onto road.
5. Turn Right along road. Take first right, after 40m, along drive of Pentre Ffynnon Farm. Pass farm on the right and continue on obvious track between hedges to gate. Enter large field and follow marker arrows, along a row of Oak Trees, to white metal gate onto road. Turn left along road. At road junction, with large tree in middle, take left fork.
6. At farm buildings on the right, cross road following Pennant walk sign. Go through white gate past metal barns, then continue ahead passing old tithe barn on the right. Continue on path between two fields. At woodland edge turn left through gate, skirting woodland on the right. Ignore path joining left at two gates and go through gate at end of path, skirting woodland on the right, ignoring path joining on the left. Go through gate at end of path and cross large field, through a dip, heading for waymarker post on drive. Turn right along drive to reach lodge. At lodge turn left along road. Walk back to Whitford village.
Whitford walk map.
Looking for more to explore?
• Hawarden
• This walk is courtesy of Flintshire County Council.
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