A bright, sunny day and we continue onwards. In Scotland we collect Monroes in the Clwydian Range it is all about the Moel.
Moel Arthur at 1496 feet is the first challenge. Turning right from the car park, you reach a sign to the left taking you through to the start of the ascent. Clear signposting up the slope, with some magnificent views across to Snowdonia. We stopped to talk to a group of archaeologist investigating an area of ground near the path.
As soon as you are up and topping out, you head down towards a small car park. Crossing through the car park you start the next slog uphill. Looking back at Moel Arthur you can clearly see the scale of the hillfort. Onwards we go to Moel Famau ( Mothers’ Mountain) at 1820 feet the highest hill on the range, passing through Moel Llys y Coed and Moel Dywyll.
We are amazed by the views across the Vale of Clwyd on such a clear day.
Every time we approached a hill that was close to a car park, it became very busy with people. We had several conversations en route, Australians, French, some locals and as it was the start of the school holidays quite a few Brits. As we plodded uphill, a young woman can be seen fast approaching below – I could not believe she was running up the mountain in the heat.
The rather ugly Jubilee Tower on Moel Famau was teeming with people.
We dropped down to the car park at Bwlch Penbarra, before tackling the steepest slope – Foel Fenlli at 1676 ft. I reverted to my 50 steps, stop, deep breath and continue with 100 steps. The technique worked and we swiftly reached the top.
A steep descent to a conifer forest, across a field following a fence, then up one side of the field eventually looking down at a farmhouse. Slightly relieved, we start the home run down to Clwyd Gate, so called as it used to be a toll road.
This is a pretty strenuous section, but the views make it all worthwhile.