{"id":1006038,"date":"2022-08-11T17:21:50","date_gmt":"2022-08-11T16:21:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1006038"},"modified":"2022-11-07T10:23:28","modified_gmt":"2022-11-07T10:23:28","slug":"river-clywedog-valley-from-rhewl-near-ruthin-denbighshire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1006038","title":{"rendered":"River Clywedog Valley, From Rhewl Near Ruthin, Denbighshire"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It’s been getting warmer all week. Wales was forecast to be marginally cooler, so that’s where I headed today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an hour and a quarter\u2019s drive from Cheadle Hulme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is a little longer than 6 miles, and deliberately not too hilly. I set off from the village of Rhewl, north of Ruthin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It took 3 hours to complete, taken very slowly in the hot weather, plus 30 minutes for a very leisurely lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dog walkers, this is a fantastic walk for you. 90% is on fenced tracks or paths, or in open managed woodland with no restrictions. There are a few short stretches on roadsides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The weather was very hot and sunny throughout, 28 C when I returned to the car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 265.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I parked at the free car park, from Ruthin, immediately after the Drovers Arms turn right then left, postcode LL15 2UD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rhewl To Bontuchel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The short stretch around the main road, and over the road bridge to reach the track into the woods was brightened by a beautiful wild flower meadow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I was pleased to see water still running in the River Clywedog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After leaving the road, the track climbs steadily , and is, fortunately, just inside the edge of the wood. I was happy to be walking in the shade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There were occasional glimpses through the woodland edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, to a hot looking field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And then, back over my right shoulder to the Clywidian Hills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This part of the walk was generally well signposted, though the path below the farm at Berth was a little overgrown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There are sections of conifer plantation, and this picture shows an easy section of path cutting through a steeply sloping wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After crossing a short stretch of open field, the route drops down to the side of the river – a trickier section of path with exposed tree roots. Meeting the riverside path, I then reached a minor road, still with plenty of shade from the trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I have no idea how the Welsh pronounce Bontuchel. It appears quite French to me – Bon2shell!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The road recrosses the river here, though it’s rather obscured by the foliage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bontuchel To Woodlands Hall Caravan Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now, I rise up the opposite side of the valley, on another minor road, before dropping down on a path to the left to cross a small stream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There are some very luscious ferns here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The path emerges on to a track where I took a left, then immediately right to make my way to Bron-Fari. At the house, I almost missed the hidden path to the left, as it was hidden by more plant life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I wandered up the path, which is clearly little used, and has lots of tree cover. I sudden glimpsed and heard a blackish object drop to the floor about 10 yards ahead of me. Initial reaction was that it was a large black bird, but they don’t land like this, with a real thud. I didn’t see it again, but I wonder whether it may have been a polecat, as they are native to this area and this was perfect habitat for them… I’ll never know!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The woods eventually become more open, and I stopped at one such opening where there were great views up and down the Clywedog Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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East To Clywidian Hills<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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West Towards Bonmarchel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After emerging in a field, I took the second stile and stayed at the top of the hill with a wood on my right. The path eventually reached a stile into Woodland Hall Caravan Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The path is completely disregarded by the park owners, so I made my own route across to the road entrance on the far side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The site was eerily quiet, though many vans were clearly occupied, and it did feel very appealing on such a grand day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

River Clywedog and Lady Bagot’s Drive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The road continued to offer great views to the hills over the Vale of Clwyd, and closer to hand a classically shaped fir tree!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After following a farm track downhill, I reached the river, and a footbridge crossing, from which the glory of the river could be appreciated. I imagine it would be quite spectacular after a period of wet weather, so I expect I will return!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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According to the information board in Rhewl village, the track along the riverside was created for Lady Bagot during Edwardian times as a “recreational amenity for the landowner”. It’s certainly a great amenity for visitors and locals alike, as I encountered a group of teenagers making good use of both the path and the water! A beautiful place well worth a visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I finally emerged back at the village of Rhewl, where I crossed the original old stone bridge to get back to the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An exceptional walk for today’s weather, as it was almost all in the shade of the trees!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very enjoyable, and worth the drive down the M56 for a day out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here’s something that I heard recently, a bit heavier than my usual choices. I love the instrumental section from about 3minutes into the track. Lots of energy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s 25 by “Thumper” from the album “Delusions of Grandeur”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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