On the first day of a short bikepacking trip in the Llangollen area, I followed the canal from Chirk, and crossed the amazing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, where I left the canal and took a cheeky path through Trevor Hall Wood.
After this, I went over the hills to the east of Llangollen, and rejoined the road near the top of World's End pass.
I left the road shortly afterwards, and followed the boards towards Llandegla. I collected some water here, and then left the boards and had a character building push through thigh high heather to the top of Cyrn-y-Brain, and the ruins of Sir Watkin's Tower. I'd planned to camp here, but everywhere was lumpy or slopey or covered in heather, so I rode down towards Horseshoe Pass and found a very good pitch that faced the setting sun.
No. 2 in a series of "Is that a hidden camera?" selfies.
On day two I didn't have to go far before I stopped for cake. This fuelled me for the ride / push up Moel y Faen, which gave me a good decent to the next bit of pushing to the final top of the day, Moel y Gamelin. I dropped down from here (it was so steep and loose I had to walk part of this) towards the Clwydian Way, which gave a beautiful descent to the valley, the highlight of the trip.
Mango and passionfruit Victoria sponge, if anyone's interested.
Looking back towards the cafe, and the hill that I cycled down and camped on.
There was a short section on the road past Horseshoe Falls before I was able to get back on the towpath, and I followed this back to Chirk in the sunshine. I took a short diversion through Chirk tunnel to see Chirk Aqueduct and Viaduct, and returned to the truck along the road.
Llangollen Overnighter, Late May Bank Holiday.
Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew
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Llangollen Overnighter, Late May Bank Holiday.
“I want to see the wild country again before I die, and the Mountains..."
Bilbo Baggins.
Bilbo Baggins.
Re: Llangollen Overnighter, Late May Bank Holiday.
Beautiful pictures, looks like a great trip
- Bearlegged
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Re: Llangollen Overnighter, Late May Bank Holiday.
Ditto that.
And yes, I am interested in that cake.
And yes, I am interested in that cake.
Re: Llangollen Overnighter, Late May Bank Holiday.
Nice, looks like a grand trip out Michael
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Llangollen Overnighter, Late May Bank Holiday.
Lovely that looks
I often look at the tracks heading off from the cafe and think how good they look but always consider them footpaths so ignore them. Then I see motorbikes on them and kick myself.
I often look at the tracks heading off from the cafe and think how good they look but always consider them footpaths so ignore them. Then I see motorbikes on them and kick myself.
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Llangollen Overnighter, Late May Bank Holiday.
What a spot.. looks like a great ride. I'm heading just to south of there (Wayfarer's track) via the A5 valley / Carrog on a ride soon and have noted those tracks around Moel y Gamelin in case I'm passing at bivi-o'clock.
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Re: Llangollen Overnighter, Late May Bank Holiday.
That'll be a great trip. I've walked over that track but haven't cycled it yet.
“I want to see the wild country again before I die, and the Mountains..."
Bilbo Baggins.
Bilbo Baggins.