For the Love of Walking

Cherry Pie Walks

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Walk 10 of the Cherry Pie Walks,  Including Pen-y-Cloddiau Hill Fort.

The toughest of the Cherry Pie walks (7 1/4 miles, climbing 1,282ft) ideal to work up a good appetite before dinner in the Cherry Pie Inn.

From the Cherry Pie Inn cross the Mold-Denbigh road and follow the signposted footpath. The sign is partially concealed by a lilac bush (1).

Go straight ahead passing a hillock or "boncyn" (2) on the left with a stand of ancient beech trees (Bryn Rhug). At the end of the road with  Nannerch Lodge (3) on your right turn right and follow the road to the next junction. Turn left and head up towards Bryn Golau (Hill of Light). Pass an old chapel on your right (9) and go through a small copse to a stile.

Climb on towards Bryn Golau following yellow markers.  Cross a stile (11). At point (12) take the gate on the left and at point 13 take the gate on the right and go straight across. Follow the path which can be very wet at times as it passes through boggy areas. Pass a derelict cottage (15). Walk on up a quite steep hill passing a sheep shelter (16) to the top which is the Pen y Cloddiau Hill Fort (17).

Built around 500 BC, encircling the summit of one of the most prominent peaks in the Clwydian Range. Near the summit is a Bronze Age burial mound, built around 2000 BCE. The hill fort is the largest of several forts built along the highest peaks in the Range, and one of the largest in all of Wales. Rest here and take in the views.

Follow the well-marked path to the left 'til you come to a car park (18). Here you start the walk back to the Cherry Pie, or meet a pre-arranged pick-up to take you back. If you are carrying on (you have done the hard bit) carry on down the road towards Nannerch. At (19) turn left into Ffordd y Cwm and at (20) turn left passed Tiriofa.  At the next junction (21) turn left into the hamlet of Nannerch Mill and carry on up the hill. Cross a stile on your right (16).   

Follow the path to another stile (23) and pass through woodland with wigwams (24) and then a weir before rejoining the road at Nannerch Lodge. Follow the road back to the Cherry Pie.

Not all paths on this walk are well maintained and can be muddy, slippery and boggy after wet weather. Good boots are highly recommended.

Parking: Cherry Pie Inn, the Old Mill, the Rising Sun car parks.

More details here   or    Download and print map & details.