Glyndyfrdwy - Moel Fferna Quarry - Glyndyfrdwy

Philip Ingram

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Easily accessible by car or by public transport, this walk takes you up through the pastureland on the side of the beautiful Dee Valley to the open grouse moors along the Berwyn Ridge. In clear weather there are superb views to the Clwydian Hills. It is a good pull up but worth it. Part of the route lies along a long-abandoned railway leading to equally long-abandoned slate quarries. Moel Fferna Quarry has good interpretation boards to explain both what you can see around you and the lives of those who worked there. It makes a good picnic spot with great views. Birdwatchers will be pleased to know that both black grouse and peregrine falcons can be seen in the moorland area – I have seen both but I can't guarantee that you will be so lucky! Although clear days at any time of year will make this walk very rewarding, late summer is possibly the best time as the heather will be in flower and there will be berries everywhere: blackberries lower down, bilberries on the open moor and rowan-berries shining in the trees.

Routefinding is generally straightforward with good waymarks for much of the moorland stretch. As the walk crosses open moorland, only those with really good navigation skills should attempt it in poor visibility. A short length late on in the walk is very slippery, as described in the notes for Waymark 23.

Friends who walked this route in late September 2011 found the stretch from Waymarks 07 to 10 hard going because of the tall bracken. Although less exciting, those who feel walks are to be enjoyed rather than endured might prefer to turn left along the rising metalled lane at Waymark 06.

Wales - North Wales - Denbighshire - Berwyn

Features

Birds, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Industrial Archaeology, Moor, Public Transport

04/11/2014 - Philip Sutcliffe

This is a really excellent walk. Did it on 4 Nov 2014. A few comments.....Some fencing realignment appears to have been done between WM20 and 21 and the gorse bush has gone. Just keep the fence on your left and you come directly to the footbridge. To reiterate the comment on WM23 - be careful as it is very slippery. We kept to the far left of the path and it was reasonable...or use the alternative route on the right of the hedge. Parts of the route were very muddy. The worst area was around the foot of the incline between WM15 and 16 where motor bikes have chewed the ground so badly is is just one big bog. We kept to the base of the spoil heap on the left which was passable.

10/10/2013 - Robert Hughes

This is a fantastic walk - The views were brilliant even in today's overcast conditions. The temporary diversion at WM 11 has now been lifted - which is great as the walk along the route of the old railway to the quarry and the quarry itself adds considerably to the overall impact of the walk. At WM 23 I would highly recommend taking the route on the right of the hedge, which runs close and parallel to the old slate bed road. As mentioned the old road is positively treacherous (far to slippy)and you don't gain anything.

15/07/2013 - Ian Dodd

As at 14/7/13, a sign on the gate at waymark 11 advises of a temporary diversion to the North Berwyn Way because of a landslide and directs you straight on. There are no further directions, but it is easy enough to follow on the map, picking up the route again at 18. You do miss out the quarry though. There may have been some re-wiring between 21 and 22 as the landmarks described are not apparent, but just keep on the same direction, keeping the fence to your left. The path at 23 is still a little tricky even in a hot dry July, and is almost overgrown with nettles towards the end, so maybe it has become the practice to walk the other side of the hedge. A great walk with amazing views and excellent instructions. Thank you Philip!

22/01/2012 - David Thrift

Did this walk on 21/01/12. I echo the comments of previous posters - beautiful views, a great sense of history, and a well-waymarked route. No problem with bracken or overgrown gorse in January though - just 60mph winds!

10/05/2011 - michael parry

Did this walk on 8/5/11. It's a gem of a walk. As other users have stated, the views are great. Note at waymark 21 that gorse bushes have been cut back and there is now a new small footbridge and stile at this point.

06/05/2011 - keith evans

Did this walk in really good weather. Views were fantastic. Approach to the quarry really gives a sense of history as many of the railway sleepers are still visible. Reaching the top of the quarry is well worth the hard pull up between the waste material. Lots of info about the workings.