Day 10: The Clwydian Range

Start: Chirk

End: Llandegla

Distance: 15 miles

After breakfast, I left Chirk and picked up the trail. I was feeling a little tired and sore from yesterday's long day as I began today's miles. But luckily I'd had a long undisturbed sleep and eaten lots of food to aid my recovery. The route began with gentle, flat farm tracks which eased me into the day. The trail then ran adjacent to a river where people in narrowboats smiled and waved as I passed. I arrived at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the highest navigable aquaduct in Britain at 18m high above the River Dee. The trail had an optional diversion to avoid this, for those who are afraid of heights. A couple ahead were cautiously approaching the aquaduct, hesitating whether to walk across and stepped aside to let me go ahead saying, "this lady looks brave, she can go first!" Normally on exposed ridges or scree slopes of mountains I get shakey legs if I look down but although this felt high, there was a handrail so it felt easy and comfortable.

Later into the morning as I passed through fields, I met a retired man called Paul. He had a large map around his neck in a waterproof case and looked like the kind of man that had spent his whole life walking. He was staying at a local campsite and completing some day walks in the area. We had a lovely chat, he was really encouraging, telling me "It's lovely to see a young lady having the confidence to hike on her own." He kept a diary during his walks so asked for my name so he could include me in his entry. After climbing a steep woodland slope, the landscape dramatically changed. Jagged crags of the limestone escarpment and purple heather moorland dominated the scenery. This was the Clwydian Range. There was a couple of options on my map for the route at this point and I decided to take the path that ascended to higher ground, as I'd get more views from there rather than the flat tarmac path that curved around the peaks. The path was overgrown with bracken which was chin high and I waded my way through to the top. As I climbed higher the views opened out, with the smooth slopes of Llanthsilio mountain ahead and the remains of on old castle and fort on the summit of Dinas Bran. After a flat gradient the route descended. I hopped over boulders, navigated down scree slopes and crossed minor streams. I really enjoyed this section and was glad I'd taken the more challenging route.

I returned to the national trail route which followed a path that curved around the scree slopes, eventually descending to the head of Eglwyseg valley. I passed through more heather moor which was alive with ground nesting birds before following the winding trails through Llandegla forest to my camp for the night. I sat on the grass at camp surrounded by scattered objects; my snacks, my stove, my map and thought back to the day. Canals, an aquaduct, forests, rocky escarpment, scree slopes, streams and moorland. It had been such a varied day and really highlighted to me the rewards of exploring land on foot, being able to witness such different scenery across a 15 mile stretch. I now have 30 miles remaining to get to the North Coast. Then the first goal of my challenge will be achieved.