The area of the North Wales Borderlands, which includes Wrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire, provides some of the most ideal settings for taking those long winter Welsh walks.
Offering some breath taking landscape scenery and plenty of historical sites, the area is one that should certainly be explored, giving you the opportunity to take in some healthy fresh air at the same time.
The countryside surrounding Wrexham provides plenty of opportunities for a variety of fascinating winter walks through the country parks and woodlands. The country parks include Stryt Las and Alyn Waters, the former noted for its population of great crested newts and the latter for its variety of stunning sculptures.
In fact, there are a total of nine glorious country parks in the area of Wrexham and other areas that include both charming beauty spots and places of historical interest. Indeed, planned walks have been going on in Wrexham for some time.
Known as ‘Walkabout Wrexham’, the walks include those that spread for two or three miles and can be completed in less than three hours in addition to some more challenging routes.
One such Wrexham walk that shouldn’t be missed is the one that includes Erddig. Known as ‘the jewel in the crown of Welsh country houses’, this 18th century house offers a fascinating look at the ‘upstairs-downstairs’ lifestyle of a true home of the gentry.
Fine furniture and interior decor, textiles and historical portraits furnish the interior, whilst the exterior includes stables, mills and sawmills all offset by the glorious landscaped gardens and parkland.
The area of Flintshire is no less impressive for diverse landscapes and areas of interest. Whilst the area boasts over 30 planned routes, one of the highlights includes the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, an area of moorland that is notable for its challenging climbs leading to wild lands of breath taking panoramic views.
For something less strenuous, the areas of Whitford, Caergwrle and Lanasa provide the perfect setting for more leisurely riverside and farmland winter walks. Alternatively, walking through the areas of Greenfield, Buckley and Halkyn will unearth a treasure trove of fascinating historical heritage.
However, the highlight of this area remains the area of Talacre that includes one of the most popular beach settings around. Here, the golden sands, forever washed over by the beautiful, clear waters of the Irish Sea, stretch for miles. Indeed, Talacre beach is the ideal winter walk location, whatever the weather.
Don’t forget to look out for a special feature of the walk, the stainless steel statue that represents the ghost said to haunt the site.
Another area that is perfect for some on-foot exploration is the area of Denbighshire. Here, there is something for everyone including the fabulous Eglwyseg Escarpment in the Dee Valley and the glorious Vale of Clwyd. The market town of Denbigh itself remains dominated by the castle, built in 1282 and the town also features a local museum (the former County Hall), an art gallery and library.
However, perhaps the ultimate location of this area is Llangollen canal. Situated on the River Dee, this picturesque little town is overlooked by the striking remains of Castell Dinas Bran. Indeed, this area remains one of the most popular haunts for tourists looking for some great walks.
The reasons for this popularity include the fascination held for the home of two aristocratic ladies, Plas Newydd, who eloped here in the 18th century from their Irish homelands. Further highlights include the glorious Horseshoe Pass, Eliseg’s Pillar and Valle Crucis Abbey. Finally, don’t miss out on taking a tour on the town’s fascinating steam railway.
Leyla Jones, the author of the “Welsh walks to put a spring in your step this winter” is an aspiring blogger who enjoys writing on diverse travel topics ranging from exotic long-haul locations to homely UK destinations! She is currently writing on behalf of North Wales Borderlands, the official website for the North Wales Tourist Board.