5 Best Flintshire Walks To Try
If you’re into your hikes and are keen to explore quiet corners of north Wales, it’s well worth taking a look at Flintshire. This county is easily accessible from major cities like Manchester and Liverpool and yet it’s retained its peaceful nature as it’s often bypassed by visitors heading to Eryri (Snowdonia) or Anglesey.
Savvy walkers, however, will find plenty of rewards if they stop off here, with plenty of excellent walking trails to explore – from rambling around the pretty meadows in Wepre Park to climbing up the mighty Moel Famau. To help you find the top spots, we’ve put together this list of the best Flintshire walks to try out.
Planning a short trip to the area? Those scenic but quiet surroundings are also fantastic backdrops for camping or glamping breaks. Staying outdoors is a lovely way to soak up more of the peaceful rural atmosphere, and with prices starting from £10 per night it’s also a great option for a budget-friendly escape. Take a look at Pitchup’s full range of Flintshire accommodation options below.
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Explore the impressive Bryn Alyn
The Bryn Alyn hill fort is part of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape and a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. So, as you can imagine, it’s a pretty awesome spot for a walk in remarkable scenery.
The four-mile Bryn Alyn circular trail is a good way to take in the scenery – it’s a bit of a climb but when you reach the summit on a clear day, you’ll get marvellous views of the Clwydian Hills as well as the Wheeler and Dee valleys. Give yourself two to three hours to complete the walk so you can comfortably make a couple of stops to capture the stunning surroundings on camera.
Alternatively, you could visit Nercwys Forest and walk the five-mile loop from Tir y Coed to Bryn Alyn. As you wander down the woodland tracks and hop over numerous stiles, stop every now and again to admire the wildflowers en route.
Compete the Glasfryn and Gwysaney circular walk
If you fancy a Flintshire walk that ends up at a good pub, you’ll love the Glasfryn and Gwysaney circular walk.
The route starts and ends at Glasfryn, a well-loved traditional inn with a terrace that has inspiring views across the surrounding countryside. You might want to get a light bite before you begin the route, but keep in mind that you’ll end up back here in a couple of hours so could always reward yourself with food and a pint after you’ve stretched your legs.
Follow the well-marked trail from the pub through the stunning Gwysaney estate and up into the bordering hillsides before heading down into Soughton, an 11th-century village listed in the Domesday Book. Got a four-legged friend with you? Make sure they’re kept on a lead when necessary, as there are likely to be a number of grazing sheep and horses in the fields.
This is a relatively easy walk, but there are some steep climbs along the way and the grassland and footpaths can get quite muddy. At times you’ll have to navigate some (mostly quiet) roads; it’s best to keep to the right-hand side so you can see any traffic coming.
Wander through Wepre Park
There are some truly gorgeous strolls to be had in Wepre Park, just a 15-minute drive from Mold. It spans 160 acres of ancient woodland and is home to Ewloe Castle, a mysterious fortification thought to have been built some time after 1210 by the Welsh national hero Llywelyn the Great.
This country park in Connah’s Quay is fantastic for a family day out, as it’s got something for all ages. Walking trails take you around woods, waterfalls and rocky areas, and there are also football pitches, an adventure playground and outdoor gym. There’s a picnic area for your outdoor meals, or you can pick up refreshments from the Old Hall Café.
Get some fresh air at Greenfield Valley Heritage Park
With over 2,000 years of history to uncover, the 70-acre Greenfield Valley Heritage Park is an intriguing place to spend an afternoon. It’s on the edge of the River Dee estuary in Holywell and is full to the brim with wildlife, streams, lakes and ancient monuments.
You can choose from a selection of nature trails that will take you past many sites of historical interest, such as Abbey Wire Mill – built in 1780 by the Parys Mine Co – and Basingwerk Abbey, founded by Ranulf II Earl of Chester in 1131.
Kids are often keen on the massive adventure playground too, as well as the on-site museum and visitor centre where the whole family can learn all about the area’s rich history. Activities and events are hosted here throughout the year, so keep an eye on the website to see what’s on.
Climb up Moel Famau
You’ll need a decent level of fitness to climb the 554-metre peak of Moel Famau – it’s the highest summit in the Clwydian Range (as well as in the county) – but the four-mile trail to the top from the car park is well marked and is mostly a steady climb rather than having a whole lot of scrambling. When you’ve made it to the top you’ll get phenomenal views across Eryri/Snowdonia and over the Wirral peninsula to Liverpool.
Fancy a bit more of a challenge? Then go for the 10-mile Jubilee Tower Loop from Cilcain, which takes between six to seven hours in total. The route begins right next to the car park and continues along mostly accessible paths via the ruins of the Jubilee Tower, built in 1810 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of King George III.
Moel Famau is surrounded by a country park where you can get a taste of the scenery without doing so much of an uphill climb. There are several waymarked trails through the park, including an accessible trail and the family-friendly Forest Tracker trail, which has lots of info about the wildlife living in the woods.
Ready to pack your boots and get out onto the trails? Make sure you’ll have somewhere suitable to stay in between walks by booking one of Pitchup’s Flintshire campsites before you set off – we’ve got everything from peaceful wild camping sites to luxurious glamping pods where you’ll be able to soak in a hot tub at the end of your hike.