Top 5 Scenic Walks Around Wrexham
If you’re after a base for an outdoor break in North Wales, Wrexham makes an excellent choice – as well as having plenty of things to do, it’s well placed for outings up into the hills and mountains, strolls along the coast or visits to all sorts of places of interest either side of the Wales/England border. And at the end of the day, this compact city is big enough to have plenty of places for a well-earned meal and a drink or few…
Whether you’re exploring the stunning countryside around Broughton, hiking up Hope Mountain or strolling around one of the many gorgeous country parks here, there’s something to suit all sorts of visitors around here. To give you a head start, we’ve put together this guide to the top five scenic walks around Wrexham.
If you're keen to see more of the lovely scenery in this part of North Wales, an outdoor stay is a great way to make that nice and easy. Whether you opt for a wallet-friendly simple grass pitch or choose a stylish cabin with a hot tub, you’ll be able to soak up the views and the fresh air throughout your stay. Pitchup’s collection of places to stay around Wrexham has something for all tastes and budgets – take a look below to find the place for you.
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Walk through the Ceiriog Valley
Let’s kick things off with a trip to the Ceiriog Valley: an absolute must-do when you’re in the area. It’s around half an hour’s drive from the large market town of Wrexham and a very popular destination with walkers of all abilities.
Those with lots of energy might want to complete the challenging 12-mile trail from the impressive Berwyn mountain range to the historic town of Chirk. This waymarked trail is divided into seven stages, each with its own interesting history and fantastic views over the surrounding countryside. There are also a number of lovely pubs en route, so you can easily stop for something to eat and drink before setting off again.
If you prefer a more leisurely stroll, perhaps follow one of the shorter walks around Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site – built by the Scottish civil engineer Thomas Telford – also known as the ‘Stream in the Sky’.
Into your rhymes and ballads? The valley has connections with a few literary figures including three notable Welsh poets – John Hughes, Huw Morus and Robert Elis – as well as the novelist Islwyn Ffowc Elis. There’s a memorial stone to John Hughes outside his former home, just outside the village of Glyn Ceiriog.
Explore the Maelor Way
At 24 miles long, the Maelor Way is an excellent destination for experienced walkers and seasonal strollers alike (you don’t have to do the full length, of course). This long-distance footpath starts at Castle Mill near Chirk and continues all the way to Grindley Brook, a small village close to the town of Whitchurch.
The scenic route winds its way through the counties of Wrexham, Cheshire and Shropshire and links six long-distance paths including Offa’s Dyke National Trail, so it’s a versatile trail to know about.
The trail follows public footpaths, quiet lanes and bridleways though attractive countryside and passes through tiny villages like Bronington and Hanmer, where you can potter around independent shops and get some lunch at a local café or pub. If you’re taking on the whole trail, you can split it across two (or even three) days, stopping off at B&Bs or campsites along the way.
Alyn Waters Country Park
At about 400 acres, Alyn Waters Country Park is the largest and arguably most popular country park in Wrexham. It’s a gorgeous green space with a whole host of waymarked woodland, grassland and riverside walks to choose from, so it’s great for a quick stroll, a long walk or anything in between.
The park is split into two parts – known as Gwersyllt and Llay – that lie either side of the River Alyn. The Gwersyllt side has space for parking, a visitor centre with café and a well-stocked gift shop. For something that goes beyond just a walk, try out the ‘trim trail’, which has a selection of fitness equipment to give you a proper workout – you can often see a variety of wildlife such as kingfishers, newts and grass snakes along the way too.
Next, head over to the Llay side and explore the local nature reserve, keeping an eye out for the abundance of insects, birds and other creatures that thrive here. You might want to spend some time at the excellent adventure playground too, where the kids can burn off any remaining energy before getting in the car.
All in all, this is a fantastic spot for a family day out – and dogs are welcome too, so bring your beloved pooch along to sniff out some new smells. Admission to the park is free but there is a small charge for parking.
Amble through Broughton
Broughton is another of the area’s green spaces, just three miles west of Wrexham. It spans across approximately 1150 acres and is a marvellous place to ramble around for a few hours.
A particularly scenic Broughton walk is the 4.5-mile circular trail that starts and ends at Moss Valley Golf Club car park. Along the way you’ll get to explore the village, the stunning countryside that surrounds it and some magical areas of woodland. It should take no more than three hours in total to complete this walk at a leisurely pace, even if you stop to snap plenty of pics of views over the historical Brymbo Steelworks as well as Gresford and the Cheshire Plains.
Fancy being able to say you climbed a mountain? Then head to Waun-Y-Llyn Country Park, a little way north of Broughton. There’s a good number of walking trails available here, many of which go via the 330-metre Hope Mountain. Keep it short with a 2-mile amble or take on a more challenging 6-mile trail – either way, you’ll be treated to lake scenes and outstanding views across Hawarden and the Wirral when you finally reach the summit.
Clywedog Valley Trail
The easy-to-follow Clywedog Valley Trail runs along the banks of the Clywedog river, from Minera Lead Mines to Kings Mill. Whether you walk the entire 5.5 miles or choose a shorter section to stroll, you’ll get the chance to explore the rich industrial history of the valley while admiring the rare habitats and species that call this place home.
Have your camera at the ready because you’re likely to spot pretty and interesting wildflowers, like the creeping yellow birdsfoot trefoil, and special animals like pipistrelle bats.
Remember to wear suitable footwear as the final section of this walk (after crossing Sontley Road and heading towards Kings Mill) can get very muddy in wet weather.
Fancy trying out all of our favourite walks? Book a stay at a campsite nearby and you’ll be able to get out to all these locations for an inspiring and great-value break. What’s more, you’ll get an extra fix of fresh air while on site – perhaps cooking a barbecue dinner at sunset or having your morning coffee with a mountain view.