This was an ideal winter morning for hiking. I quite like it when there is a chill in the air. Mostly because I sweat like mad when I’m out hiking and it helps to keep me cool. Prepared as always with plenty of layers to make sure I can stay warm on any rest stops.
The Route
There was quite a bit of backward and forwards going on at the beginning of this hike but if you’re looking for a nice little circular route to do whilst taking in the castle this one is great.
Canal side toilets are usually locked
This is something that I had to learn the hard way. There were plenty of toilets marked on the map. Finding one that was open and accessible was a different matter. I didn’t realise that the canal side toilet blocks would be locked. I am presuming that those on the canal might have a key but that wasn’t very helpful for me on the empty strip of the Llangollen Canal.
Luckily I was there just a the small canal side cafe at the Llangollen Wharf. I arrived just as it was preparing to open for the day. The very pleasant staff unlocked the toilet for me and it definitely improved the rest of my hike from here.
Through the farm
Leaving the canal and following the road north which lead to a small section of ascent through a dusty forest path. Which I do believe is part of the Offas Dyke National Trail. Then I crossed through farmlands with plenty of sheep resident. A few excitable farm dogs and a couple of interesting stone buildings later, I was ready to start a bit of a proper ascent.
I reached the start of the narrow dirt path that went up towards the plateau above. Its not the greatest path and couple of sections further up might seem technical from a distance but there is not many difficult parts.
That was until it got a little more, scrambley.
Not choosing the scramble up the waterfall
I’ll be honest I’ve only been hiking for about six or seven months and I do need to be careful. I’ve done a lot of research and I’m gaining a lot of practical knowledge. Still I respect that being out in nature well, it can sometimes become a hostile environment.
I looked at the smooth stones, and down at the drop I’ll be facing if I slip. I mean it could be worse, I might be able to grab a branch if I managed no to get impaled by one. The alternative route didn’t seem much better, flatter but it was the sae narrow path disappearing around the corner of the cliff face.
I might have set off hiking alone, but at this point I was not the only one debating which route to take next. After a brew and a bit of chatting we both decided to go back down the way we came up.
I have to admit my legs felt a little more nervous coming back down this way. When you’re looking up well you’re looking up. When you’re looking down that can seem an awful lot steeper. So I am not ashamed to say that there were some more uneven rocky sections where I shuffled down on my bum.
Up to the Castell Dinas Bran
My hiking wasn’t finished and there was the beautiful ruins of Castle Dinas Bran sat on the deceptively sharp hill in front of me.
The ascent is actually a little steeper than it looks. But the views from the castle are just amazing.
There are a few theories on where the fortress gets it name. It does translate to “Crow Castle” in English and there were some close flying around it when I was there. Others have also believed it to be named after King Brân Fendigaid. Or, it my just be from the word bryn for hill!
