This was a lovely hike, I’m doing quite well at finding routes that are a big mix of different terrains. Starting the day in a forest, taking a climb up to Moel Famau. Then continuing on to top before trekking back through farmlands and forests.
The Route
I do usually try and find quieter routes. I’m hiking solo across all our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Alhough the rest of my life has a Spotify soundtrack these treks are done sans-headphones. I try my hardest not to listen into the conversations of others on the trail but sometimes… they are just so damn interesting.
Luckily it was only really on the downhill from the Jubilee tower that was shared with others. I only heard the one conversation of the infidelity of relationships. The two girls will never know the influence their discussion had in my story. I think that they’re dogs will also get a mention.
Enough of the life of strangers. This is a little more into the trek I took to the top of the highest point in the Clwydian Range, Moel Famua.
The trek itself
I should have realised on my way up, bumping into two squadies who looked like they had ran a marathon carrying 20kg on their backs. This wasn’t going to be the easiest route up. That’s what this challenge is all about for me. Not just visiting every NP & AONB but improving my fitness and finding inspiration for my own storytelling.
In the aspect his route did not disappoint. I am carrying a rather light load (about 8kg) that would seem insignificant to a medieval soldier with weaponry and armour. For them to seek the high ground, bringing them selves an upper hand they would have to climb a similar route. With a lot more weight and without any blessing of a stepped ascent.
On my travels I have seen various fields with cows and sheep graving. This may have been the first time that I had discovered a field of the vegetable variety. I can’t quite distinguish whether this are reddish or beetroot. Someone had come before me and pulled one out of the ground to make that a bit clearer.
There were sometimes along this hike that I found pretty exhausting but I kept going. I had a few chances to cut the hike short but I’m glad I didn’t as near the end I came across one of my favourite forests. Then I was also treated to a great view which showed me how far I had gone that day.
