50th Anniversary Walks – Chirk Ceiriog Circular

Pleasant routes through farmland fields, country lanes and woodland paths, with a riverside return toward the town beneath a spectacular towering aqueduct.  Take a break and grab some refreshments en-route at Chirk Castle, or dip into this National Trust gem either side of your walk.

Distance  long:              6.3 miles / 10 km

medium:        6.7 miles / 10.7 km

short:             5.3 miles / 8.5 km (1 April – 30 Sept only)

Start Grid Ref:               SJ 28737 37540

What Three Words:     https://w3w.co/habit.unwound.flattered

Start

Having absorbed the delights of Caffi Wylfa head off by turning right onto Castle Road and dipping down toward canal path just before the roundabout. Hover briefly over Chirk Aqueduct before turning back and diving into the darkness of the 421m long Chirk Tunnel. Emerging into the daylight leave the canal path up and over the bridge into the opposite woodland, meandering a myriad of paths that lead through a gateway to a path dissecting the field toward the road. (1) Here your journey breaks, heading right along the road for the long route and straight ahead onto the grassy parkland of Chirk Castle for both the short and medium routes.

If taking the longer scenic route, continue along the road until it curves left where a waymarker guides your ambles toward the right and pass through two fields before crossing a country lane. Dipping into dairy farmland head diagonally, beyond the right of the farm, to pick up a stone track and follow this until it meets the staggered crossroads. Continue ahead, sweeping the outskirts of parklands, where the castle stands proud on its prominent mound and your journey blends with Offa’s Dyke Path.

Follow the National Trail waymarkers, leaving the road at the corner, up and over the brow of the hill before dropping down between woodland shelter, along a stony lane and passing dwellings as they cling to the hillside.  Descending to the road, continue ahead over a bridge and a short climb before turning left at the junction where you part with Offa’s Dyke Path and pick up your travels along Llwybr Maelor Way as far as Bronygarth.

Approaching the far end of the village and passing over the stone bridge, make your way down into the dingle of Pentre Wood where a wild garlic carpet fills your senses and cushions the woodland floor. Falling toward the river you leave the enchantment and flow along the river banks, pausing briefly to cross the bridge and take the waymarked route into field on the right to meander alongside the river, passing beneath the engineering marvel of the aquaduct as it towers high above. Leaving the field cross the road, taking the grassy path slightly to your left to climb above the river, emerging in the town and travelling along Castle Street to return where you began.

If your travels head into the parklands on the shorter routes, follow the green waymarked route directly ahead for a short distance, veering right at the next marker post and diagonally across the field to the corner gate. Here pick up the blue route and almost double back along a well trodden path and into the woodland via a wooden gate for dappled light meandering and bathing amongst the leaves.

Shortly before the end of the wood follow the path to the right for a short distance, pass through a gate and take the gravel path to your right, skirting around fields and Deer Park woodland to your left. The path guides the way toward the castle, weaving through the woodland as is hovers above the road. Approaching the castle where turrets hover above and then drop toward the car park. At the bottom of the castle entrance your route splits (2), through the gate for seasonal access to the short summer route or via the car park for the all year middle distance route.

Short route – passing through the gate follow the track, downward toward the pedestrian gateway and ahead into the field before picking up a steep woodland path meandering its way to meet the road where it reconnects with the other routes (4)

Medium route – from the carpark hug the fence line and continue ahead, along the red route, across parkland before meeting Offa’s Dyke Path as it reaches the road and blends with the long route navigation (3).

Notes/transport to the start

Parking

Parking available at Caffi Wylfa, or nearby roadside parking.

Bus

n/a

Train

Chirk rail station is a five minute walk from the cafe. Alternatively the walks can be met at the exit of Chirk Tunnel which lies next to the rail line.

General

The community Caffi Wylfa provides the perfect venue to start/end your wandering, whatever the weather.