An ideal place to start exploring The Clwydian Range…
It’s a cold but beautiful morning, the sun’s out and the sky is a deep blue – I love these types of Winters days, perfect for getting out in the fresh air and blasting away the cobwebs…
I’m well prepared, hat, scarf, gloves and wellies with fleece liners to keep my feet warm!
After a short 20-minute drive from The Old Mill Holiday Cottages, into Mold and out on the road towards Ruthin, I arrive at Loggerheads Country Park – It's well sign posted off the A494. (The park is free to enter but have some change ready for parking).
On arrival, what always strikes me are the imposing limestone cliffs, which you can immediately see towering above the car park area.
What I love about Loggerheads is the fact it's suitable for all abilities, and ages, and there is a wide range of walks to choose from, varying in length from approx. 45 minutes to 2-3 hours.
Many of our guests at The Old Mill Holiday Cottages enjoy walking, plus we're dog friendly, so its a perfect place that I recommend all year round.
The main footpaths around Loggerheads are shale and natural forest floor, they are predominately flat and follow the contours of the wooded river valley.
The area is popular with dog walkers, hikers, and family groups.
I meet up with my friend and her dog Alfie, we walk past the visitors’ centre & gift shop and popular Caffi Florence - The plan is to have lunch and a warm up in the café on the way back. To the right of the café is a large flat grassy area with benches, perfect for picnics or ice creams in the summer.
If you cross the bridge at the far-right hand-side of the picnic area and cross the road, you’ll end
up at ‘We Three Loggerheads Pub’ (Also useful to know, if you fancy a pint or a pub lunch after your walk!)
The trails are well marked out with maps available from the shop/visitor centre.
We opt for a shorter 45-minute relaxing stroll. We walk past the restored mill buildings and start our walk by turning left over the stone bridge. We follow the footpath alongside the river - After half a mile or so, there’s a natural beach area, where the river level is very graduated - Perfect for children to go paddling in wellies or even for your dog to have a splash around.
If you continue on for about half a mile, the path splits, in three directions. Straight on takes you to Devils Gorge, that will take approximate 2-3 hours in total. (Dramatic limestone cliffs, and outcrops popular with rock climbers)
Bear to the right and start to climb the steps upwards and this route rewards you with fabulous views of the Clwydian range mountains. (Circular walk but, this is a steep route).
We go to the left, over the wooden bridge and across the walking platforms. There's some interesting information about the industrial heritage of Loggerheads (During the 18th and 19th centuries the mineral rich rock was mined for lead)
If you are walking with children, there are a number of wood carvings to look out for, fish, bat, lizard, owl, frog..
We continue along this path, which has a very slight incline, the tree canopy gradually thins out and we re-appear at the car park. We turn left and return back to the visitor centre and café.
We stop for a much needed warm up at Caffi Florence. The prices are very reasonable, they offer many homemade and hearty dishes. I opt for a tasty bowl of butternut squash soup – Delicious!
Useful Information:
Car parking is usually fine, however there is now an overflow car park to help with the increases in visit numbers (Particularly in the popular summer months). Have a couple of pounds handy as it’s a coin operated parking machine (No change given).
Postcode for Loggerheads Country Park is CH7 5LH
Thanks for Reading…..
I hope this short blog provides you with an informative insight into the beautiful local landscape of rural Flintshire and Denbighshire – Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.’
If you enjoy walking in un-spoilt countryside, The Old Mill Holiday Cottages and perfectly situated for you to discover the Clwydian Range, wooded valley’s and gorges, heather and hillforts.
We have available for you x3 lovingly renovated cottages:
The Hayloft - Sleeps 2 (Long weekends from £180)
Millers Cottage - Sleeps 2 / Dog friendly! (x3 Nights from £180 / x7 nights £225 to £390)
The Long Barn - Sleeps 4 / Dog friendly! (x3 Nights from £225 / x7 nights £300 to £595)
For further information, please see our website:
Or for any questions or queries, I’m happy to help, please email Info@old-mill.co.uk
Liz Stack
