Llangollen Trails

11/03/2022

06/12/2021

www.runllangollen.co.uk
Run Llangollen - Running Coach

Specialising in fell and trail running offering running coaching, running breaks, bespoke training camps and much more

12/11/2020

31/10/2020

Winter will soon be coming and with the importance of carrying kit whilst out in the hills.

Here is a kit competition

Just like our page on Facebook and Instagram and share the post and tag three friends who might like to win.

Also share in your Insta Story Page

Lifestyle Systems Life Blanket
Lifestyle Systems First Aid Kit
Lifestyle Systems Whistle
Petzl Headtorch (perfect as emergency spare)

All included in the prize

Winner announced 1st November

10/03/2020

Trail: Amber Route - Trefor Woods and Monument
Distance: 9.5km
Ascent: 350m
Ideal for: Intermediate and Improvers

This is a great run that takes in some of the less trodden paths of the valley. When you reach the highest point at the Cairn the views back towards Llangollen are beautiful (as you will see in the photo).

Starting from town this route has a great warm up to get the legs going. Run just under 3km along the canal towards Trefor (basically turn right if you are at Llangollen Wharf).

When you reach the 3km mark you will be just by a bridge below the Sun Trevor Pub. You may feel like you have earned a pit stop here but the hard work is just about to begin....

Cross the road and start the climb up the road behind the pub. At the hairpin bend a few hundred metres later carry straight on along the footpath directly in front of you. This continues gently uphill over a couple of stiles before reaching another farm road which you continue to follow up for a very short distance until a stile appears on your right (just after the road bends back). Go over this stile and follow the trail as it bends round to the right and into Trefor Woods.

Once in Trefor Woods the trail continues up hill in more or less a straight line (ignore the first path that appears on your left). You will eventually reach a crossroads of paths where you will take the path on sharp left and continues through the bushes and uphill where the trail widens out.

At the top of the trail and reaching the edge of Trefor Woods you will see a parking area on the opposite side of the road. At the left hand side of this parking area the trail carries on up towards Trefor Monument. Follow this trail and when you reach a large standalone boulder the trail turns sharply uphill on your right. The legs are probably burning a little now but keep going!

Follow this trail as it winds up hill and reaches more large boulders before you reach the summit and continue running along the edge towards the large cairn. The trail continue along the edge offering fantastic views back down the valley. Keep on this trail as it continues towards the fields and you reach a private property sign. At this point the trail turns left and heads down a steep slope before crossing another footpath and carrying on down to the bottom of the gully.
This is a fantastic fun descent.

Once at the bottom continue round to your left where the trail will head downhill however you will shortly see a path branching round to the right and into an old quarry. This path will take you along the middle shelf of the Panorama before descending to the road a short distance from the gated entrance to the Dinas Bran Castle field.

Once through the gate you take the trail as it goes down to the right and follow this round the base of the castle hill. You can of course choose to go up and over the castle for an extra burst of climbing.

The path round the base descends briefly before climbing again to the gates on the other side of the castle. At this point you continue the descent downhill and to the finish in the town centre.

Relive: https://www.relive.cc/view/vZqNN5Brg3q

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/3156364481

View my run: Trefor Woods and Monument

04/03/2020

Trail: Green Route - Pen Y Coed Loop
Distance: 4.7km
Ascent: 148m
Ideal for: Beginners

This is a great loop if you are just getting into trail running or if you feel like a short loop exploring some trails but not venturing too far from town.

Starting in Centenary Square head along Church Street passing the many cafes and bars that now line that narrow street and continue along following the road as it narrows further going in front of The Hand Hotel.

As you reach the end of the road turn left onto Queen Street where you will pass the fire station on your left. A few hundred yards down this road you will see Birch Hill branching off to your right. Take this road and continue on until you reach another junction where you again take the right hand fork.

You are now on the outskirts of town and if you felt like continuing a short road loop stay on this road as it winds round Pen Y Coed and returns to town a few km later. For this loop though we are going through Pen Y Coed.

As you approach Tyn Dwr Hall there is a stile to access the field to your left and at this point on your right there is a small path that almost doubles back on your route. Take this gradual incline path and start your journey on the trail. A short distance in you will reach the large Pen Y Coed sign which will confirm you are on the right track.

Continue uphill through the forest following the trail forward as it winds around trees at the edge of the fenceline. Keep going in this direction and you will reach a further gate. Here you have reached the end of the climb and will start to descend, passing through another gate and following the trail straight down hill.

There is an option at this point to go to your right back into town however on your left is another gate which continues the trail through Pen Y Coed woods. Keep on this trail as it undulates through the forest. If you want to explore here there are plenty of options to branch off though.

Eventually the path will fork to the right and over a small bridge to exit the woodland. Now in Pengwern cross the road and carry on down the stairs / alley and straight across again past Pengwern community centre on your left. The road opens up now however please continue forward following Brook Street as it carries on round. Just after the right hand bend take the road to your left to exit Pengwern and turn left again heading away from town.

A few yards further on your right is the Alti Y Badi road which you will take. As the road bends round in front of a farmhouse there is a small path (waymarked) to your right. Follow this as it crosses the Cyflymen river / stream and goes into a short sharp climb out to the road.

Once on the road enter the field to your right through the farm gate and head for the farthest corner diagonally away from you. After a couple of minutes traversing the field you will exit on to Fron Bache where you turn right and head back towards town via Hill Street. At the traffic lights turn left down Castle Street to centenary square where you can reward yourself with coffee, cake and ice cream from one of the many cafes and bars nearby.

Relive: https://www.relive.cc/view/vE6Jdjg8kxv
Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/3142742284

View my run: Pen Y Coed - Llan Trails Green

03/03/2020

Trail: Red Route - Over the Horseshoe
Distance: 19km
Ascent: 670m
Ideal for: Experienced Runners and Walkers

A tough but rewarding route with plenty of climbing, some amazing scenery and a handy pit stop cafe in the middle.

From the town centre head along the canal and at the first bridge go up through the sports field to Dinbren Road. A short section on the tarmac winds you round to a junction where you go right (uphill). Shortly after there is a bridleway on your left which you follow up and through tow farm gates to a gradual descent behind Valle Crucis Abbey.

Continuing along this path you will start a gradual climb again past some cottages and on to a small road that meets another junction shortly after the cattle grid. Here you turn to your right and after a few hundred yards go over the field gate on your left and descend through the field to the woods and small stream at the bottom. Cross the bridge and continue to your right over a couple of stiles until you reach the road again.

Once on the road turn to your left again for a few hundred yards and the you will reach a cross roads surrounded by farm sheds. As you are facing the junction you go straight through and on your right hand side there is another gate which is waymarked. Go through this and follow the trail through another couple of gates and through a few fields where a Glyn Cottage will come into view. The trail passes directly in front of the cottage so follow this until you reach a stile where you carry on up the hill and through another gate before the trail continues up to the left. If you look behind you here you are rewarded with some amazing views of the Panorama Escarpment.

Continue the climb and two masts will be visible in the distance. Carry on through the sheep pen and follow the trail round where you will see it forks at a slate stone waymarker. You take the right hand fork and follow this trail up. On the trail there is a point where it forks again andis noticeably steeper on the irght hand side. You take the left fork which looks more of a narrow path and follow this round to be met with a stunning view right down the valley to the Horseshoe pass.

With the Ponderosa cafe now visible in the distance continue along the ledge to the and start descending towards the access road behind the ponderosa. You are only on this briefly before taking more trail to finish directly behind the cafe.

Continue across the road and start the climb up any one of the trails to the first peak, and highest point on the run, Moel Y Faen. This is quite a tough section particularly if the weather is poor. Once at the top a clearly defined trail carries on over to Moel y Gamelin in the distance however on your left there is a less trodden trail. Follow this and begin descending round until the trail meets the main path again.

Almost at the path there is another option where a trail forks away to the left and round the base of Moel y Gaemlin. Take this path and carry along a gradual climb presenting views over the Horsehoe Pass road and the wider valley before you start a fun descent round. There is hairpin turn over a small stream part way through the trail. Keep following the route straight down to the right of the quarry.

There are multiple route options towards the end of this route however keep on the more obvious straight descent before you the path bends round to go behind the quarry. Here the path bends down to the right through ferns and bracken before it crosses another trail. At this crossroads go left and follow the trail all the way where it will turn to the right and start a short sharp climb up before descending again eventually meeting a more defined trail down through two farm gates and eventually meeting the road at the bottom of the valley in Llantysilio.

Carry along the road back towards Llangollen for a few hundred yards and then at the right hand church cut back on to the trail past the Horseshoe Falls before starting the final 3km return along Llangollen Canal.

It really is a fantastic route with plenty to offer. If the weather is poor please ensure you have are well prepared as it can get pretty wild going over the tops.

Relive: https://www.relive.cc/view/vevYVZzLNJO
Strave: https://www.strava.com/activities/3148698810/overview

View my run: Over the Horseshoe - Llan Trails Red Route

02/03/2020

Trail: Green Route - Chainbridge Loop
Distance: 6km
Ascent: 167m
Ideal for: Beginners

This is a great short loop that takes in the less explored 'Dark side' of the valley on some of the low level trails before cross the iconic Chainbridge and returning to Llangollen along the Canal Tow Path.

Starting from Centenary Square cross the road and head along Parade Street and on down to Riverside Walk. Running along the river when you reach the park turn left to reach the road. On the opposite side of the main road you will see another road running uphill to the right of the old brewery. This is the start of the hill climb.

A hundred yards further there is a small trail to your left which climbs up through the woods. Its a short, sharp climb to the road above that exits by the thatch roof cottage that is visible from the town centre. Carry on up this road until you reach a farm road on your right which descends gradually past a farmhouse and on to the lower road again which ends shortly after.

There are plenty of amazing views along the way and at the end of the road there is a bench to take a breather if you like. After the bench the trail descends further and winds round to your left for just under 1km until it again reaches a small road. Here turn right and begin descending. Just before you reach the end of the road there is a small stepped pathway through the bushes that carries you out onto the A5 (be careful here when crossing).

Turn left towards Berwyn station and follow the path down to the Chainbridge and the River Dee. You will past under the Steam rail tracks.... if you stop and take a look at the bricks you can still see the writing and messages from the soldiers that departed the area during the first world war.

Cross the chainbridge and begin the run back to town along the stunning Llangollen Canal towpath. (A small diversion to horsehoe falls is possible and worthwhile if you turn to your left leaving The Chainbridge Hotel)

Relive: https://www.relive.cc/view/v4OGmYoAX5q

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/3142741825

View my run: Chainbridge Loop - Llan Trails Green

25/02/2020

If you are interested in racing some of the finest trail in North Wales check out the Llangollen Fell Race on 19th April. It is a marked route with plenty of tough climbs, rewarding descents and epic scenery.

If racing ain't your thing then there is a recce run of the course on the 5th April.

https://www.llangollenfellrace.co.uk/

19/02/2020

Excellent to see one of our local trails promoted by Visit Wales!

A run is more fun if you know the best places to go – and the right people to run with. So here’s a guided tour of the best Welsh running routes, with a little insider info from local runners.