Around Llangollen

With a bit of free time I took myself and my bike off to Llangollen in North-East Wales for a few days.

Following a train to Wrexham I had a fairly easy ride to Llangollen via the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Llangollen Canal towpath. I had booked accommodation a couple of miles beyond Llangollen at the Chainbridge Hotel, Berwyn.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Llangollen Canal.

Llangollen Canal.

The hotel is beautifully located between the canal and River Dee, with a station of a preserved steam railway across the historic Chain Bridge on the opposite bank.

River Dee at Berwyn.

I had perfect weather for the first couple of days and took myself off up the Dee Valley, following the quiet but lumpy minor roads on the north bank. I crossed the river and turned back just before reaching Bala and was initially on a fairly quiet B road but to avoid the busy A5 I had to recross the river. I was now retracing my earlier route and managed to time my arrival in the hamlet of Rhewl with the opening of the Sun Inn a wonderfully traditional little pub.

Dee Valley.

Dee Valley's Finest Scenery - The Sun Inn at Rhewl.

My following day's departure was delayed by rain, but with the weather clearing I headed off along the canal towpath. I recrossed the aqueduct and after another couple of miles left the canal and headed uphill to visit Chirk Castle.

Chirk Castle.

I continued up the Ceiriog Valley which was very scenic but busier than I had expected. I found a nice pub for refreshments and to prepare myself for the return trip over the Berwyn Hills.

Berwyn Hills looking over Ceiriog Valley.

Berwyn Hills.

The Chain Bridge, Berwyn.

More rain meant that I spent a bit of time in Llangollen before heading up into the hills for a short circuit which took me around the ancient hill fort Castell Dinas Bran.

Dee Valley.

Castell Dinas Bran.