Walk: Llangollen

Walking along the canal and then a steep incline which will bring breathtaking views. The walk joins the Offa's Dyke long distance path, where Dinas Bran and World's End dominate. There are some roads on this walk but except for the very start and end they are quiet country lanes that are steeped with views. There may be sheep grazing in some parts of the walk.

How to get there: Llangollen can be found on the A5. Once in the village of Llangollen head for the A539 via the road bridge. Once you have crossed the road bridge turn right and then left. Follow the road round into Dinbren Road.

Grid Reference: SJ 434425 Post Code LL20 8TG

Parking: Free on Dinbren Road

Facilities: Toilets and a shop at the beginning of the walk when reaching the canal and a dog friendly pub The Sun Trevor once you leave the canal.

You will need: Leads, dog bags, water for your dog.

The Walk

1. Dogs on leads to begin this walk. From the car head back in the direction you drove to pass the school on your left and at the bend in the road, which takes you over the canal take the right turn onto the canal tow path. There are toilets here, a café and water available for your dog.

2. Facing the canal, turn right and walk under the road bridge, keeping your dog on the lead until passing the house on the right. There is a busy main road on the right down below the steep wooded bank. If your dog has a tendency to run off in search of rabbits or squirrels you may wish to keep him on a lead a little longer.

Keep walking along the canal where peaceful narrow boats break the calm of the water. You will find that you receive lots of friendly greetings as they pass by. As the canal curves away from the road replacing the woodland with farm fields you can let your dog off the lead.

You will pass a raised bridge giving access over the canal for farm stock and vehicles to get from one side of the field to another. Once passing under a stone bridge and a house on the right of the tow path, listen out for traffic and get ready to put your dog back on the lead for a while. You will walk under a road bridge, when you feel it is safe you can let your dog back off the lead.

3. Just before the next bridge, put your dog on the lead and take the kissing gate up the path then left over the bridge. Cross the busy road and walk towards the pub. Dogs are welcome here and you may wish to take a break as the walk gets quite steep here.

Pass the pub and continue up the road looking for the public footpath on left directly after the pub. Climb the steps and then a steep incline all the way up turning left at the finger post where you should get your dog on the lead as you will meet with a quiet road.

Once reaching the road go left, through the gate beside the cattle grid. This road is very quiet but does have roaming sheep, so you may

need to keep your dog on a lead. Look left for views of Llangollen and ahead and left for the castle ruins Dinas Bran. Stay on this road where your dog will find water on the left at the clear stream. You will pass a house on the left and then as the road bends left passing another house on the left and a house on the right, keep to this road which inclines.

At the junction keep going ahead and not taking the road to the right. You have now joined the Offa's Dyke long distance path. Here you are really close to the exposed rock known as World's end on your right.

As the path starts to descend look for a gate and cattle grid on the left.

4. Go through the gate leaving the Offa's Dyke path and proceed downhill, passing a kissing gate on your right. Beware of concealed bend and listen for cars if you have your dog off the lead.

Continue down hill until you reach a house on the left. Pass the house and then take the gate into the field on the right. There may be livestock and so you may need to put your dog on a lead. Follow the fence line through a couple of gates then proceed between two fence lines, passing a stone barn on the left. Then passing a farm house.

There are views to your left then you pass a house on the right. The path ends onto a road where you turn left.

The road descends and when reaching a house go through a kissing gate and down the field keeping to the fence on the left. Once reaching a tar mac path follow to the road. Take the kissing gate on the opposite side of the road and proceed down hill on tar mac path passing the side of a school. Once reaching the road go right and back to your car.

Countryside Dog Walks - North East Wales,

With this book you no longer have to worry about carrying your muddy dog over any stiles. The book is full of colour photos highlighting the beauty of the North East Wales region. Easy to read maps and clear descriptive text will ensure peace of mind as you enjoy your walk. Stunning scenery, all breeds of dogs and happy dog walkers all make this book a pleasure to read.

Copies of the book have been distributed throughout the North East Wales region. They are also available online from the publisher's website:

. Tel:01824 704398

Countryside Dog Walks - North East Wales, Seddon Neudorfer £8.99, 978-0-9573722-0-7