Clwydian Range
The Clwydian Range (Welsh: Bryniau Clwyd) is a series of hills and mountains in north east Wales that runs from Llandegla in the south to Prestatyn in the north, with the highest point being the popular Moel Famau. The range is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty. Now that the AONB has been extended to include the Dee Valley around Llangollen, the highest point is now Moel y Gamelin at 1,893 feet (577 metres).
The summits of these hills provide extensive views across North Wales, to the high peaks of Snowdonia, eastwards across the Cheshire Plain, Peak District and towards Manchester and Liverpool to the northeast. The AONB has been extended to include the Dee Valley around Llangollen including the Horseshoe Pass and Castell Dinas Bran, extending the area to 150 square miles (389 square km).[1]
Contents
Geology
The Clwydian Hills are formed from an upstanding block of Silurian age sandstones, mudstones and siltstones. The range's rocks are intensely faulted; the major Vale of Clwyd Fault is responsible for the impressive west-facing scarp of the Clwydian Range. It downthrows the rocks to the west and separates the younger Carboniferous and Permo-Triassic rocks of the Vale of Clwyd from those of the hills.[2]
Archaeology
The range includes a number of hills possessing Iron Age hill forts, including (from the north) Y Foel (Moel Hiraddug), Moel-y-gaer, Penycloddiau, Moel Arthur, a second Moel y Gaer and Foel Fenlli. There are, as with many places in the west of Britain, a number of legends associated with King Arthur surrounding these hills.
There are a number of tumuli and cairns on the hills. [3]
Wildlife
A wide range of wildlife thrives in the range, including red kites and red foxes, which both prey on rabbits and voles. There is also one of the few Welsh populations of Black Grouse.
Recreation & access
The Offa's Dyke Path follows the Clwydian Range, although Offa's Dyke itself was not constructed on it. The Clwydian Way long distance footpath passes through the Clwydian Range, and the North Wales Path follows the foot of the scarp between Prestatyn and Dyserth. Moel Famau is the focus of a country park established in the range.
List of summits
| Peak | Elevation (ft) | Grid reference | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Elmo`s Summer House | 784 | SJ084817 | Sub HuMP |
| Gop Hill | 823 | SJ086801 | TuMP |
| Moel Hiraddug | 869 | SJ063782 | TuMP |
| Mynydd y Cwm | 1,001 | SJ073767 | Marilyn |
| Moel Maenefa | 948 | SJ087744 | Sub HuMP |
| Moel y Parc | 1,306 | SJ119700 | Sub HuMP |
| Penycloddiau | 1,444 | SJ127678 | Marilyn |
| Moel Arthur | 1,496 | SJ145660 | HuMP |
| Moel Gyw | 1,532 | SJ171575 | Marilyn |
| Moel Famau | 1,821 | SJ161626 | Marilyn |
| Foel Fenlli | 1,677 | SJ164600 | Marilyn |
| Moel Llys y Coed | 1,526 | SJ151654 | TuMP |
| Moel y Waun | 1,352 | SJ171541 | Sub HuMP |
References
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