23.07.15
Castell Dinas Brân (SJ 222 430)
Castell Dinas Brân (SJ 222 430) |
The annual get together
with John and Anne Nuttall was hosted by John and Jenny this year at Mold, and
our first planned walk was just north of Llangollen next to the limestone
escarpment that stretches toward Worlds End.
We parked at
approximately SJ 233 431 beside the narrow road that winds its way around the
southern and western section of the limestone escarpment. This pull in spot has sufficient space for
about five cars, as do other places beside this road.
Although we only had one
summit objective, Castell Dinas Brân, the walk that John
and Jenny had devised would take us around a variety of paths, many affording
beautiful views.
We set off down the lane
in an easterly direction and turned sharp left onto a path that gained height
overlooking the edge of a quarry whose sheer sides blended in with that of the
limestone escarpment. From this vantage
point Castell Dinas Brân stood out as an almost symmetrical green sided hill of
small tree, fern and grass with its easterly path snaking its way up to the
remains of Dinas Brân which is the Iron Age hillfort dating from approximately
600 BC. Beyond are the remains of the
Castell perched atop the hill with its stone walls now forlornly looking out on
the Vale of Llangollen.
Heading up toward the escarpment edge |
The easterly path snaking its way up from the critical bwlch to the summit of Castell Dinas Brân |
At the quarry edge |
The path soon left the
escarpment edge and continued up on grass toward open heath and moor. The grey sky gave a backdrop of summer colour
as the land toward the north-west became partly illuminated with sunbursts,
with the greens of fields cast against the dulled browns of higher lands with
Moel y Gamelin the centre piece on the horizon.
Heading toward the open hillside of heath and moor |
Sunburst on part of the limestone escarpment |
Moel y Gamelin |
A patchwork of hill colour from greens to browns |
Following the path with Mynydd Eglwyseg in the background |
We left the main
moorland path and headed down on steep ground beside a small stream for a sit
down to have lunch. By now the sun was
illuminating the land and with a backdrop of grey sky the colour bounced out
from parts of the limestone outcrop which had copious amounts of fern as foreground.
Deep grays and greens of summer |
The view from our lunch stop |
After crisp butties we
continued down and spent a few minutes watching a climber on the limestone
outcrop as he manoeuvred his way up.
Spread-eagled his body toyed with foot placements as first one, and then
another was tried before his upward progress continued.
On the rock |
Spreadeagled on the rock |
The path led down toward
part of the Offa’s Dyke Path which we then followed as it re-claimed height. Above us rose limestone cliffs with their
squared-off sides cast down to scree, above lay greenery and the higher
desolate moor. With the sun giving
warmth we could have been walking in parts of southern France. Few places in Wales can compare to this part
of the country, as this whole limestone escarpment is one of wonder.
The limestone escarpment |
One of the great stretches of Offa's Dyke with the steep gradient above and valley views below |
Our route toward Castell
Dinas Brân now left this wonderful path and we walked down through a
field where playful cows ran back and forth.
We then entered a wooded path where butterflies gently darted and
toadstools grew. We soon emerged onto
another field and aimed for a gate which gave access to a lane and a path next
to the steep western slopes of Fron Fawr, which I had once ploughed my way down
many a year ago.
On the wooded path |
Tree fungi |
Thankfully we stopped
beside a picnic bench where I lay out in the sun, scoffed another butty and
proceeded to have a snooze. After 15
minutes of laziness we continued, away to the west Coed Hyrddyn looked down
upon the Valle Crucis Abbey, unfortunately the unsightly proximity of a caravan
park negates the impact of the tranquil surrounds of this Abbey.
We left the path to join
a lane which took us to a field from where Castell Dinas Brân
loomed ahead. Its slopes looked steep
but a good gradient path helped the ascent.
As height was gained the surrounding land opened up with views down to
Dinbren Hall which is a Georgian Manor House and dates from 1779. This house is prominent in the valley and
nestles below a 200m Twmpau hill.
Castell Dinas Brân looming overhead |
Dinbren Hall, nestled and secluded within tranquil surrounds |
The 320m spot height on Ordnance
Survey maps is positioned within the walls of the Castell, and as we arrived at
the top of the hill John, Graham and I started our inspection for the highest
ground. This we found close to the
walls, but outside of their compound to the east overlooking where we had
parked our cars and the hill’s critical bwlch.
An artist's impression of Castell Dinas Brân |
Once the point had been
determined I set the Trimble up and gathered five minutes of data. The walls of Castell Dinas Brân
that now remain on the summit probably date from the mid 1200’s and had
association with the Princes of Powys.
Although the hill is not the highest hereabouts its central position in
the valley and its prominence gives it a dominant feel, this is enhanced with
the castle’s remains, which can easily be seen from afar.
The Trimble perched on the high point of Castell Dinas Brân |
The ruined walls of Castell Dinas Brân |
Gathering data at the summit of Castell Dinas Brân |
Our last point to survey
lay to the east, down the hill’s snaking path, in a close crossed grassy patch
of land which constitutes this hill’s bwlch.
Graham used his Abney level and two walking poles, sighting from one to
another, to determine the approximate position of the critical bwlch, and once
decided upon the Trimble gathered another five minutes of data.
Gathering data at the critical bwlch of Castell Dinas Brân |
All that remained was a
walk back on the lane to the awaiting cars.
It had been a wonderful walk with lots of variety and good company. As we headed back to John and Jenny’s I
looked forward to the evening’s meal and tomorrow’s walk which took us to a
part of Wales I hadn’t been to before; Point of Ayr, and its now neglected
lighthouse which stands firmly placed on its expansive sands with the Gronant
Dunes and Talacre Warren overlooking its lonely position.
The lighthouse on the sands of Point of Ayr |
Survey Result:
Castell Dinas Brân
Summit Height: 321.4m (converted to OSGM15)
Summit Grid Reference: SJ 22283 43075
Bwlch Height: 225.3m (converted to OSGM15)
Bwlch Grid Reference: SJ 22667 43189
Drop: 96.2m
Dominance: 29.92%
Dominance: 29.92%
For further details please
consult the Trimble survey spreadsheet click {here}
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