Maria’s Love Chester article

Posted August 4, 2026

Our Publicity Officer, Maria, submits a monthly article to Love Chester magazine, relating to a club walk.

A ridge too far
Being based on the Wales/England border, Chester Rambling and Hill Walking Club are surrounded by hiking options in all directions. Cheshire, Wirral, Derbyshire, Shropshire and North Wales are all do-able for a day’s walking. What a variety this offers – meadows, hills, mountains, valleys, riversides and coasts! The added bonus of a ruined castle or other historical site can often turn an already lovely walk into something really special.

One such walk took us to Corwen, in the Dee Valley. The Berwyn Mountains overlook the town from the south, and the Llantisilios dominate from the east. Catching the eye of inquisitive walkers is a lesser hill marking the westernmost end of a ridge between the Dee and Morwynion Valleys. Always on the lookout for a new hiking route, my other half and I headed up there this spring to check it out. As a bonus, the OS map indicated the presence of an ancient hill fort called Caer Drewyn, which promised great things in terms of historic interest and fantastic views! Unusually, the route came together nicely with a single reconnoitring trip, and we subsequently led the walk for the group on a recent warm sunny Sunday.

Our starting point was a car park in the town centre. After crossing the Dee we followed a footpath along the disused Corwen to Ruthin railway line. We shortly left this to climb steps to a rough track that forms part of the Dee Valley Way. Soon, we deviated right, along a waymarked path to Caer Drewyn, and this was where the climbing really began!

Captivating views on the way up made the perfect excuse to stop every now and then to catch our breath. A grassy path diverted us straight up the hill to the top of the ridge, where the ancient fort stands. From this high point, at roughly 300 metres above sea level, we could now see the Clwydian Hills away to the north, making it the ideal opportunity for a breather, a drink and a few moments of historical and panoramic appreciation!

Unlike most Iron Age hill forts in the region, Caer Drewyn has few obvious earthworks and ditches. Instead, an outer ‘rampart’ of collapsed dry stone walls mark the site of this once powerful fortress. It’s not located on the highest summit along the ridge, but this spot was probably chosen for its unhindered view across the Dee and Alwen valleys. Built in around 500BC, the site was used defensively by the Medieval Welsh Princes who guarded their lands against English rule. These days, the fort is a tranquil and beautiful place, and a haven for weary hikers. On that summer’s day we lingered perhaps longer than we normally would for a mid morning break. All too soon we moved on, heading down a track to follow a course along the lower hillside, with the Dee flowing in the valley below us.

This undulating path took us towards the woodlands at Coed Bryn Hir. Along the way, a convenient grassy embankment presented itself as an ideal alfresco picnic stop overlooking the Dee Valley. Sunday lunch at its very best, in my humble opinion!

Once through the woods, we turned left along the lane as far as Cil-eurich Farm, to pick up a bridleway that’s my favourite section of the walk. Perched along the ridge with views on both sides, this ancient track could well have been used by drovers. Leaving the old byway we descended to Pont Swil Farm. From here, a track led us to a grassy footpath down into a dip and steeply up again, to rejoin the Dee Valley Way. Beyond here, the track hugs the lower hillside to head west back towards Corwen.

We used some less familiar footpaths on this 8-mile B grade walk, enjoyed many spectacular views, and saw hardly any other walkers apart from fellow members all day. What better way to spend a sunny Sunday?