The best hiking routes in Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape

The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape offers a distinct transition between the flat Cheshire Plain to the east and the rugged mountains of Snowdonia to the west. This area is characterized by a long chain of undulating heather-clad limestone hills in the north, which gradually gives way to the deeper, more dramatic river valley of the Dee in the south. Unlike higher mountain ranges, the summits here are rounded and accessible, crowned by a series of Iron Age hillforts that dictate the shape of the ridges. Walking here means navigating these high, open ridges or descending into the steep, wooded valleys and canal corridors around Llangollen.

Underfoot, the terrain varies significantly depending on your elevation. The high ridge paths along the Offa's Dyke National Trail consist mostly of hard-packed earth, loose shale, and exposed limestone, which can become slippery. In contrast, the lower valley sections near the River Dee and the Llangollen Canal feature flat, gravelled towpaths and damp woodland tracks. Heather and gorse cover the upper slopes, turning the hillsides a deep purple in August, while the lower valleys are dominated by ancient oak woodlands and pasture fenced by traditional drystone walls.

This landscape is ideal if you prefer steady, rhythmic climbing on well-marked paths rather than scrambling over bare rock. It does not offer high alpine peaks or deep glacial cirques, but rather a continuous chain of grassy summits and archaeological sites. The most popular spots, such as Moel Famau and the limestone cliffs of Eglwyseg, attract regular foot traffic, while the quieter moorland tracks to the south see far fewer walkers.