50th Anniversary Walk – Prestatyn Hillside walk

Route detail

Overview                        A leisurely incline along a disused rail line followed by gradual climbs through wooded paths, country lanes and short exhilarating ascents to reach narrow hillside pathway along parts of the return journey.

Distance short:             5.9 miles / 9.4 km

medium:       6.5 miles / 10.3 km

linear:            4.6 miles / 6.7 km

Start Grid Ref:               SJ 06435 82961

What Three Words:        https://w3w.co/crossing.attend.inherits

Begin your adventure on the corner of the market grounds, opposite the bus station on Gas Works Lane. Turning your back on the town centre head along a narrowing street, which peters away, blending into a cycle track. Taking the path to your left meander your way between housing toward the start of the wonderful traffic free Prestatyn to Dyserth Way that forms part of the longer North Wales Path and lose yourself in thoughts of the past, along the old railway line that is now a wonderful wildlife corridor filled with hubble bubble banter from friendly passers by.

Allow plenty of time to indulge in nibbles at the path side cafes and take time out to explore the wonderful Y Shed at the heart of Meliden, where an old stone building is now a community hub with café, shop and exhibition space.

Leaving the embrace of Prestatyn and its outlying settlements, enjoy views over coastal communities and gentle reminders of previous engineering escapades amongst the rocky outcrops. Cling around the National Trust Graig Fawr hillside and, for the short route option, at the road bridge leave the old rail line and venture upward on a path wrapping its arms around the hillside, through bluebell woodland until you reach the top and the gate set in the stone wall. (1) For spectacular panoramic coastal views take a detour along the hilltop and toward the trig point before retracing your steps to this stony wall fingerpost.

If taking the longer routes options, continue along the old railway line where the serenity of wildlife commands a depth of ownership for this historic rural ribbon. (2) Passing beneath the next stone bridge, climb the steps to the left, leaving the path and bearing right to join a beautifully narrow country lane, continuing ahead and upwards at the staggered crossroads until you reach the stone wall finger post and meet the short route option (1) Here take the detour across the hilltop toward the trig before picking up at this point again.

As both routes merge, follow the road a short distance to the village of Bryniau and, as the road forks, turn left to pick up Offa’s Dyke Path which soon dips away into meandering woodland paths. As the trees gradually fall away the full expanse of Prestatyn Hillside Nature Reserve opens up, revealing hilltop coastal views of your route ahead. Clinging to the hillside meander through golden gorse, marvel at the dinky dwelling and climb high before descending toward the warmth of the sea, along an avenue of golden waymarkers welcoming you into the community and celebrating your achievement. Head out to the coast and the Offa’s Dyke Path monument stone before dipping our feet in the sea, remaining here or heading back into town for a well earned refuel.

For a longer route option take the old railway line all the way to Dyserth and drop down to the lower town to explore the Dyserth Waterfall and its network of community routes before rejoining the railway line and on your return, leaving the path at the stone bridge to pick up on the middle distance route option (2).

Alternatively, If you fancy a linear exploration, take a bus to Dyserth High Street and head upward along the road until you reach the start of Dyserth to Prestatyn Way, leaving the old rail line at the stone bridge (2).

Notes/transport to the start

Parking

Parking available within public car park, near the rail station, in the centre of Prestatyn.

Bus

Take a bus to Dyserth for a linear route that takes in the return along the old railway line to the stone bridge where it picks up the middle route navigation.

Train

n/a