We firstly paid the parking fee then went to the small Clwydian Range Centre which is also a shop to get information on what walks they had. Armed with a small map of the area we started off. It was a sad but amazing site to actually see. Where there once was a river freely flowing it was now totally dried up.
There is a write up on the leaflet which says " Like many rivers over Limestone, the Alyn sometimes dries up when the river water is low. The river disappears underground, through swallow holes, down to underground caves and rivers deep below in the Limestone."
The dried up River Alyn.
We walked along the half mile River trail which took us past the pit and by the above photo we emerged with another trail which was Leete Path. Once on this path we then followed that all the way to Devil's Gorge.
Devil's Gorge.
The activities of rock climbing is also practiced here.
This is the view from underneath the bridge we were standing on in Devil's Gorge.
I couldn't resist the temptation of going into the Gorge and into the large hole in the wall to see what was in there. Imagination was running wild with the thoughts of Pirates and secret caves ooh arrr! Reality check yes I know we were a long way from the sea but still, the child within must come out to play as often as they can hey! Carefully we made our way down to the bottom.
This was really cool to explore in, we eventually got onto a lower path which took us past interesting areas.
This tree's roots I found stunning to photograph, it also reminded me of a part in the film The Neverending Story or was it Labyrinth? Anyhow it was the part where all the trees came to life walked and talked.
Both of us decided that maybe we should walk up the dry river back, this seemed like something out of Indiana Jones as there were parts that were overgrown with trees, small parts where there was water in the river using your wits to get you across dry and a small private area to sneak past without being seen. Eventually having walked on and off the river we were heading back to the cafe area rather than do an alternative one and half mile walk back along another track.
You may think that I may tend to talk alot about food but the truth is, when I get pains griping at me from hunger my energy levels get zapped and I can start to feel sick. After a refuel and fluids, my energy levels were back up, we decided to go back down the Leete track and join on to the one and a half mile that was also part of this that we missed.
The steep steps as pointed out on the map was the way up to the top, and boy steep they were.
They seemed to wind their way around and up through the trees, eventually I was on the flat path now.
To greet me was a lovely scene of what I'd call typical country.
A country view
Finally after following the path we came to the view point. We stopped and rested here for a while absorbing the view. There were other people also there having the same idea - one couple had taken advantage of the weather and were enjoying a picnic and sunbathing.
The view from the top.
With fluids replenished we ambled on, to find at nearly the end of the walk we were once again greeted by more steep steps to walk down.
We crossed over the small bridge with astonishingly plenty of water freely flowing in the River Dee.
We had arrived back to where we started at the beginning of our journey ( The Range Centre )
The place was getting ready to close, so in the shade of the large tree with seats around it we again stopped for a last drink before heading back home. Of course a last photo opportunity was grabbed with something I hadn't seen on the way in, which was the bicycle parking area. I was taken back by its coolness and amazement in design.
The bicycle stands.
Inside the park area.
This had been a great day out exploring somewhere that I hadn't been before. It would be good to go back again but in a different season to see the change.
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