Introduction

The Llyn Brenig Archaeology Trail is to be found on the quieter North Eastern side of this large and very beautiful reservoir. Most people head for the visitor centre car parks to make the most of the amenities to be found there, but there is a wilder beauty to the landscape The Archaeology Trail works a way over, plus the car park here is free – a great bonus!

The Llyn Brenig Archaeology Trail was developed by Welsh Water and Denbighshire Countryside Service to give the walker a circular route around several prehistoric burial and ritual sites as well as the earthworks of Hen Ddinbych and a group of post-medieval summer dwellings. The route traverses open hillsides, sometimes using obvious paths and sometimes crossing trackless ground, so choose a clear day of settled weather and don’t be afraid to turn back if the conditions change. The walk visits quite remote locations so make sure you are comfortable in surroundings such as this before you undertake it. You should take along Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 24 (Vale of Clwyd) and a compass – and know how to use them.

The route has information boards and marker posts but some are not as obvious or clear or as they have once been so take care to follow the described route carefully. A downloadable PDF to the route gives a lot of background to the sites visited and can be downloaded at www.cpat.org.uk/walks/brenig.pdf – it is a good idea to take it along with you.

Llyn Brenig Reservoir was built between 1973 and 1976 to provide water supplies to north-east Wales. It lies at a height of 1,200 ft/366 metres above sea level.

Things you need to know

  • Distance: 2.80 miles/4.50 kilometres
  • Time: Allow 2.0 – 2.5 hours
  • Start: The parking area is on the north-east shore of Llyn Brenig near the north end. It is south of the B4501 and signposted from this road. The parking area is accessed down a long rough track and the parking is free. The toilets at the car park are not in use
  • Grid Ref: SH 983574
  • Nearest postcode: LL22 8UY
  • Ordnance Survey Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer 264 – Vale of Clwyd
  • What to expect: Despite the short mileage this is a quite difficult and rough walk with plenty of ascent and descent involved. The route follows paths and tracks but there are some trackless sections so take the map indicated along (and a compass) and know how to use them. There are some stiles to cross and the walks traverses high ground and visits some remote locations so save it for a clear day of settled weather and turn around if conditions deteriorate. You should avoid the route altogether if you don’t like being in remote terrain. Wear boots and carry a rucksack with food, drink, waterproofs and hat and gloves. Views of Llyn Brenig are excellent
  • Suitable for: Most fit walkers should have no problems on this route. Families with older children will be fine as long as the youngsters are well supervised
  • Dogs: OK on a lead
  • Refreshments: Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre on the opposite side of the reservoir has a café. Otherwise Denbigh, Ruthin or Betws-y-Coed are all good locations

WALK DETAILS

START 

START – Exit the car park to the approach track and go right to follow the sign for ‘The Archaeological Trail’ passing through a gate by a cattle grid. Go ahead on the track passing a footpath left. Reach ‘Point 1’ on The Archaeological Trail for The Bronze Age Burial mound. Continue ahead on the track to ‘Point 2’ for The Ring Cairn. Now turn around and re-trace your steps down the track to the footpath passed earlier and go right over the stile following the signs for ‘Cyffylliog’ and ‘The Brenig Way’ and take the indicated path uphill aiming for a post above. Once you have reached this follow the line of posts to reach an information board for the seven summer houses on either side of the Nant Criafolen (stream).

Points of interest on this section:

1 – The Bronze Age Burial mound is known as Broncyn Arian and dates from 2,100 – 1,500 B.C. A large central grave has been excavated and also six sets of cremated remains two of which were in pottery urns.

2 – The Bronze Age Ring Cairn dates from around 2,000 – 1,500 B.C. and was originally built as a ceremonial monument surrounded by a circle of posts. Three cremations were found here.

3 – The Seven Summer Houses were built in the 15th and 16th Centuries probably by farmers who brought their sheep and cattle to these high pastures to graze in the summer months.

2) From the summer houses the way head south away from them with Llyn Brenig below right and a felled forest up left. A faint path takes you to the next post and you continue beyond it to the next post. Continue to curve left uphill to go ahead past another post aiming slightly left towards a windmill on the skyline and the felled forest corner. At the next post continue ahead towards the forest corner and a gate. Pass another post to go through the gate.

3) Follow the arrow on the post to go half left, cross a bridge and head uphill towards a post. Continue through marsh grass to go right at the next post and over trackless ground to reach an information board and a stone circle (platform cairn). Head for the post beyond it and follow the arrow half left downhill towards the top of a post and a information board above a valley and ancient settlement in it. Continue ahead up the valley towards the next marker post. Pass this and continue up the valley to cross a stile in a fence corner (near a gate). Now follow the line of marker posts over the valley floor to a point where the path splits. Go half right on ‘The Archaeological Way’ to continue to a Bronze Age Kerb Cairn marked by posts.

Points of interest on this section:

1 – The platform cairn dates from 1,950 – 1,650 B.C. and was originally built as a ring cairn with an open centre. The centre was later filled with stone to create a flat circular platform. The burial remains of an adult and child were found beneath the cairn near the south side.

2 – The settlement overlooked in the valley was Hen Dddinbych or Old Denbigh. The site is believed to date from the 13th Century and was built to overwinter sheep.

3 – The Kerb Cairn is Bronze aged was built over what may have been the site of a prehistoric hut.

4) Re-trace your steps back over the stile and back up the valley to the last marker post overlooking it. From here follow the arrow westerly towards Llyn Brenig and Snowdon (if visible) and when you see a marker post aim for it. Continue past it descending to the next post. Continue ahead to join a track by a post.

5) Go right on the track towards a derelict house. Descend to curve left and pass through a gate by a stile. Continue past the derelict house to pass through another gate by a stile. Follow the track to take the right fork at a junction. Continue to curve right and walk near Llyn Brenig. Soon pick up your outbound route near the ring cairn and continue on it back to the carpark.

Points of interest on this section:

1 – The derelict house passed is Hafoty Sion Llywdd which is a farmstead believed to date from the 18th Century. The house was rebuilt in 1881 and the date is inscribed on one of the window lintels.

A WORD OF CAUTION

Walking in the outdoors can be a strenuous activity and it is up to you to ensure that you are fit and healthy enough to undertake the route described and to approach the venture with caution and care. You should wear appropriate footwear and suitable clothing, take along food and drink plus carry the relevant map and a compass and be able to use it. The details given here are believed to be correct at the time of going to press. However, neither North Wales Magazine nor the author can accept responsibility for inaccuracies encountered.

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