The Clwydian Range rises immediately to the east of Ruthin — a 35-mile ridge of heather moorland and limestone grassland forming the skyline you see from the town square. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (and now part of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB), it is one of the most accessible and rewarding pieces of upland landscape in Wales, with excellent waymarked walking, abundant wildlife, and the kind of views that reward the climb immediately and extravagantly.
The Landscape
The range runs north-south from Prestatyn on the coast to Llangollen in the south, a ridge of Silurian sandstone and limestone reaching its highest point at Moel Famau (554m). The upper slopes carry heather moorland — at its best in late August when it turns purple — with areas of acid grassland, bilberry heath, and upland bog. The Iron Age hill forts that crown several of the higher summits — Moel y Gaer, Moel Arthur, Penycloddiau — are among the most impressive in Wales, commanding positions that make the strategic thinking of their builders immediately comprehensible.
Moel Famau
Moel Famau — "Mother Mountain" in Welsh — is the highest point of the range and the most visited. The Jubilee Tower at the summit, begun in 1810 to mark the 50th anniversary of George III's reign and never completed (the original obelisk was blown down in a storm in 1862 before the project was finished), marks the top. The main car park at Bwlch Penbarra is the most convenient starting point for the summit, but the walk from Ruthin via Moel y Gaer is more rewarding and less crowded.
Wildlife
The range supports a good population of red grouse on the heather moorland, as well as peregrine falcons nesting on the rocky crags. Merlin breed on the upper heaths in summer. The limestone grassland on the lower slopes has a diverse flora including rare orchids and the kind of plant communities that have been lost from much of lowland Britain. The Clwydian Way passes through all of these habitat types.
Getting onto the Range from Ruthin
From the town centre, head east up the hill and follow the footpath network onto the ridge. The Bwlch Penbarra car park (free) on the B5429 east of the town is the most convenient starting point for Moel Famau if you want to drive to the hill rather than walk from Ruthin. The Offa's Dyke Path runs along the ridge and provides the clearest waymarked route.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest point of the Clwydian Range?
Moel Famau at 554 metres (1,818 feet) is the highest point of the Clwydian Range. It is topped by the remains of the Jubilee Tower, an Egyptian-style monument begun in 1810 to mark the golden jubilee of George III, partially demolished in an 1862 storm.
Is the Clwydian Range an AONB?
Yes, the Clwydian Range was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1985. It covers 160 square kilometres of upland heather moorland, pastoral valleys and ancient woodland along the eastern edge of Denbighshire.
What wildlife is in the Clwydian Range?
The Clwydian Range supports red grouse, peregrine falcon, merlin, ring ouzel and curlew on the upper moorland. The lower slopes have woodland birds. The heather moorland is managed for conservation and turns vivid purple in late August and September.