Ty-Coch to Froncysyllte via Llanymynech and Chirk Mill

We climbed up Llanymynech Hill, the end of the limestone outcrop that includes the Great Orme. This was mined for minerals and for the limestone itself, but it has now been turned into an attractive nature reserve. At the top of the hill there is yet another golf course, home of Ian Woosenham. We went through Porth-y-waen and Nantmawr (mining villages like Llanymynech, but now quite attractive) then climbed up to the top of Moelydd; there were super views from here.

At the top of Candy Woods we emerged onto the former Oswestry racecourse (Oswestry itself is to the east); the only horse here now is the double-headed Janus Horse, looking towards England in one direction and Wales in the other, but the walking was very attractive. There is no path over Baker's Hill, so there was a rather tedious section of road walking before we turned back onto a path alongside Offa's Dyke, following a rather unsuitably dressed couple and their teenage son.

We climbed around Selattyn Hill to Craignant, then a climb gave us splendid views to Chirk Viaduct and, further to the west, to Chirk Castle. The descent to Chirk Mill was very steep and so somewhat uncomfortable, especially in the knowledge that we had to go several kilometres beyond Chirk Mill, and to climb again.

We had hoped to take the permissive route through the grounds of Chirk Castle, but it was after 5pm and we were slightly worried that it would be shut - and besides which we couldn't find the path! So we took the official route further to the west; this climbed through woodland, but then descended slowly with super views to Chirk Castle. We survived a 'bull in field' then walked along country lanes, taking a short-cut down Stryt y Veri, thereby missing the final section of Offa's Dyke itself. We crossed the A5 and walked down to Glencoed, which is right next to the Llangollen Canal.