Llangollen 24
On 19th July 24, Zoe Jai and I attended a revised Llangollen trip. I led this trip before, in July last year but was not part of the planning, I was more babysitter, logistics and safety.
However, the trip was completed but needed a plan A, B and C. It turned out that it was poorly planned despite Jai and me pointing out several errors, nevertheless it ended up being successful trip.
This year, I Planned the trip with a plan A, B and C and allowed for adjustments along the way.
We arrived on Friday after a 4-and-a-half-hour drive through heavy traffic and on the hottest day of the year so far.
After setting up camp for the night and a photoshoot, Jai and I decided to trek up the hill to view the castle Dinas Bran remains and take some pics of the surroundings from a vantage point.
We came back less than 2 hours later, and we all chatted and relaxed as we cooked our dinner and discussed the next day.
Jai and I were paddling the canal, and Zoe was cycling the towpath.
The route was almost 16 miles and we planned 5-mile breaks, the first being at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the second just after the Chirk tunnel and aqueduct, our end of trip was the Narrowboat Inn, Whittington.
This trip is not for paddleboarders or inflatables unless they are prepared to deflate or to tow their board across the Pontcysyllte aqueduct as paddling them or carrying them is prohibited due to the height of the structure and the wind.
A 15+ mile trip is also not suitable for anyone who lacks the fitness to complete it as in some areas the bank is inaccessible from the water.
Cycling is ok from Llangollen to Whittington but be aware that the last section from the bottom loch to Whittington (3 miles) you will have to push your bike through thick bush and the pathway is unmaintained and very muddy.
The pathway from Whittington bridge downstream is unnavigable even for hikers and the locals warn anyone attempting that to rethink.
Not far after the Chirk lift bridge the route becomes boring to be honest, with a massive noisy factory on the left and a few long straight sections that lead to the upper and lower locks that would have to be portaged with a difficult get-in the other side, unless you have a windlass and are in a group prepared.
What made this last section for Jai and me was seeing a massive Owl flying from one side, downstream to the other. And then seeing the last bridge of many and the pub.
The Pontcysyllte stop has everything you may need for a stop, great coffee and refreshments as well as snacks for the journey if you need them, a great visitor centre with lots of history and great views as well as toilets.
Be prepared for the tunnel about 1Km after the Aqueduct, a headtorch and whistle are needed to enter as well as a clear view through.
The Chirk tunnel is next followed by the aqueduct immediately after, a great rest point if you have supplies already as this is not a visitor centre and has no amenities.
A little past here you will come to a lift bridge that may need a portage and a bit further along a bridge with a pub on the left and some lovely, stepped gardens on the right, this is the 10-mile marker and a great place to end the trip.
We arrived at the Narrowboat Inn at 4.30pm after setting off at 09:45 am. (We stopped at the Pontcysyllte aqueduct for 45 mins and Chirk for half an hour.) so, 15.52 miles easily achieved in 5 and half hours.
Next year’s trip will be refined again, to make it even better and more accessible to all paddlers.
Over to Zoe.
After a long gruelling trip to Llangollen, it was a relief to finally arrive at our campsite which would be our home for the next 2 nights! Lovely campsite with beautiful scenery.
A lovely evening with food, drinks and good company and it was soon time to settle down looking forward to the day ahead.
Waking up the next morning it was pleasing to see that it was dry and not raining which had been on the original forecast.
Once at the get in point, Dave and Jai kitted up whilst all I had to do was make sure I had my backpack filled with essentials and a rain mac just in case! After they entered the water, I took a couple of photos then decided to pedal ahead of them on the canal path leaving them for dust!
I haven’t been to Llangollen before, so all the scenery was new to me and it was good to cycle at my own pace stopping occasionally to look around or to take a short break (being a novice cycler).
I met up with them both at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, arriving at approx the same time as I had taken a detour trying to find my way back to the canal path after the bridge. In hindsight I should have just stopped at the bridge and waited for Dave, he then could have just carried my bike up the steps and over it!
The views from the Aqueduct were amazing and whilst the lads paddled their way over it, I pushed my bike as the path is narrow and you are not allowed to cycle over.
Arriving at the Chirk tunnel ahead of them, I took a short rest break, camera ready for when they finally came into view! Headtorch on and again I had to push my bike due to the bridge being low and cyclists being told to dismount.
The Chirk Aqueduct followed and was also picturesque.
We decided that from that point, I was just going to cycle ahead and meet them at the Narrowboat Inn unless there was for any reason, I needed/wanted to stop and wait for them to catch me up!
Whilst most of the public footpaths were great to cycle, the last 3 miles were nowhere near as pleasurable. The paths were narrow, overgrown and for the majority of it, I could not cycle them. I plodded on however, cursing a lot of the time, every time one of my pedals caught my leg whilst pushing my bike!
With the pub in view, and one last big effort carrying my bike up the steps to the bridge, a toilet break and glass of wine were in my reach. The barmen and regulars congratulated me on my efforts and said they would not even attempt to walk the last part, let alone try and cycle it! (Lessons learned)
Dave and Jai appeared a while after and seemed to have disliked the last stretch as much as I had. They both looked very worried when I walked up to them as they were getting out and said, “You are lucky I am still talking to both of you”!
Back at the campsite we all took a walk into the village for a well-deserved portion of chips before meandering back for a few drinks and chats about the day.
It was a great trip, and we were all pleased with our achievements and even more pleased that we had no aches or pains in the morning!
Over to Jai.
Awaiting Jai’s memories.