■Distance: 5 miles/8km ■Time: 2½ hours ■Grade: Easy
Located beside the lovely River Elwy in the lush Vale of Clwyd, St Asaph boasts the smallest cathedral in Britain, as well as being the second smallest city. There are some lovely walks beside the river and this route explores both the northern and southern banks. In the parkland look for black poplars, one of the rarest native trees in the UK.
1Start
From the car park go back to the road and turn L to pass the cathedral on your L. At the junction, cross to Mount Road and follow it around bends R and L to cross a bridge over the A55. Continue along this narrow lane with views to the Clwydian Hills R and Bodelwyddan’s marble church spire L. Pass a farm R and, just before the lane starts a steep descent, climb a stile R.
21 mile/1.8km
Follow the field’s L boundary to a stile then walk ahead through a gap in trees. Aim for another gap at a yellow arrow beneath a tall tree and continue ahead to a stile. Now walk downhill with a hedge on your R. Climb a stile to the R of a farmhouse and keep ahead through a small yard to take R wall). Turn L along the drive to a lane.
31¾ miles/2.9km
Bear L then immediately R up steps to go over a a gate (to open, lift it at the footbridge spanning the River Elwy. Climb up to the embankment and turn L. Follow it above the river, crossing a track and under the A55 bridge. After passing the livestock market and cricket ground, you’ll see an information board about the River Elwy and its wildlife. Continue with the river L, passing a bridge, and as you near the bridge into St Asaph, bear R to a road.
43¼ miles/5.1km
Turn L then L over the bridge and cross the road to enter parkland. Take the path R to the riverside, where you turn L to find an information
