The Dee Valley Way

Another  visit to Wales this week to walk the Dee Valley Way. 13.5 miles 2000ft ascent following the valley, from Carrog eastwards, to the Pontycysyllte aqueduct.

The walk starts from the village of Carrog which is the western terminus of the Llangollen steam railway

The river Dee flows alongside the station

 After crossing the bridge the path leaves river and climbs steeply into the green hills of the Llantysilio Mountain

Whilst not high hills they are nevertheless grand for walking through with some lovely views....

.....and attractive plant life  

Leaving the hills behind the route descends again to the river ......

.....and follows it to the weir at the Horseshoe falls 

The water held back by the weir forms a reservoir to feed and keep a steady water level in the Llangollen canal which starts here

 

The canal is quite shallow and narrow to start with and very suitable for this rather precarious activity!!

 

 

Continuing down river I passed the Chain Bridge Hotel named that way for obvious reasons 

Now passing through the main street of Llangollen

My walk ended by crossing the Pontysyllte aqueduct.... 

It's the longest and highest aqueduct in Britain and can be crossed either by walking or on a canal boat trip

It crosses very high over  the Dee valley....

  

and is over 1000ft  in length 5ft 3in deep.....

   .....and an awful long way down!!

This was a great day's walking and full of interest but probably my last trip to Wales until the holiday season is over. Whilst no holdups so far, the M56 into Wales & M6 south of Preston are getting increasingly busy