​Chirk circular, 9 miles (03/05/23)

Attendees; A.Dulson ,A.Sear ,P.Cotterill,J.Rutland ,H.Jones ,R.Jones ,D.Thomas,D.Peters,D.McDonnell,

A.Walton M.Sadler (11)

Walk started in fine weather passing through Chirk canal tunnel (421m) aided by torches we all made it through and on to Chirk aqueduct with impressive views of the Ceriog river below.

After leaving the canal we followed paths alongside the river under the aqueduct and railway viaduct and on to a steep forest path before reaching the entrance to Chirk castle estate .

After admiring some ornate gates at the estate entrance we followed the estate roads to the path to th entrance of the castle .

Lunch was taken here by castle entrance on some picnic benches with excellent views all round

After lunch we followed the estate road back out on to lanes that took us to the Offa's Dyke path which we followed back to the canal with excellent views of surrounding area with its viaducts and aqueducts .

We passed through the shorter Whitehouse tunnel to our finishing point back at railway station .

We then walked the 8 minutes to the Stanton hotel which I mistook as the station hotel which didn't meet with some of groups requirements had run out of real ale so some moved 200 yards to the Hand hotel .

It turned out mark needed a hand to find the Hand hotel despite giving him directions and went walking off in wrong direction

But all worked out well in end and we all made the 1604 train

Weather was great everyone enjoyed the day so they say

A.Dulson