Clwydian Range

Mountains Range of hills with heather moorland and Iron Age forts

A chain of hills in northeast Wales, the Clwydian Range offers waymarked trails, Iron Age hillforts such as Moel Famau and accessible upland walking popular among day hikers.

Main image

The Clwydian Range is a north-south chain of hills in northeast Wales, characterised by a series of steep ridges and open moorland. Its highest point is Moel Famau at 554 metres.

Walkers use the long, accessible ridgelines for day hikes and longer routes; Moel Famau is the most frequented summit, offering panoramic views from the summit area. The landscape also contains visible prehistoric features and scenic upland habitats.

The hills contain multiple prehistoric sites, including hillforts and other archaeological remains, reflecting long-term human use of the uplands. The range’s open landscapes have influenced local patterns of grazing and settlement for centuries.

The Clwydian Range runs through parts of Denbighshire and Flintshire in northeast Wales, lying to the west of the coastal plain and near towns such as Mold and Ruthin.

  • Summit landmark: The summit of Moel Famau features the partially ruined Jubilee Tower, a prominent landmark and viewpoint within the range.
  • Trails and protection: The range has long-distance walking routes along its ridgeline and is designated for landscape protection as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

What to See #

  • Moel Famau: Moel Famau - the highest summit in the range at 554 metres, topped by the ruins of the Jubilee Tower and offering expansive views across northeast Wales.
  • Hillforts and ridgelines: Hillforts and ridgelines - several prehistoric hillfort sites and long ridgelines popular with walkers form the core archaeological and recreational attractions of the range.
Clwydian Range
Clwydian Range, north-east Wales (range spans counties)
53.1833, -3.2500
No admission (range)

How to Get to Clwydian Range #

The Clwydian Range is accessible from the A494 and A541. Railway stations at Mold and Chester connect via local buses to trailheads. Parking is available at major car parks for ridge access.

Tips for Visiting Clwydian Range #

  • Walk sections of the Offa's Dyke or the ridge tops early in the day for clear views eastward across the Dee valley.
  • Wear weatherproof layers - the Clwydian Range is exposed and conditions change quickly.

Best Time to Visit Clwydian Range #

Spring and autumn combine good walking weather with fewer tourists; summer is busier but warmer.

Spring
Apr-Jun · 8-16°C
Bluebell season in lower woods and long days for ridge walking.
Autumn
Sep-Nov · 5-15°C
Clear, crisp days and vivid colors on slopes; quieter trails.

Weather & Climate near Clwydian Range #

Climate

Clwydian Range's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 0°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1021 mm/year), wettest in November.

Best Time to Visit
JuneJulyAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
28°
Warmest Month
-7°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

38 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

96 mm
Rainfall
6.4 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.9h daylight

February

February is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
6.5 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.6h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

87 mm
Rainfall
6.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.3
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
13.8h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
14°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

67 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
15.7h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
17°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
16.7h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 19°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
16.2h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

62 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 18°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

84 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
14.6h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

62 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

98 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.4h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (113 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

113 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.4h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
5.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.3h daylight

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