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.
Clwydian Range at a Glance#
Address: Clwydian Range, north-east Wales (range spans counties)
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/places/clwydian-range-and-deeside
Admission: No admission (range)
About Clwydian Range#
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.
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.
Weather & Climate near Clwydian Range#
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 0° - 6° | -2° | 96 mm | overcast | 94% | 6.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 0° - 6° | -2° | 73 mm | overcast | 92% | 6.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.6h |
| March | Poor | 1° - 8° | 1° | 87 mm | overcast | 89% | 6.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 2° - 10° | 3° | 66 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.1 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Acceptable | 5° - 14° | 7° | 67 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.9 m/s | 1.1 high | 15.7h |
| June | Good | 8° - 17° | 12° | 73 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 10° - 19° | 14° | 66 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.6 m/s | 1.2 high | 16.2h |
| August | Good | 10° - 18° | 14° | 84 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.4 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 14.6h |
| September | Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 94 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.6 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 5° - 12° | 6° | 98 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.4h |
| November | Poor | 3° - 9° | 2° | 113 mm | overcast | 94% | 5.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 1° - 7° | 0° | 104 mm | overcast | 95% | 5.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |