Breeze the Vale of Llangollen

A circular route starting from Chirk cycling along the Llangollen canal and then climbing up to ride the “Panorama Walk” giving super views across the Vale of Llangollen followed by a fast descent back into the town and returning to Chirk via the canal tow path.

The Detail: A short ride from the car park in Chirk quickly takes us to the shared cycleway / footpath (cycle route 84) along the Llangollen canal where there will be plenty of canal boat users and canoeists plus the local wildlife to keep our interest along the way. After passing through the Whitehouse tunnel shortly after Chirk we quickly come to Thomas Telford’s Pontcysyllte aqueduct built.

The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and 11 miles of the Llangollen canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pontcysyllte’ (pronounced Pont – ker – sulth – tay), is the Welsh name for ‘the bridge that connects’
Designed by Thomas Telford and Williams Jessop, the aqueduct was completed in 1805, and is a result of some bold civil engineering solutions. A cast iron trough suspended 126 feet above the river, supported iron arched ribs, carried on 18 hollowed masonry pillars…….and we will cross this twice! Don’t forget your camera for some great photo opportunities! Due to its narrowness, we will need to walk our bikes across and be adept at passing people coming in the opposite direction!

Shortly after passing the Trevor Basin, we walk our bikes along a short section of public footpath to Trevor and the start of our climb to gain the “Panorama Walk”. We can go at our own speed and recollect at the top. It takes ~10 mins to walk up – I know as that’s what I did!

The “Panorama Walk” is a joy to cycle with great views across the valley. We’ll need to watch out for stray sheep and pheasant crossing our path! A gradual and then a rapid descent takes us down to the main road where we immediately join the tow path (route 84) to take us to the Chain Bridge Hotel for a coffee & cake stop. From here we ride back along the tow path to Chirk.

This is a challenging ride and only suitable for experienced and confident cyclists due to the terrain which involves steep ascents (max. 10%) and descents (max. 11%) on narrow, twisty, country lanes with wildlife running about! Good bike and brake control is required. We will do all of this in a controlled manner! The total ascent & descent is 750’ (228m).

The terrain on the canal tow path is flat throughout with an excellent hardcore compacted surface most of the way. The first mile or so from joining at Chirk is a mix of gravel / compounded earth.

BUT THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES!
If you do not fancy walking along the aqueduct, you could meet the group at the end of it at the Trevor Basin (car parking available).
If you do not want to climb & descend the “Panorama Walk”, you may continue cycling into Llangollen along the tow path, unaccompanied by a Breeze Leader. You would then join the group for lunch and the return journey.

Please ensure you have a road worthy bike, along with a spare inner tube of the correct size for your bicycle wheel. Are your brakes in good working order?
Don’t rely on a puncture repair kit. Experience shows it’s far quicker to simply change out for a new tube then do your repair work at home! Don’t panic about punctures, we can help if needed.

It would be useful, but not essential, to have lights on your bike or to bring a head torch for the short section of the Whitehouse tunnel.

Cycle Helmets are compulsory.
We never leave anyone behind.
*** Any questions you would like to ask, please do not hesitate to get in touch.***