The Halkyn Mountain Common audio trail

Join North Wales Wildlife Trust on an audio trail to explore Halkyn Mountain Common, one of Wales' largest common lands. Once a thriving hub for lead mining, this remarkable area is now home to rich grassland habitat essential for a variety of wild flowers, insects, reptiles, and birds.

Wander through this expansive landscape shaped by centuries of human activity, and discover its industrial past and natural beauty taking in panoramic views of the Clwydian Range and Dee Estuary.

Know to before you go:

Start of audio trail and parking: B5123, Holywell CH8 8DJ Google maps or What3words: scanty.proceeds.ankle

Take the B5123 road out of Halkyn village towards Rhosesmor. After approximately 600 meters from the Blue Bell Inn, you'll find a gravel layby on your right, offering parking for your walk (SJ 208 700)

Distance: 2.6 miles/4.2 km Duration (including audio): Around 2.5 hours

Access: This trail features hills and uneven terrain that can be boggy in winter. Sturdy walking boots are recommended. While you are free to explore the open Common please stay to well-used paths and keep dogs under control due to freely grazing livestock and ground-nesting birds. OS Explorer Map: 265.

Caution: The Common is dotted with capped mine shafts in varying conditions, some of which can be deep and vertical. Please report any re-opened shafts to the landowner, Grosvenor Estate. The Estate Manager, Eaton Estate Office, Eccleston, Chester CH4 9ET Tel: 01244 684400

To begin: 

Download the illustrated route map. Follow the trail and when you reach the numbered points marked on the map simply click the relevant audio clip via the links below.

Click to download map

(optional)

Download audio trail script 

Download full audio

Directions are provided at the end of each track to guide you to where you can listen to the next instalment of the audio trail. Feel free to pause the audio at any time to take in the views, so let’s begin...

With the road behind you, take the grassy path bearing left. Follow the grassy path below the power lines, and before reaching the cottages ahead play audio clip 2.

As you reach the cottages turn left onto the single-track tarmac lane to reach the main road. Turn right to pass a bus shelter and post box. Take the second right along the gravel track just before the 40mph road signs.

Where the track forks keep right and then immediately left along the grassy path to reach a grassy cross junction. Take the second right and follow the path, climbing uphill to take in a wonderful panoramic view of the surrounding landscape at the top of Moel-y-Gaer, here you can play audio clip 3.

Retrace your steps back to the grassy junction and take the second right downhill. Follow the grassy path through the gate, passing several houses on your right. Before reaching the church take a sharp right and taking care, follow the road through the cattle grid gate. On your right you’ll see a stone structure and a bench, here play audio clip 4.

Continue past the lime kiln and take the 1st right after the farm building. Your next stop is beside the first layby on your right along this gravel track. Taking care of the road. Here, play audio clip 5.

Follow the gravel track, passing several houses on the left. As the track ends beside Bryn-Tirion. Join the grass path ahead between the two telegraph poles. Here, play your next audio clip number 6, where storyteller Andy Harrop-Smith shares the tale of the ‘Coblynau’ or the fairy miners.

Continue ahead on the grassy path towards the cream detached house. This section can be boggy, if so, take a diversion path on your right. Turn left at the grassy junction downhill. Then take the first right towards the road you can see rising over the brow of the hill.
Don’t join the tarmac road. Instead take a right in front of the chevron road sign and along the gravel track. When the gravel track bears right, continue ahead onto the grassy path to reach the next stop with the large pond on your left. Play audio clip 7.

Continue along the grassy path gently downhill. Before you reach two ponds either side of the path with the lumps and bumps of old mining spoil ahead. Here play audio clip 8.

At the cross junction, take the uphill meandering path to the right. The wide grass path will take you back to the beginning of the trail.

A special thank you to the residents of Halkyn Mountain, the Halkyn Mountain Nature Conservation Group and The Holywell and District Society, for their input helping create content for this audio trail.

This project is funded by the Nature Networks Fund.

It is being delivered by the Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Welsh Government.