Clywedog Trail

The Clywedog Valley Trail runs from Minera Lead Mines to King’s Mill. It is an easy to follow waymarked path along the river helping you to enjoy the natural beauty of this peaceful valley and uncover its rich history.

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The River Clywedog has always been the lifeblood of the valley, watering crops and livestock since early times, powering corn mills and driving industrial machinery.

During the 18th and early 19th centuries the river was truly the powerhouse of the area, running 17 mills along its length – fulling mills to prepare cloth, mills for grinding corn and malt, and paper mills. Huge waterwheels powered the bellows blasting air into the iron furnaces at Bersham, and drove winding and pumping machinery in the lead mines.

The population grew dramatically as the industrial revolution drew workers to the Wrexham area, serving the rapidly developing coalmines, lead mines, limestone quarries, ironworks and lead smelting works. There was a neverending demand for food to feed the rapidly increasing workforce. The fertile Clywedog floodplains had always provided rich pasture and corn but, to meet the increased demand, new corn mills were built and additional areas of woodland were cleared for growing crops. When steam power took over in late 19th and 20th centuries new industries no longer needed to be sited close to the river. New technology and cheap imports from overseas gradually saw the demise of the Clywedog industries.

Today the Clywedog has returned to nature but still plays an important part in the life of the valley, as a place for wildlife and relaxation. Several of the old buildings and surrounding land are now museums, visitor centres and riverside country parks – Minera Lead Mines, Nant Mill Visitor Centre and Picnic Area, Bersham Heritage Centre and Ironworks and Erddig Country Park.

Walking is relaxing and good for your health, so why not enjoy a walk exploring the Clywedog Valley. The trail is suitable for small children. Buggy pushers will have to be fit and able to cope with some mud and about 10 stiles. However, there are long stileless sections - phone Nant Mill for information on 01978 752772.

Wheelchair users with strong assistance could try the Nant Mill to Bersham section as far as Offa's Dyke, or possibly even further - see Walk 5 in the Disabled Access to the Countryside booklet for more information

Further Information

BUSES: Minera, Coedpoeth and Kings Mill are well served by buses. Telephone: Travel Enquiries on 01978 266166.

The Clywedog Trail

The Clywedog Trail leaflet is available to download in the following format:

The Clywedog Trail - PDF version 713Kb

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Gallery

These are pictures that have been taken whilst walking this route. To view a larger version, please click on the picture or the text.

Big Wood Weir
Big Wood Weir
Photo by Elizabeth Jones

Big Wood Weir
Photo by Jan Bridson

Big Wood Weir
Photo by Jan Bridson

Russian Steps weir in Plas Power Wood
Russian Steps weir in Plas Power Wood
Photo by Graham Williams

Russian Steps weir in Plas Power Wood
Photo by Jan Bridson

Path in Plas Power Wood

Photo by Elizabeth Jones

Corbel in porch of St Mary's Church, Bersham

Photo by Graham Williams

Jacob Sheep by the Trail in Minera
 River Clywedog After Heavy Rain

Photo by Jan Bridson

Big Wood Weir after heavy rain on 5 September 2008

Big Wood Weir after heavy rain on 5 September 2008
Photo by Mark Riley

Beautiful shot of Big Wood Weir

Beautiful shot of Big Wood Weir
Photo by Alan and Jan Harding

Big Wood Weir 2

Big Wood Weir 2
Photo by Alan and Jan Harding

Caeau Bridge

Caeau Bridge
Photo by Alan and Jan Harding

Fun in the river by the Russian Steps

Fun in the river by the Russian Steps
Photo by Alan and Jan Harding

Fungus

Fungus
Photo by Alan and Jan Harding

Glistening water at Russian Steps

Glistening water at Russian Steps
Photo by Alan and Jan Harding

Greenery in Caeau Wood

Greenery in Caeau Wood
Photo by Alan and Jan Harding

Railway bridge by Felin Puleston

Railway bridge by Felin Puleston
Photo by Alan and Jan Harding

River and path at Nant Mill

River and path at Nant Mill
Photo by Alan and Jan Harding

River at Russian Steps

River at Russian Steps
Photo by Alan and Jan Harding

River Clywedog at Nant Mill

River Clywedog at Nant Mill
Photo by Alan and Jan Harding

River Clywedog in Plas Power Wood

River Clywedog in Plas Power Wood
Photo by Alan and Jan Harding

Russian Steps 2

Russian Steps 2
Photo by Alan and Jan Harding

Spring woodland

Spring woodland
Photo by Alan and Jan Harding

Tranquil Woodland

Tranquil Woodland
Photo by Alan and Jan Harding

Water gushing over the Russian Steps

Water gushing over the Russian Steps
Photo by Alan and Jan Harding

River Clywedog between Big Wood Weir and the Russian Steps

River Clywedog between Big Wood Weir and the Russian Steps
Photo by Bill Buck CPAGB

River Clywedog between Nant Mill and the Big Wood Weir

River Clywedog between Nant Mill and the Big Wood Weir
Photo by Bill Buck CPAGB

Snowdrops in Plas Power Wood

Snowdrops in Plas Power Wood
Photo by Bill Buck CPAGB

Send us your photos!

Email your favourite digital photos taken on this walk - a selection of the best will be used to illustrate this walk page. Your name will be credited to the pictures. People, buildings, landscapes, wildlife - all sorts of images will be considered, as long as they are taken on the walk. Be sure to state on which walk your photos were taken. See disclaimer. Send to rightsofway@wrexham.gov.uk.

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