Woodland walk with a view: Moel Famau circular
A scenic 2-hour loop in North Wales with peaceful forest trails and wide-open views from the summit
Start: Moel Famau Lower Car Park (CH7 5SH)
Distance: 4.26
Elevation: 850 feet
Duration: >2 hours
Difficulty: Easy-moderate
Navigation: Follow step-by-step on komoot, or download GPX file
About the route
Looking for a short but satisfying walk with forest calm and a big view at the top? This circular route up Moel Famau — the highest hill in the Clwydian Range — is ideal for a half-day outing. Starting from the lower car park, the route gently climbs through a mix of conifer woodland and open hillside before reaching the Jubilee Tower at the summit.
You’ll get cracking views over the Vale of Clwyd and Snowdonia on a clear day, and because it’s a relatively short route, it’s doable even if you’ve only got a couple of hours to spare.
Ideal for: beginner hikers, families, solo walkers, or anyone who just fancies a bit of elevation without a full day commitment.
Route difficulty
Walk type: Easy to Moderate — the incline is steady, with well-maintained paths all the way.
Terrain: Gravel trails, woodland paths, and grassy slopes near the top.
Accessibility: Not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs due to the gradient.
Dog-friendly: Yes — dogs are welcome on leads, though be aware of sheep on the upper slopes.
Why you’ll love this walk
🌲 Woodland calm – The initial forest section is quiet, shady, and peaceful — perfect for those who like a bit of forest bathing.
🏔 Big views, low effort – It doesn’t take long to feel like you’re on top of the world. The summit view is surprisingly expansive for such a short walk.
🏰 Historic summit – The Jubilee Tower ruins at the top are a unique feature — originally built to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of George III.
🐾 Great for dogs – Plenty of variety, sniffy woodland, and wide-open space to explore (just keep leads handy around livestock).
📸 Photo spots – The summit is very photogenic, especially with light catching the hills and heather in late afternoon.
Route highlights
Moel Famau Forest Trails
The lower slopes of the walk are tucked into the Moel Famau Country Park, with a network of woodland trails that weave through tall pines. It’s peaceful, well-signed, and great for warming up before the ascent.
Jubilee Tower
The partially ruined tower at the summit is a popular viewpoint — built in 1810 to mark George III’s 50-year reign, but never finished due to lack of funds. Now it’s a scenic perch with panoramic views over North Wales and even out to Liverpool Bay on a clear day.
Panoramic ridge views
From the summit, you’ll get sweeping views of the Clwydian Range, the Dee Estuary, and the peaks of Snowdonia in the distance. It’s especially pretty at golden hour when the hills take on a purpley-gold hue.
Things to do nearby
Loggerheads Country Park – Just a 10-minute drive away, this riverside park offers more woodland walks, limestone cliffs, and a visitor centre with café and loos.
Ruthin – A charming market town with a castle, independent shops, and plenty of places to grab lunch or a coffee post-walk.
Llangollen – Around 30 minutes away, this pretty town on the River Dee makes a great add-on for the day with canal walks, a steam railway, and good pub grub.
Getting to the starting point
By Car
Set your sat nav to Moel Famau Lower Car Park (CH7 5SH). Parking fees apply. The roads up are narrow in places, so take it slow on the final stretch.
By Public Transport
Public transport options are limited. The closest rail stations are Mold and Ruthin, but you’d need a taxi or bike to reach the start point from there.
✔️ Good to knows
Footwear: Walking boots or grippy trainers — the path is mostly solid, but can get slick after rain.
Facilities: Toilets at the car park. Closest cafe facilities can be found at Loggerheads or Mold.
Best time to go: Early mornings or late afternoon for quieter paths and beautiful light.
Map: Moel Famau is part of the Clwydian Range AONB — worth grabbing an OS Explorer 265 if you want to explore more of the area.
🧭 Following the route
I use komoot and OS Maps for offline navigation. To follow the full walk step-by-step on komoot, simply click this link here or download the GPX file and upload it to your chosen app, such as OS Maps.
