Moel Famau

Moel Famau stands on the border of Denbighshire and Flintshire, the highest hill in the Clwydian Range. It is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty surrounded by well-preserved Iron Age hill forts. The hill gives its name to the Moel Famau country park, which covers over 8 square kilometres. Part of Offa’s Dyke long-distance footpath crosses the summit and the Jubilee Tower. Loggerheads Country Park lies nearby. The hill’s name comes from Welsh, with moel meaning ‘bare’ and fama referring to a personal name. The Jubilee Tower was built in 1810 to mark George III’s Golden Jubilee but was never completed. A storm in 1862 destroyed the upper part, leaving only the base. In 2010, local communities marked the tower’s bicentenary with a light and laser installation. The park is managed by Denbighshire Countryside Service, which maintains paths and provides visitor information. Visitors find well-marked paths leading to the summit from several starting points. The easiest routes begin at Bwlch Penbarras or near the Iron Age fort at Moel Arthur. From the top, views stretch across Denbighshire, Flintshire, Cheshire and Merseyside. On clear days, Snowdonia, the Irish Sea and even Liverpool and Blackpool Tower can be seen. The park’s heather moorland and dry stone walls add to the landscape, while wildlife such as red grouse and curlew may be spotted.