Top Five Winter Walks Near Ruthin

There’s a saying in North Wales that the hills remember more than we do — and around Ruthin, you can almost believe it.

Winter walking here does more than clear the lungs; it recentres you. The light lands differently, the tea tastes stronger afterwards, and every path feels like it carries a quiet story.

1. Moel Famau – “The Mother of the Hills”

A local icon, her name translates to Mother of the Hills — and she has looked after generations of walkers, poets, and quiet thinkers. The Jubilee Tower at her summit was built in 1810 to celebrate King George III, though folklore says it didn’t last long thanks to overly joyful builders. The view? Worth every step, celebration or not.

A view near the top of the great hill

2. Loggerheads Country Park

Its name comes from a boundary dispute between two landowners who were, quite literally, at loggerheads. Today, the only arguments are over the last slice of bara brith in the café. With limestone cliffs, woodland trails, and riverside paths, it’s a favourite for families — especially dogs who are convinced they’re on an expedition.

A colourful woodland around this time of year

3. Ruthin Castle Grounds

Once home to the infamous Lady Grey — executed under Henry VIII — the castle now leans toward happier tales. Peacocks now wander where knights once fought, and the woodland paths make for a gentle stroll before something comforting at No.11.

The peacocks keep watch over our towns castle

4. Llyn Brenig & Alwen Reservoir

A little further out, but well worth the drive, Llyn Brenig and neighbouring Alwen offer vast open skies, mirror-like water, and the kind of quiet that settles your thoughts. Whether you choose the woodland loops around Alwen or the longer trail circling Brenig, it’s the kind of winter walk that gives you space — to talk, to think, or simply to breathe. On still days, the reflections are almost too perfect; on windier ones, there’s a satisfying wildness to it all

Extra points for spotting the infamous Brenig Ospreys

5. Snowdonia National Park

We’ve saved the most challenging for last — and perhaps the most rewarding. Just over an hour from Ruthin, Snowdonia (Eryri) feels like another world: dramatic peaks, shifting weather, and a sense of scale that reminds you how small — and alive — you really are. Whether you take the well-trodden Llanberis Path to Yr Wyddfa’s summit or explore quieter trails around Capel Curig or Cwm Idwal, this is walking at its most elemental. In winter, it’s not for the faint-hearted — but with the right gear, a clear forecast, and a flask of something warm, it’s unforgettable.

Not for the feint hearted

As Alfred Wainwright said, “The mountains are calling and I must go.”

Here in Ruthin, they don’t shout — they gently nudge… and if you listen closely, they’ll probably suggest a good pub to end at.