Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
The walk starts from the Pavilion car park on the west side of Llangollen, beside the canal. It follows the towpath west up the Dee valley, part of the Llangollen History Trail, to the Horseshoe Falls, the curved weir on the River Dee that Thomas Telford built in 1808 to feed the canal. A path climbs by St Tysilio's church at Llantysilio and over the hill to the ruins of Valle Crucis Abbey, founded in 1201, and tracks and the canal path lead back to Llangollen.
It is 6.8 km with 74 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Easy.
The towpath is shared with cyclists. The path over the hill to the abbey can be muddy and has some steep ground, and there are short stretches of lane without a pavement. The abbey ruins are looked after by Cadw; the walk goes by them and does not enter.
The Pavilion car park charges. Llangollen has cafés and pubs, and the Llangollen Railway's Berwyn station is a short walk from the falls.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- The Horseshoe Falls is a weir on the River Dee, 140 m long, built by Thomas Telford and finished in 1808 to feed the canal
- The last 2.7 km of towpath from Llangollen to the falls is closed to motorised boats because there is no room to turn
- The canal, the aqueduct and the weir have been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009
- Valle Crucis Abbey was founded in 1201 and was the last Cistercian monastery built in Wales; Cadw looks after the ruin
Getting there
Start: Llangollen Pavilion car park · Pay and display. 52.97463, -3.17734
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Chirk: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line is drawn along OpenStreetMap paths and the figures are worked out from it; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.