Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
The walk starts from the Aqueduct car park at Trevor Basin. The towpath crosses Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, 307 m long and 39 m above the River Dee, to Froncysyllte, and the walk comes back over the aqueduct the same way. Footpaths then lead south-east from Trevor into the Dee valley to Ty Mawr Country Park by the river, and the lanes of Cefn Mawr climb over Cefn Bank, with its viewpoint, before dropping back to Trevor.
It is 6.8 km with 108 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Easy.
The aqueduct's towpath is narrow, with railings on its outer edge only; on the other side the canal trough has no rail and its sides stand just 15 cm above the water, 39 m above the valley: keep to the railed side, and take care in wind or if you dislike heights. The towpath is shared with cyclists and boats pass close. Some of the lanes in Cefn Mawr have no pavement.
The Aqueduct car parks charge. The Trevor Basin has cafés in season.
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
- Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is 307 m long and carries the canal 39 m above the River Dee
- Thomas Telford designed it, with William Jessop supervising; it opened on 26 November 1805
- Railings protect walkers on the towpath side, but the trough on the other side has no rail and the sides stand only about 15 cm above the water
- UNESCO inscribed the aqueduct and canal as a World Heritage Site on 27 June 2009
Getting there
Start: Aqueduct car park, Trevor · Pay and display. 52.97347, -3.08728
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Aqueduct car park: 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.