1. For this survey of 'Flisho 2' I walked from Flint to Shotton. This photo shows the exit from Platform 2 (from Chester/to Holyhead) of Flint station, the start point of the walk. It is step-free access from the platform to the exit. There is also step-free access from Platform 1 (to Chester/from Holyhead) to the street, but no step-free access between the platforms (you must go around via streets). 0 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
2. This is the footbridge from platform 1 (further) to 2 (near) at the western end of Flint station. 0 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
3. This is the footbridge between platform 2 (near) and 1 (far) at the eastern end of Flint station. 0 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
4. This is the pedestrian exit from Flint station towards the town. Both a ramp with handrails (left) and steps with handrails (middle/right) are available. 0 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
5. The pedestrian route becomes a minor road that emerges onto the main road through Flint. The route shows a direct crossing here towards our onward path (straight ahead). However, it is wiser to use the pedestrian crossing at the traffic lights to the right. 0.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
6. The pedestrian crossing (puffin type) is at a set of lights just a short walk along a protected pavement. 0.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
7. Sydney street has wide pavements with a gentle slope uphill as you move away from town. All kerbs have wide drops to let you cross the street (forgot to photograph). At the top the pavement curves left past a couple of benches. 0.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
8. The kerb cuts on Chapel St all have tactile paving, some of which appear to be freshly installed. 0.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
9. This is the view from the same spot, looking across the road. While there are road crossings further along Chapel St it felt safest to cross here and avoid the upcoming traffic junction. Tactile paving and kerb cuts are found on both sides of the road. 0.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
10. This is the view from the same spot looking further up Chapel St. As it curves around to the left it becomes a one way street which can lead to some confusion amongst drivers. There is another kerb cut crossing (no tactile paving) just around the corner. However, since we need to take the road up to the right it makes more sense to cross here. 0.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
11. After turning up Prince of Wales Ave we need to cross Allt Goch at a dropped kerb with tactile pavement. Continue ahead uphill. 0.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
12. A bit further up Prince of Wales Ave you pass the vehicular entrance to Ysgol Gwynedd primary school. At certain times of the day this crossing is very busy. Kerb cuts have tactile paving. 0.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
13. Turn right after passing the school into a small cul-de-sac with houses. Kerb cuts have tactile paving. Pavements are narrow but are found on both sides. 0.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
14. At the top of the cul-de-sac is a slalom gate onto a public access path. The gap between the posts is 113cm. 0.9 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
15. This gate partially blocks the paved path into a park. It is 152cm from the gate to the green fence, of which ~110cm is on pavement. 1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
16. The paved path winds uphill through the park, reaching this bench close to the top. 1.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
17. Another bench is at the top of the hill. 1.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
18. When the park path reaches the road, a slight detour is needed to use kerb cuts. 1.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
19. Crossing Coed Onn Rd to continue the route onto King Edward Dr (to the right in this photo) requires crative use of driveways if you need a kerb cut. 1.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
20. Turning left out of King Edward Dr onto Fifth Ave requires navigating around protruding hedges. 1.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
21. Turning onto Tudor Ave from Fifth Ave again requires the use of driveways if you need dropped kerbs. Pavement is available on the right-hand side of Tudor Ave. 1.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
22. At the top of Tudor Ave is a kissing gate into a wheat field. There is no alternative gate option. 2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
23. The path along the edge of the field is well used by locals and dog walkers. It is about a foot wide (30cm) and was hard-baked mud when I visited. 2.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
24. At the top of the field the path splits; we go left. 2.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
25. In the corner of the field is a kissing gate (no other option). The path here becomes increasingly stony. 2.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
26. The path continues through shaded woodland. It is hard mud with varying amounts of stone. Foliage is abundant but the way is reasonably clear. 2.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
27. After a short while we reach a T junction, which is the access road for the farm house you can see in this photo. If you need to leave the path, go let. We continue straight/right. 2.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
28. The route continues past the farmhouse, taking a hard right turn just after this point. The path is hard mud with varying amounts of leaf litter. 2.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
29. After the path turns right, it narrows due to overgrown foliage. It is still reasonably easy to pass, however. 2.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
30. The path quickly broadens out, remaining mostly hard-packed mud. Roots and stones of varying sizes are frequent potential trip hazards. 2.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
31. The field fence on the left-hand side disappears after a while, leaving a steep drop-off full of prickly plants. 3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
32. The right-hand side is equally steep, with the embankment held back by tree trunks and roots. Although reasonably dry when I passed, there is clear evidence of previous land-slips, and extreme caution should be taken after heavy rain. 3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
33. After a slow left turn you descend to a small brook, which you hear before you see. It is quite muddy right against the brook sides, but crossing is possible with care by passing behind the tree to the right, holding on to it and stepping on the large stone protruding into the brook. The bank on the far side at this point was dry. Again, extreme care is needed after any substantial rainfall (the brook is shallow but was burbling along at some speed when I visited). 3.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
34. Immediately after crossing the brook, the path starts rising uphill again, quickly reaching this set of stone 'steps'. This may be classed as a Grade 1 scramble, as you may need to use your hands to steady yourself while climbing. I suspect these rocks will be quite slippery when wet. 3.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
35. Above the rock steps the path reaches a T junction. We go left. 3.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
36. The path here becomes very uneven, with an almost 45deg camber across it in places. There are also prominent roots presenting a trip hazard. 3.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
37. Even flatter sections of the path are littered with hazards like large stones and roots. 3.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
38. The path becomes increasingly steep as you continue, with evidence of mud/rock flows downhill in heavy rain. This section is the steepest of the whole walk in this direction. 3.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
39. As you enter Flint Mountain you reach the steepest section of the walk in this direction. You also find a large hole in the path (?rabbit). 3.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
40. The path became increasingly overgrown. However, one of the locals was out with a saw trimming back the foliage, so conditions may vary. 3.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
41. At the top of the path you join a paved road which is considerably flatter. 3.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
42. The paved road is in fair to middling condition, and is a spur road for a few houses. 3.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
43. The spur road joins the main road Y Waen, where pavements resume. Keep left and continue up Y Waen to the abandoned school. 3.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
44. At the abandoned school turn left up a farm track. The green walker arrow is just about visible through the tree in front of the bin. 4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
45. At the top of the track, just before the gate on your left, is a style into a grassy field. This style has 2 steps. 4.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
46. The path continues forward clearly in the grass. 4.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
47. The field opens up and the path bends round to the right, but remains clear. 4.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
48. A footpath continues off to the route through the trees, but we go forwards through the kissing gate. 4.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
49. After the kissing gate the path becomes a bit less obvious, but bends round to the right and downhill towards the bridge in the back corner. 4.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
50. In the corner of the field is a bridge across a small brook. Leading to the bridge is a wooden path covered in metal chicken wire. There are 7 steps onto the bridge. 4.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
51. There were animal tracks in the mud alongside both the bridge and wooden path. Although I didn't see any farm animals when I visited, there were cow pats in the grass in the field ahead. 4.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
52. A metal pole stands at the end of the bridge, presumably to stop farm animals from using it. The smallest gap between the pole and the bridge rail was 33cm. Just after I passed, a local dog walker trimmed back some of the foliage protruding onto the bridge on the right-hand side. There are 6 steps up to a fairly steep mud path into the next field. 4.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
53. You emerge into a large field on a hill, where the path isn't very obvious. Go straight ahead (slightly darker grass) up and over the hill to exit the field. In this field I found cow pats (but no cows), suggesting encounters may be possible. 4.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
54. At the top of the hill you will see a stone style next to a metal farm gate (straight ahead in this photo). 4.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
55. A better view of the gate and style, as well as the path quality beyond. 4.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
56. The farm's drive joins the road in a T junction. If walking towards Flint there is no green walker sign to direct you down the farm's drive. Walking towards Shotton, we go left in this view (southwest) along the road. 4.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
57. The road reaches another T junction, emerging from the left in this view. The intended route turns right (behind the viewer in this photo); see photo 59. If the path through the next field is blocked, one option is to follow Starkey Ln straight ahead in this view (see next photo for details). 4.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
58. Starkey Ln bends round to the right; the gate with the 'dead end' sign is down that way. There is in principle another option via the public access path through the farm to the left. However, when I visited it was so overgrown I couldn't leave the first field. 4.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
59. The route continues into a field. When I visited the style was lost in the hedge, but there is a gate slightly further down the road. 4.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
60. This is the gate into the same field. When I visited there was no viable route through the growing crop, so I diverted along Starkey Ln and up into Northop. As that route requires crossing 50-60mph roads, I would recommend going the other direction along Starkey Ln (with the 'dead end' gate) if you are in the same situation. 4.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
61. Further along Starkey Ln is a public access path through a cow field. Starkey Ln doesn't have much traffic, but like most country roads it can move quite quickly, so keep your wits about you. I have since learned (from Google Streetview) that you can take Starkey Ln up to the main road (Northop Rd) and walk along on the pavement if you wish to avoid the cows. 5.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
62. Access into the cow pasture is via a stone step/style. 5.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
63. The stone step is narrow, with a steep drop beyond and very little to hold on to. I imagine it will be quite slippery when wet. 5.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
64. Walk straight ahead and then bend to the right, avoiding the tall grass marking wet ground. There is no clear path in the grass. 5.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
65. In the back right corner of the field is a kissing gate, into a grass field. 5.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
66. When I visited the grass field was recently cut and drying, but a path appeared to be possible along the hedge line. The dark green stripe running across this view is a small brook with steep sides; just to the left of this view is solid ground (tractor path) which can be used to cross it. Ultimately you are aiming straight ahead. 5.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
67. This is the tractor path around the small brook (to the right, in this view). 5.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
68. The brook is under the large tree in the middle of this view. I have just crossed the tractor path. 5.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
69. Continue through/around the grass field. There is a style straight ahead, but the path beyond is so overgrown it may not be usable. There is a gate round to the right for tractor access, which leads to a paved driveway up to the main road. 5.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
70. This is the style out of the field. At the time I visited it was probably still usable with care. However, the path beyond (which leads up to the main road to the left) was so overgrown you would need to cut your way through to use it. I also couldn't find the exit point on the main road when I passed it later. 5.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
71. This was the state of the public access path when I visited. 5.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
72. This is the pair of gate and paved route out of the field. The metal gate closest to us must be climbed. The gate at the top of the road can be ducked under (padlocked shut). 5.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
73. From the paved drive you emerge onto the Northop Rd. The pavement on the far side of the road starts just to the right of this view (if you walk up here from the Starkey Ln junction, there is a pavement on this side of the road until that point, with a kerb cut on both sides for you to cross). 5.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
74. Follow the pavement up to the roundabout at the top of the hill. 5.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
75. At the first roundabout the slip road (from the A55 and nearly blind) has kerb cuts in the pavement, but they aren't very wide. 6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
76. Over the bridge and you must cross another sliproad (this one onto the A55). Again, there are kerb cuts but they aren't very wide. 6.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
77. Once into Northop you are on pavements alongside 30mph roads. There are food options and bus stops here toward Flint and Mold. Due to traffic levels it is best to used the puffin crossing by the Red Lion pub to cross Northop Rd. I continued down and right towards Connah's Quay Rd., but if you take the road off to the right in this view (Church Rd) it ends at a pedestrian path which will take you to the A55 bridge. 6.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
78. Going via Connah's Quay Rd requires a short walk along a road with no pavements (the puffin crossing is just behind me in this view). 6.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
79. You reach Connah's Quay Rd via a narrow strip of pavement, which continues round to the left until the A55 bridge. This is a 40mph road with moderate traffic levels. 6.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
80. The bridge over the A55 is straight ahead. If you take the pedestrian route from Church Rd you will come out onto Connah's Quay Rd. along the path to the left. If you have walked along Connah's Quay Rd., there is a useful bench just down this path. 7.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
81. The bench is just beyond the kissing gate, in the shade. 7.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
82. After the A55 bridge the pavement ends and there is a short walk along a grass verge. This road is the driveway to a farm, as well as a public access path, which joins up with the intended route at the most southwesterly corner (bottom of the 'u' shape). There is no pavement on Connah's Quay Rd between here and Smithy Ln, and the road becomes 50mph further along with hevy vehicular traffic, so walking along it is strongly discouraged. 7.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
83. Part way down the drive is a tractor path into a field with no gate. This is the field we need to enter. A kissing gate is found slightly further along the drive if the gate is closed. 7.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
84. This is the kissing gate through the hedge, just in front of the farm entrance (brick pillar). 7.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
85. The tractor path follows the hedgeline. 7.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
86. You shortly reach an open gate into another field. If you have followed the intended route from Starkey Ln, this gate is where you will rejoin this photo log. 7.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
87. Same spot, view from the intended direction of travel. A wood post with green walker arrows is just about visible in the hedge, indicating that walkers should continue on the far side of the hedge (the side I was already on). 7.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
88. The baked mud path continues between the hedge and the planted rows of corn. 7.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
89. The path leads to a stile in the back corner of the field. 8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
90. The stile is partially overgrown, but still visible and usable. It has a single wood step. 8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
91. You emerge into a mud patch in the corner of a grass field. Although hard and dried when I visited, I imagine this corner of the field could be tricky after rain. The path disappears at this point - follow the hedge on your left towards the long grass in the corner. 8.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
92. This is the patch of long grass in the corner of the field. A weak trample path was visible when I visited but that will depend heavily on local usage. You are aiming for the trees in the background. 8.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
93. There are no waymarkers to indicate this route through the hedge, just a hole - which I imagine may close over later in the year. 8.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
94. The hedge path is narrow but passable by ducking. Mind your head on the branches above. 8.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
95. Again we are in a grassy pasture with no path. Keep following the hedge line, which will bend round to the right in the distance. 8.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
96. The grass gets denser at the back of the field, but in places there are signs of previous walkers. 8.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
97. As you follow the hedge back round to the left you approach a stand of trees. You will start to make out a wooden pole with a green and yellow arrow on it (middle of this photo). 8.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
98. When I visited the path through the hedge was severely overgrown with brambles, stinging nettles and thistles. The wood you can see is a fence around a stile, but it is having little effect against the greenery. 8.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
99. When you finally get through the prickly barrier, the stile beyond is a small wooden single step model. 8.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
100. The path out of the hedge has plenty of greenery but is far less prickly. 8.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
101. You emerge into a wheat field, which may have a path around the outside but when I visited it was full of waist-high thistles. We need to travel straight ahead here. The green stripes in the field appeared to be tractor tyre paths which have infilled with younger plants. I was able to follow them across the field by gently moving plants out of the way to avoid trampling them. 8.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
102. On the other side of the field you emerge into a wide tractor path which you can follow towards the left to a metal gate. It was propped open when I visited. 8.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
103. On the far side of the gate is Starkey Ln. This view is of the lane coming down from the 'dead end' gate mentioned before. It is very shady, with damp mud and large stones. 8.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
104. This view is of Starkey Ln, heading towards Connah's Quay Rd. The official path continues through fields via another large metal tractor gate (to the left in this view - straight across from the gate out of the last field), but as I had had enough of prickly vegetation I decided to bypass those fields and stick to the main road. 8.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
105. Connah's Quay Rd is a 50mph main road with moderate vehicular traffic (often small lorry-sized). There is a grass verge (sort of) for most of the stretch between Starkey Ln and Smithy Ln (where we rejoin the intended route), but you must keep your wits about you and preferably wear a hi-vis. The route through the fields emerges onto the road at the white signs ahead on the left. We are heading for the road on the right (smaller white signs). 9.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
106. This is the view from Smithy Ln, looking towards the public access path exit from the fields (green arrow marker to the left of the small tree, middle of view). Cross Connah's Quay Rd with care (50 mph road with two 60mph local roads meeting in an offset 4-way junction). 9.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
107. While there is a sliver of pavement on the corner of Smithy Ln, it ends at the road name sign. The route continues on the road until the next field. 9.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
108. There is a green walker sign pointing to a stile on the left-hand side of the road, but the gate beyond accesses the same field step-free. 9.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
109. This is the stile into the field. It was partially overgrown when I visited, with a grass and mud path behind it. 9.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
110. This is the vehicular entrance to the field, which when I visited had cut grass drying for hay/silage. There are no formal route markers, but I followed the tractor path ahead. 9.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
111. After the first field there is a tractor-sized gap in the hedge into the next one. 9.9 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
112. The route continues into another field, which when I visited had tractors at work. There are multiple public access paths out of these fields into the housing estates of Northop Hall, and I took the first one via a metal gate in the hedge (this view is looking back at the gate, which has a yellow/green arrow pointing to the left on it). This public access path is mostly high grass, but it is passable. 10 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
113. A view along the path from the same spot, looking towards Northop Hill. The path is clearly used by local walkers. 10 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
114. The path takes an obvious detour around a blocked and overgrown section, then continues as a mud path uphill towards town. 10.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
115. As you approach the housing estate you encounter a metal stile with a side opening. Not clear why it's there. 10.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
116. Beyond the stile the path returns to grass, but remains clear. 10.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
117. At the housing estate there is a metal stile and a jog in the path, which becomes paved. Follow the pavement up Alun Cl and out of the housing estate onto Village Rd (also has pavement). 10.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
118. This gate is an alternate public access path from Village Rd (just before St Mary's Cl, not the rear of the close as shown on maps) into/out of the fields. It joins up with the intended route by the school playing fields. I continued down Village Rd towards the junction with Bryn Gwyn Ln, where the intended route joins it. 10.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
119. This is the view from Village Rd where Bryn Gwyn Rd joins it (on the left). The intended route continues down Village Rd to the right. 11.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
120. A bench and (limited) bus stop are available on Village Rd opposite the junction with Bryn Gwyn Rd. 11.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
121. A (limited) bus stop is available in the other direction on the opposite pavement of Village Rd. 11.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
122. Past the junction with Wepre Ln, the pavement on Village Rd (B5125) becomes very narrow. Although the speed limit is 30mph vehicles still feel like they're moving very fast next to you. It is also worth noting that the B5125/Wepre Ln route is a popular with commuters travelling between Connah's Quay and the A494, so care is needed when crossing the road. An alternative option is to use the public access path next to the Black Lion pub further up Village Rd. 11.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
123. At the bridge over Wepre Brook the pavement disappears, and you must walk in the road up to the gravel drive visible ahead on the right. At certain times of day this will be impossible, and at most times of day traffic coming down the hill from Ewloe will have limited ability to see you due to the shade/sunlight. Do not be tempted to walk up the hill in the road to the mini roundabout. 11.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
124. The path across to Chester Rd is packed gravel, and starts as someone's driveway with black and yellow chains across them. 11.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
125. At the back of the drive to the left of the garage is a pass-through in the hedge. 11.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
126. You then emerge onto the pavement along Chester Rd, which you can follow up to the mini roundabout at the top (straight ahead in this view). 11.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
127. This mini roundabout carries 60mph traffic to/from Ewloe (straight ahead) and Northop Hall along Chester Rd (the one I'm standing on), and 30mph traffic down to Northop Hall along Village Rd (ahead and to the left, behind the white sign). As such it can be very busy at certain times of the day. However, once across the roundabout and past the parking strip, there is pavement all the way to Ewloe Castle. 11.9 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
128. The turn for Ewloe Castle is well signposted. 12.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
129. Entrance to Wepre Park/Ewloe Castle is via a kissing gate to the left of a farm gate (no radar key). 12.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
130. The path in this section is compacted small gravel and mud. 12.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
131. Further up the path we have another kissing gate (again no radar lock on the gate). 13 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
132. The paths through most of Wepre Park are compacted mud with intermittent gravel. Specific hazards will be shown when encountered. Our route heads down to the left (route to the right ends up in the same place - it's a circular path around Ewloe Castle, which is just visible through the trees). 13 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
133. The route down past the castle has a particularly high number of tree roots. 13.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
134. The path is very shaded and as it bends around the castle this dip was clearly trapping water. A dry-ish route was possible to the far left of the mud when I visited. 13.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
135. The path down from the castle into the rest of the path was via a long flight of gravel steps. These have a long run and short rise. 13.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
136. As the path levels off you cross a wooden bridge over Wepre Brook. There is a bench overlooking the brook just beyond and to the right of the bridge, but there were people on it when I visited, so couldn't take a photo. 13.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
137. There are sign posts at every intersection of paths through the park. Continue towards Shotton by following the signs for the Visitor Centre. 13.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
138. A bench in the shade of a tree, just beyond the intersection. 13.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
139. Another bench, a bit further along the path before the next path junction. Also note the occasional root poking out of the ground into the path. 13.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
140. Next junction with direction arrows. There is also a picnic bench off to the right, and a normal bench to the left, just past the sign. 13.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
141. The intended route carries on the dirt path above the Wepre Brook, but you can also follow the riverside walk down this wooden ramp and return to the main route just before the waterfall. 13.9 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
142. Intended path continues straight ahead, past the wooden ramp. 13.9 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
143. As you get closer to the Connah's Quay end of the park, more side routes appear. To continue on this walk head straight ahead. To see the gardens, go left. To see the waterfall, go right. 14.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
144. The visitor's centre offers loos, snacks and information about the local wildlife. Be sure to check opening times before you go as I only just managed to get in before they shut. 14.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
145. The path out of the park is asphalt and normally vehicle-free (they were setting up for a special event when I passed through). 14.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
146. There is one small rubber speed bump on the path/road, but as the people in front of me demonstrated, there is room to go around it. 14.4 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
147. There is a small pedestrian path off to the left of the paved drive just before the fence, which ends in this swing/kissing gate on Wepre Park. It can be avoided by continuing along the drive to the vehicle exit. 14.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
148. The route continues down Wepre Park, which is a 30mph road with pavements on both sides. The intended route diverts down this bridleway (I'd like to see a horse get through that swing gate!), which is very hard to spot behind the overgrown bush when walking downhill towards it. Look out for the brick pillar and large metal gate which guards a driveway. Alternatively, you can continue walking down Wepre Park to the High St and walk along that directly to Shotton station (end point of the route). 15.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
149. A close-up of the gate in the last photo, and the (mostly) paved path beyond. 15.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
150. The route alternates between paved and gravelled sections. Navigation is reasonably straightforward, but keep and eye on the map at junctions to be sure you take the right spur road. 15.2 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
-
151. The junction with Mill Ln is a bit confusing - we want the direction ahead past the brick wall. 15.3 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
152. The path becomes baked mud, ending in a pole to stop road traffic from the allotments on the right coming along this stretch. Turn left at the end of the path. 15.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
153. You emerge into the car park for the job centre and a disused shopping centre. We are aiming for the metal ramp/bridge visible in the middle distance. 15.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
154. We exit the car park via a metal bridge over Wepre Brook. There are ramps at both ends, and stairs at the far end onto Brook St. 15.5 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
155. Ramp onto Brook St. 15.6 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
156. Turn left after the bridge and head towards High St. There are kerb cuts with tactile pavements to help you cross the road. We are aiming to go right in this view. 15.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
157. There are bus stops on both sides of the road at regular intervals, if required, and periodic crossing islands. A controlled pedestrian crossing is available further down the road. 15.7 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
158. Having cross the road at the island in the last photo, the pavement continues behind a fence. Kerb cuts have tactile paving. 15.8 km from start — 28 Apr 2024
159. The route ends at Shotton station, just ahead by the green bridge. There is also a bus stop towards Chester just before it (green, with people holding their hand out for the approaching bus). If you have walked up the other side of the road, a controlled pedestrian crossing is available at the lights in the middle of this view. 16.1 km from start — 28 Apr 2024