Holfli one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Really enjoyed this walk which followed the North Wales coastal path from Flint to Greenfield and was fairly flat with well made paths. Passed through a lot of reclaimed industrial land much of it now nature reserves now teeming with wildlife including lots of wild flowers and a natterjack road reserve. Spotted swallows, house martins, herons and redshank along the estuary. Up an incline through the lovely wooded valley of Greenfield Heritage Park which is the start of the North Wales Pilgrim Way taking in St Winifred’s Well - a unique spiritual haven and pool.

Taking full advantage of the Wales Coastal Path and the formation of a disused railway line, this is a pleasant and scenic route, steeped in history.

As has been mentioned in previous reviews, the suggested route between Y Fflint station and the castle could be more direct, but I don't think this detracts from the SlowWay, but rather allows a different perspective of the castle.

It is largely accessible throughout the western half. However in the east, cycling is not permitted and path widths, gates and surfacing would likely cause issues for other wheeled users.

When heading inland towards Treffynnon/Holywell, the path follows the formation of a disused railway line. This section is fully accessible, but does have a noticeable gradient in places.

Y Fflint and Treffynnon are linked by frequent buses, with the North Wales Mainline also serving the station at Y Fflint. There are numerous shops and eateries at either end, as well as a very nice Café near the Abbey remains at Maes-Glas/Greenfield.

I walked half of this route, from Flint to Bagillt. I thought the route out of Flint was odd. If you're starting from the town centre or railway station, the obvious thing to do is to walk straight along Castle Street to Flint Castle, instead of going around the houses. I also thought it was odd to go through the industrial estate, instead of following the coast path around the first wooded point to reach Flint Dock. Everything after that was fine. The tide was out, so I could get round the next point, though a signpost indicates a slightly different route for anyone following the route at high water. There's a great walk along an old sea wall to Bagillt, where there's an old colliery spoil heap now completely reclaimed by nature, with a splendid beacon on top in the shape of a dragon. I left the route at that point and followed a road into Bagillt, where there are plenty of buses linking with Flint and Holywell.

Part Coastal path, part former railway line through Greenfield Park up to Holywell.

A great route through some nice areas, especially alongside the river Dee.

Starting on Holywell, which is served well by regular buses and shops, the route runs along a tarmacced former railway past the old mills, open air museum and ruins of the priory at Greenfield. From there, a short, paved, road walk over the railway down to the former dock. An earth and grass footpath, becoming well-managed with loose stone later, runs alongside or on the coastal path for some miles, with gates along the way

Near Bagillt, the path is wide and tarmac once more, becoming rougher and narrower as we walk along the embankment, the river Dee directly to the left. At the end, a woodland walk, followed by a wander around Flint's old harbour, before ending at Flint Castle.

The route to the end point, the station, for some reason follows the curve of Castle Dyke Street and Castle Road; heading down Castle Street makes more sense.

Although the route is mostly accessible, with good paths and wide gates, there are sections that are not suitable for wheeled users, and as such this is a foot-only route.

All-in-all, an excellent route through woods and alongside a river.

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