01694 723600 info@secrethillswalking.co.uk

Price

From£560

Save To Wish List

1709

If walking is your passion and you never tire of stunning views,- then this area is for you. Renowned for the surrounding hills and the River Dee, Llangollen has something for all our clients. But it is its magnificent position amongst the hills surrounding the town, and the delightful Dee Valley that we want you to experience. Our solos guided walking holiday shows you the best of this diverse area.

Solos and Singles Guided Walking is our unique speciality – unlike other walking holiday companies. We walk in some of the most stunning locations in both the UK and Europe. We have an extra speciality in that we also design bespoke holidays for special groups.

Three days
Refund guarantee
Expert Tour Guides
Two nights
Location: Llangollen and the Dee Valley

What you get on a Secret Hills Break

Hotel bed and breakfast– en suite two nights
Dinner- three course.
Lunch- except first day
Sole Occupancy
Personal service
Expert guiding- friendly, local guides that know the area superbly well
Transport to walks start and finish as needed
Flexibility
No single supplement
A social, relaxed approach
Full joining details prior to your holiday
Our administration support from the point of booking to you joining the holiday

Hotel and Meals

Accommodation en suite rooms at the Hand Hotel, right in the centre of the Llangollen. The hotel has a bar, and several lounges.

Dinner –Is three course in the hotels restaurant

Lunch

We have lunch at one of the lovely country pubs in the area, .

Flexibility

We offer you the opportunity to stay additional nights, and many people extend their weekend as they wish. Just reserve what nights you need.

Great reasons to join us

There are other walking holiday companies that cover the countryside but we believe we offer the best value for many reasons….

We specialise in organising guided walking holidays for singles and solo travellers
We are a small friendly company
We have a loyal customer base who return again and again (so we must be doing something right) – read our testimonials page on the website
We offer a lot of flexibility – you can stay extra nights which we are happy to organise for you. We are also very flexible on the walks we provide, adapting to suit walkers and weather conditions
Our walk leading is second to none. Unlike some other large Walking Companies, we use LOCAL leaders who live in the area and who love their surroundings. They have expert knowledge of everything you need to know to make an area come alive.
You are safe in our hands – our guides are experts, fully qualified in first aid. Also, because of their local knowledge of the hills, they can respond to any situation that might for example demand cutting short a route. They don’t need to consult maps – they know the hills intimately.
Our leaders are all easy-going, genuinely sociable people who want to ensure that you have the best time you can with the rest of the group. They make the weekend fun by engaging with all members of a group, and ensuring that everyone feels part of the group experience.
We give great value for money. Because we recognise that lots of walkers holiday on their own, we have negotiated no single supplement deals with all our hotels to ensure the best possible deal.
We always use good hotels.
We have smaller groups than some of the larger walking companies, because we believe the social experience is much better in a smaller group. People can talk to everyone, especially at dinner where you can all sit on one table in a small group. Our numbers vary from holiday to holiday but an average group size would be 8-12.

Directions

By road

LL20 8PL for your Sat Nav.

Llangollen is situated on the A5 trunk road. From the south and west – take M5 then M54 headed for North Wales and Shrewsbury- this turns into the A5 and follow to Llangollen.

From North and Midlands- M1, M62 and M6 and take M56 for North Wales. Take M53 round Chester and A 483 for Wrexham. Then A5 to Llangollen.

The hotel is a sharp right turn just before the main traffic lights in the town.

By rail – National Rail

The nearest station is Chirk- taxi’s from there to Llangollen – 6 miles.

Itinerary

Solos and Singles Guided Walking in Llangollen and the Dee Valley We meet at 2.30pm on Friday afternoon for a 2.5 hour walk around the surrounding area and along part of the Llangollen canal

Walking Saturday and Sunday – 8/9 miles a day, finishing at about 3.30pm on Sunday

Walking and talking – its our unique way of bringing people together – Meeting new friends.

Meet New Friends

Its all about meeting new friends. Each holiday is designed to be a friendly, relaxed and stress free occasion. Talking is as important as walking on Secrethills Walking Holidays. We don’t go in for discos, we may use an event that is taking place in the area we are in to boost the weekends activities – but its good, old fashioned chat that makes our short breaks successful.

“Make new friends that turn into old friends” – that’s our motto.

You might be surprised by what fun you’ll have with people who are older or younger than you during a holiday with us, and that’s exactly the sort of atmosphere we encourage; people find it very rewarding. It doesn’t matter what your reasons for traveling with us are, we’ve had people who are single, divorced or widowed, people who have partners that are unable to travel, and people who can’t holiday with their friends anymore as they’ve all got married themselves. There are people who want to make friends, see sights, and experience something completely new. Whatever your reason, we’ll welcome you with open arms and our friendly hosts will help you to get the most out of your holiday.

Don’t worry if this is the first time you have ventured to join a group holiday – its always a bit daunting – but we will look after you and ensure that you get used to being amongst friends again. Trust us to to get you back into the swing of things.

Oh – by the way – its not a dating agency – over the years we have had people meet and fall in love – but that’s just chance. Our aim is that you make like minded friends – just relax and enjoy.

Just arrive and enjoy.

How to Book

To reserve a place on any of our holidays, please follow these simple instructions.

Reserve online – once you have chosen your holiday, click on Proceed Booking and complete the online form. If you have difficulty reserving online, please contact us (tel: 01694 723600, email: info@secrethillswalking.co.uk) and we will assist you to complete your booking.

Payment

Please note we cannot take credit/debit card details over the phone. You may pay by the following methods when you book online…

Paypal – if you have a Paypal account, simply click on the link to the Paypal website.
Credit / Debit card – we use Paypal to host our credit/debit cards facility because it is a very secure system. So if you want to pay with a card, simply click on this option which will take you to our page on the PayPal website. Check in there as a “Guest” to enable your card payment. You do not need to have a Paypal account for this transaction.
We will also accept a Bank Transfer – you will find our account details on the booking form.
Finally, we will also accept a cheque payable to Secret Hills Walking Holidays and sent to: Secret Hills Walking Holidays, 35 Sandford Avenue, Church Stretton, Shropshire, SY6 6BH

Please note than an initial deposit is required with each booking regardless of which payment method you choose. Your booking will be accepted when your payment (deposit or full balance) is received. Note – if you are reserving a holiday within a month of the start date then the full amount is due immediately and no deposit should be paid.

It is important that you read the terms and conditions before you sign the booking form.

Note – if you are reserving a holiday within a month of the start date then the full amount is due immediately and no deposit should be paid.

Grades and Difficulty

Walking on good , well maintained paths in the most. We walk at a steady pace, always aware of the delights of the countryside around us.

There are some steep ascents and descents but only for a few minutes. The terrain is mainly undulating with stretches along the Dee Valley and Llangollen canal being mainly flat.

Exclusions

Although our leaders are well trained and experienced in dealing with different capabilities of our walking clients, if they have any concerns about any clients ability or suitability to undertake safely any walking activity we plan or they feel that participation of an individual may affect the groups safety and cohesion, then they have full permission to exclude that client from an activity.

They will try at all times to provide an alternative suggested activity, though this may involve the client in additional local cost.

We rarely have to enforce this above recommendation, but it is a sensible and necessary protection for the individual client, the group and the leaders.

Sample Walks

We walk the area round Llangollen – simply magical walks, with upland scenery all around – a panorama rarely beaten. We walk 8 -10 miles per day, plenty of breaks, and at a moderate pace. No rushing about, too much to see. Each walk has it’s own magnificent views.

The walks take in the country around Offa’s Dyke, part of the beautiful Berwyns, the Llangollen canal, Dinas Bran castle, The Panorama walk and Valle Crucis Abbey. Solos and Singles Guided Walking in Llangollen and the Dee Valley

We may incorporate a walk which returns on the Llangollen Steam railway

Location

Llangollen -a small town of some 3000 people and is seeped in myth and legend. In many ways it is best known for hosting the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod every July which brings in some 120,000 visitors and turns the town into a vibrant international stage.

As with so many ancient Welsh towns, it takes its name from its founding Saint; Collen, a seventh century saint. Llangollen, was established in the 7th Century when The monk St. Collen was instructed to find a valley by riding a horse for one day and then stop and mark out a “parish” a place to build his hermitage or cell in the custom of the times, with tiny church, hospice and outhouses all enclosed within a wall.

The famous Dee Bridge, was built by Bishop Trevor of Trevor Hall in I345. It is a scheduled ancient monument and was widened in the 1960’s to accommodate modern traffic.

Up to the I9th century Llangollen town was located south-east of the bridge around Bridge Street and Church Street, and to the north-west around the old village green, which has now disappeared , but is remembered by such names as ‘Green Lane; and ‘Green Lodge’ which still exist. Nearly all of this densely populated area disappeared to allow the building of the Railway.
Llangollen became important because of its prominent position on the main London to Holyhead coaching road which was improved by Thomas Telford from 1815 and continued for some 15 years. The Canal was also constructed around this and combined to bring considerable immigration into Llangollen during the early part of the 19th century.

The Castle

The remains of Castell Dinas Bran can be seen high on an isolated hill above Llangollen and reached by a steep climb. From the top the views of Llangollen and the Dee Valley are stunning. This was said to be the possible burial site of the Holy Grail of the Arthurian legends, and was known to have been the 13th Century home of Madoc ap Gruffydd Maelor, the founder of Valle Crucis Abbey and it was possibly a stronghold for Eliseg, Prince of Powys in the 6th Century. Solos and Singles Guided Walking in Llangollen and the Dee Valley

The Town

Llangollen is a haven for shoppers looking for interesting and unusual gifts. There are also many interesting walks in the town. The canal from the town to the Chain Bridge Hotel and Horseshoe Falls as an example.

The Railway

Opened in 1862 the Ruabon to Barmouth railway steamed its way through the Welsh countryside. At one time it was possible to board at Llangollen Station and travel to London without a single change! the Railway closed to passenger traffic in 1965, and to goods in 1968 and over the next seven years Nature closed in on the buildings and track bed . However steam trains are once more to be seen in Llangollen Station thanks to the efforts of the Llangollen Railway Society.

A group was formed to renovate and reopen part of the line in September 1975, with just 60 feet of track which has now grown some 7½ miles along the Dee Valley passing wonderful scenery and giving a glimpse of how this 65 mile journey must have looked like in its heyday.

Trains operate during weekends virtually all year and daily from June to the end of October. During the summer, steam trains are mostly used. Solos and Singles Guided Walking in Llangollen and the Dee Valley

The Canal

From Llangollen Wharf you can embark on a 45-minute horse drawn trip or a two hour trip on the traditional Canal narrow boat, which takes you through the Vale of Llangollen and across the Britain’s biggest aqueduct at Trevor. Towering 126 feet above the river and built by Thomas Telford it is a masterpiece of engineering. You will not be the first to experience this. For over 100 years, pleasure boats have operated from Llangollen Wharf – and the experience is as popular as ever.

Photos

Solos and Singles Guided Walking in Llangollen and the Dee Valley

Reviews

9 Reviews

Sort By:RatingDate

Angela Fielding

Solo Traveller

Very much enjoyed the guided walks. it was absolutely wonderful; meticulously planned, very varied and with much of interest to see en route. Mike is a superb guide.

June 27, 2022

Sheila Leeden

Solo Traveller

Guided walking excellent. Guide was well informed and led group with care and pace. Organisation of holiday very good.

June 23, 2022

Elizabeth Griffiths

Solo Traveller

Guides were fantastic. Guided walking – loved it. Organisation of holiday – exceptional. Brilliant location.

June 23, 2022

Helen Air

Solo Traveller

I thoroughly enjoyed my holiday in Llangollen. Mike was a great guide and the hotel excellent. Many thanks and best wishes Helen

October 15, 2021

Judith Garfield

Solo Traveller

Thank you Alan, thank you Barbara for arranging the holiday. Well organised. Mike Smart (walk leader) is very knowledgeable about the area and was able to give us a lot of information. The walks were fantastic. Hotel excellent at doing all they could to ensure the safety of their guests. The food was good and the room was lovely.

June 17, 2021

Llangollen and the Dee Valley

Why Book With Us?