Rhyl and the North Denbighshire Community Cycle Ride Route
With the completion in June 2008 of the cycleway along the Afon (River) Clwyd between Rhuddlan and Rhyl, there is now in place a varied circuit of some twenty miles linking several communities. Rich in its diversity of scenery and points of interest, it provides a superb route for those going about their everyday lives or seeking exercise as a part of a healthy lifestyle.
The greater part of the ride is off-road but care needs to be taken on the roads in Prestatyn, St Asaph and Rhyl.
This delightful circuit is rich in interest and well supplied with tea stops and country pubs. It is a fitting tribute also to Ian Bradfield, former Senior Transportation Officer, who has helped over many years steer a number of Denbighshire cycle route schemes.
The ride can be accessed from various points and can be done in either direction: here we describe it clockwise starting from Rhyl
Route: Rhyl - Prestatyn - Dyserth - St Asaph - Rhuddlan - Rhyl
Distance: 20 miles
Ascent: 220 m. Undulating route with only moderate gradients. The steepest is in Dyserth, shortly after leaving the Prestatyn to Dyserth cycle path, but on the whole this is an easy ride.
Start: The seafront of central Rhyl. There is a Pay and Display car park and plenty of on road Pay and Display parking places. There is also a small free car park near the kissing gate exit to the Afton Clwyd path on Marsh Road mentioned below
The Ride
Go to the promenade where there is a cycle path, sometimes delineated, sometimes not
Follow the cycle path north east along the coast to Prestatyn (4 miles: there is a half mile section along a revetment)
Turn Right just after the blue-painted Nova centre and follow the cycle/footpath (sign posted Offa's Dyke) towards Prestatyn
Cross main road at traffic lights (lights controlled pedestrian crossing: ignore cycle route sign to Left)
Follow the road to the Right and go over railway bridge (take care)
After the bridge Turn First Right just before a large bus/coach area
Join cycle path Turning Left after the barrier
Cross minor road and rejoin cycle path through small car park by at medical centre
Continue on cycle path for over two and a half miles
Turn Left and then Right on to road at end of cycle path and go through the village of Dyserth
Turn Left at crossroads (traffic lights) signposted Cwm (or divert right to visit waterfall)
Turn Left at B5429 signposted Rhuallt & St Asaph
Turn First Right on left-hand bend (take care) signposted Tai Cochion
Turn First Left at a right-hand bend after a descent and pass by the side of a steel gate (a short way along Pont Dafydd can be visited on the right)
Turn Right at cycle path and go over cycle bridge
Turn Right on to the A525
Enter St Asaph and straight ahead at a mini-roundabout passing cathedral on left (take care descending the busy high street)
Turn Right at bottom of hill (taking special care - dismounting if necessary) on to cycle/footpath just before the bridge and just after a fountain on right
Go through meadow passing children's play area
Turn Left to go over new cycle bridge
Turn Right along river bank and after passing under A55 follow track to Left
Turn Right at small housing estate
Turn 2nd Left
Turn Right at T Junction on to cycle path parallel to the A525 and continue for over 2 miles
Turn Right towards Rhuddlan at roundabout staying on the pavement cycle path which shortly crosses to the left-hand side of the road
Cross river by new cycle bridge and Turn Left signposted Rhyl
Go past the church and Turn Left to join the Afon Clwyd cycle path mostly along the right bank of the river
Keep Left after 2 miles (OR Keep Right - signposted Rhyl - if returning to alternative start at nature reserve car park)
Go through kissing gate (the rather small gate can be circumvented by using a rough track on the left) at end of path and Turn Left out of car park area on to Marsh Road
Turn 1st Left
Turn Left on to railway bridge and immediate Left after crossing railway (ignore cycle route sign)
Bend Right and Turn First Left (Seabank Rd)
At Crossroads Turn Right (Westbourne Ave)
Go straight over main road into Sydenham Ave
Cross main road at seafront and join cycle track NCN 5 to Prestatyn
Points of Interest
Rhyl and Prestatyn are popular holiday resorts. The first 4 miles along the coast is part of National Cycle Network Route 5 and offers expansive views of golden sands.
Dyserth is famous for its superb waterfall, which can be visited by diverting a short distance Right just after the Cross Keys pub.
Pont Dafydd is ancient packhorse bridge. It is here that many believe the immortal words ‘The boy stood on the burning deck’ were written - surely one of the most famous first lines in English literature. . But how many of us know that this comes from the poem 'Casabianca' by Felicity Hemans who in the early nineteenth century lived in St Asaph. By all accounts she probably wrote her poem on this bridge, now isolated in a dry meadow since the River Clwyd changed course many years ago.
St Asaph is a small cathedral city. Its cathedral, home of the William Morgan bible, is sometimes described as a hidden gem: construction was begun in the 13th century and it is reputed to be the smallest ancient cathedral in Great Britain.
Rhuddlan has rich historical connections. It was here that Prince Llywelyn a Gruffydd submitted to Edward I who built the present castle: see http://www.castlewales.com/rhudln.html
