8k Run Llandyrnog: Scenic Loop to Penycloddiau Summit

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 7.8km circular loop offers a quintessential Welsh hill running experience, starting from the Coed Llangwyfan car park. The route is characterized by its lush, grassy trails and a categorized "hilly" profile, featuring a steady 232m of ascent. Runners can enjoy a relatively gentle warm-up on soft terrain before the course meets the historic Offa’s Dyke Path. From there, you'll tackle the primary climb up to the summit of Penycloddiau. The reward is an exhilarating, fast-paced descent back to the finish. Given the exposed nature of the ridge, the weather can shift rapidly; we recommend technical trail shoes with good lugs for grip on the grass, especially after a typical Welsh drizzle.

Penycloddiau is not just a peak; it is home to one of the largest Iron Age hillforts in Wales, dating back over 2,500 years. As you crest the summit, you are literally running through history, crossing ancient earthworks that once protected tribal settlements. The Llandyrnog area provides a stunning backdrop, with the Vale of Clwyd stretching out below you and the distant peaks of Snowdonia visible on the western horizon. This route captures the spirit of the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, blending rugged archaeological heritage with some of the finest undulating trail running in the region.