Information

The Brenig Way – Run Challenge is a 1 day, fully guided and supported ‘run’ following the 32 mile linear trail, from Corwen, in the Vale of Llangollen to the Llyn Brenig Reservoir Dam, high on the Denbigh Moors. The route involves 4628ft of ascent and represents an exhilarating, challenging excursion for those that take it on. The scenery is beautiful along the way – you’ll cover ground that isn’t very well trodden, on good paths that discreetly wind their way through the Dee Valley, through Glan Yr Afon, Maerdy. Clocaenog Forest, Cyfylliog and a gentle ascent alongside the River Clwyedog which ultimately brings you out on the archaeological trail at Llyn Brenig and a flat jog in to the finish.

Fully Qualified Guides – Leading you every step of the way – you’ll have no worries about getting lost, just relax and enjoy your surroundings and the challenge!

Checkpoint support – The day is split into 5 sections – approximately 5-7 miles in length, and at the end of each one we’ll meet you with your spare gear should you wish to change clothing policy, first aid provision and lots of food and drink to keep you going!

Safety and first aid cover – your in safe hands, your guide will be fully qualified when it comes to outdoor first aid, in addition we will have all the necassary skills and equipment to look after you if something goes wrong, at the end of each section.

Replenishment – Whilst it’s recommended that you carry some snacks and water on sections yourself, we’ll both provide and transport suitable foodstuffs and water/energy drinks and will have them waiting for you at the end of each section throughout the day.

Transport – If the worst happens and you can’t continue, through injury or extreme fatigue – we’ll take care of getting you back to where you need to be. We’ll also carry any spare clothing/footwear or anything else (within reason!) that you may want at some point during the day. We’ll also transport you back to your car in Corwen, if required when we’ve replenished in the cafe at the visitor centre!

THE ROUTE

SECTION 1 
Corwen to Glan Yr Afon
6.2 miles
From Corwen we climb almost immediately - into the woodland out of the town, and after a short enjoyable woodland section, hit the flat disused railway alongside the Dee, landing us at the village of Cynwyd in no time. From Cynwyd we use country lanes, then delightful, little used footpaths to ascend the little intervening ridge, dropping down to the A494 at Glan Yr Afon and the first CP of the day!

SECTION 2 
Glan Yr Afon to Melin Y Wig
6.6 miles
Another climb out of Glan Yr Afon sees us, again, in lonely upland territory - and we cross the A5 at Maerdy before a road section towards Clocaenog. A right turn sees us join a route through wonderful woodland, the paths undulating but are never particularly taxing in terms of gradients, and we soon arrive at the village of Betws G-G. We aren't lingering here though, as the next CP is a short distance away and we meet the River Clwyd for the first time, at the village of Melin Y Wig, and checkpoint 2.

SECTION 3 
Melin Y Wig to Pincyn Llys - 6.9 miles

The legs may be starting to tire now, but you'll enjoy this fantastic section through the sprawling Clocaenog Forest - emerging at the brilliant viewpoint of Pincyn Llys, and Checkpoint 3 at over 31km. To get there, you'll follow a great route which climbs ever so gradually, but pretty relentlessly up through this huge forest, complete with one of the largest populations of Red Squirrel South of the Scottish border. The reward for your efforts at Pincyn Llys is a lovely view of the Clwydian, Llantysilio and Berwyn hill ranges, amongst others. A short blast through the woodland brings you to the van at CP 3.

SECTION 4 
Pincyn Llys to Llyn Clywedog
6.8 miles
In my view, the best section this one. It's also the one (the penultimate leg, that is) that is often the toughest, physically and mentally. But rest assured, once this is done, you'll be in the home straight and it's almost in the bag. Over 11km of fabulous trails - starting with a rip roaring descent (ok, maybe not so rip roaring given what you've already done!!) that's a lot of fun, to the pretty village of Cyfylliog. From here, we climb gradually alongside the River Clywedog up through one of the more remote valleys you'll come across in this part of the world, all the way up to it's source - Llyn Clywedog - sitting high and deep in the Clocaenog Forest - and checkpoint 4 is yours!

SECTION 5 
Llyn Clywedog to the Brenig Dam.
5.4 miles
The final, and shortest section of our Brenig Way. You'll leave CP 4 on gravel forest roads, then head into the forest again on nice soft, single track. Reaching the highest point of the whole route on the moorland of Foel Goch, you reach the shores of Llyn Brenig at Hafoty Cwm Llwyd. Then you follow the flat lakeshore track for a couple of km's - culminating in the glory run across the dam to the finish, and after some refreshment, your transportation back to Corwen :-