Walks you can reach from Ruabon by train

Hard-surfaced circuit around Flint Castle and along the Wales Coast Path with saltmarsh and Dee Estuary views across to the Wirral.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Woodland: half under tree cover.

Flint Castle: The earliest of Edward I's Welsh castles, distinctive for its great detached tower; began the chain of English-built fortresses in Wales.

Flintshire Guardian: Three-metre-tall sculpture at Flint Point looking out across the Dee Estuary toward Hilbre Island.

Dee Estuary: Wide tidal estuary on the North Wales/Wirral border, fringed with saltmarsh and rich in birdlife.

Time: 1h30–3h

Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).

Striking views back down Carding Mill Valley. Up Carding Mill Valley and across the Long Mynd Plateau and Wild Moor. Site of Richard Munslow's grave, reputedly Britain's last sin-eater who died in 1906.

Hilly: a third on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Time: 4h30–9h

Warnings: Steep ascent to top of Long Mynd; faint moorland paths obscured by undergrowth.

Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).

Offa's Dyke Path up to the trig point on Graig Fawr, a National Trust limestone hill with sea views to the Great Orme, and a disused railway line.

Hilly: two fifths on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Graig Fawr: A National Trust limestone hill above Prestatyn with a trig point and views to the Great Orme, reached via the Offa's Dyke Path.

Time: 2h30–5h

Warnings: A sustained hillside climb with steps and steeper terrain.

Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).

Walk details: Rail Rambles.

Opening section of the Heart of Wales Line Trail over fields and through kissing gates on the Shropshire Way, past Hopesay Common and the village of Aston on Clun with its dressed Arbor Tree.

Walk details: Heart of Wales Line Travellers (PDF).

Reverse direction: Rail Rambles.

Walk details: Rail Rambles.

Walk details: Rail Rambles.

Recommended: So much to see on this gorgeous walk. A great, relaxing route following the well-signed, well-maintained and accessible Shropshire Way, with a detour west to stay away from A-road noise. There is one steep climb up Stoke Wood near Stokesay Castle, a lovely woodland walk at Aldon Gutter, quiet country lanes and field crossings that may get boggy; fairly easy walking after the climb. Follows the Shropshire Way. The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre has a cafe, toilets and museum. Good train service between Craven Arms and Ludlow.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 4h30–9h

Lunch: Cafe and toilets at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre and Stokesay Castle. Ludlow is a great town for foodies and markets.

Warnings: Care crossing the busy A road at Stokesay - the only A-road crossing. One steep climb up Stoke Wood. One field near Wetmore may get boggy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Exhilarating and elemental, beautiful, magical final stage. A long, beautiful walk through varied countryside, agricultural land and country lanes, skirting the A49 but often feeling far from the road. Many stiles, lots of them flooded or boggy after rain, with wide open fields, a nature reserve covered in wild garlic and a magical final climb into the hills above the Strettons before dropping down. Follows the Shropshire Way out of Bayston Hill and passes through a nature reserve covered in wild garlic; passes the churches at Stapleton and Dorrington.

Time: 7h30–15h

Lunch: Pubs at Dorrington and Leebotwood.

Warnings: After heavy rain many fields, stiles and footbridges flood and become boggy, though generally still passable. Some middle sections are overgrown with crops and poorly waymarked, with one section impassable and needing a road detour. Care crossing the busy A49 at Sleights Bridge. Can be muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Coast path — North Wales Path.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Stunning views from the top of Ragleth; some incredibly beautiful scenery; fabulous views. An up-and-down, varied route over a good mixture of paths, tracks, bridleways, hollow ways and lanes, with a steep climb over Ragleth Hill and stunning views from the top, then easier valley walking past brooks and through woodland and old estate grounds. Some muddy paths and occasional flooded stiles/gates after rain; a steep, loose and slippery descent off the hill; narrow underused paths with nettles. Coincides at times with the Roman road and an old drover's way.

Time: 4h30–9h

Lunch: A pub at Marshbrook, roughly halfway.

Warnings: Two crossings of the busy A49, both with no pedestrian crossings or traffic lights. The descent off Ragleth Hill is very steep on loose, slippery steps and could be difficult when wet. Some muddy paths and flooded stiles/gates after rain; narrow underused paths with nettles.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Fantastic views from the tops - especially at Hopesay Common and Holloway Rocks. A hilly route mainly on grassy, waymarked long-distance paths with a little quiet lane walking. Rough and muddy in places, with a fair few stiles. Around 2, 500ft of ascent including two long and steep climbs. Mostly follows the Heart of Wales Line Trail; passes through hamlets such as Aston on Clun, Clunbury and Hopton Castle.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 6h30–13h30

Warnings: Two long and steep climbs towards the Knighton end; rough and muddy paths and a number of stiles.

Walk details: Slow Ways.