A "Scouse mountain" has been a "rite of passage" for generations of children and adults across Merseyside for decades.
Many will know that if you walk up Moel Famau, the chances are you'll bump into plenty of other Scousers. The hill, which is the highest summit in the Clwydian Range and Flintshire's highest point, is just over an hour's drive from Liverpool city centre and has been a hotspot for Liverpudlians for years, the Liverpool ECHO recently reported.
As Moel Famau is 1,821 feet at its highest point, it is classed as a hill rather than a mountain, but that doesn't mean it isn't tall enough to boast spectacular views. On a clear day on top of Moel Famau, you you should be able to see Liverpool and likewise the hill can be spotted from Merseyside, marked by the Aigburth street Moel Famau View.
Read More:
- 27 places every Liverpool parent took their kids at the weekend
- 21 photos captured by the 'Photie Man' of Merseyside characters
Often classed as a classic Scouse destination, it is almost an extension of Liverpool, with blogger Steph Johnson calling it "the Scousest mountain" via Twitter. For many Scousers, their first taste of the hill, often known as as 'Movama,' came from trips to North Wales holiday camp Colomendy and many will remember the running joke that there was a chippy at the top of Moel Famau.
ECHO readers have since taken to social media to share their memories of climbing Moel Famau, from school trips and family days out to go on a first date with their partner. On our Facebook page, Alexa Lex said: "Every Scouser's rite of passage was a school trip to Colomendy, climbing Moel Famau and being told there's a chippy at the top."
Rob Mackenzie said: "It’s that Scouse it had a Superlambanana up there. More importantly, it was used during WWII to try and divert bombers away from the Liverpool City area. Always good for a hike. She’s like an old friend to me." Sarah Campbell said: "I remember going with my class I was 11 back in 83. There was a blizzard and the teachers had to carry us down the last bit as we were all frozen. Loved it lol."
Beryl Mellor wrote: "Most Sundays in the 70s 80s and 90s it was our Sunday day out lovely to get to the top. We even went in winter with the sledges with the children and dog we lived in Liverpool until the early 2000s." Lisa Beanland wrote: "Few years ago I read a text from a friend asking if I fancied a trip to Moel Famu and didn't have a clue what she was on about till she said it 'Movama'."
Chris Marsden commented: "Great fish and chips from the chippy at the top." Cathy Harris posted: "Climbed this loads of times since childhood!! Part of my past xx."
Mick Roberts posted: "Did my Duke of Edinburgh award in that awesome area back in the early 60's with Newsham Sec. School." Karen Haywood said: "Climbed this mountain in primary school. Kids from Liverpool were lucky enough to visit Colomendy activity centre for their residential. Let’s face it, North Wales accents sound Scouse .. they are more or less next door."
Pauline Elliott posted: "As kids in the 60s we would get the Crosville bus from St John’s Gardens to Loggerheads. Climb over the Catwalk, walk miles across fields up Moel Famau drop down into Llangollen and get the train home. All on a bottle of water jam butties and no map and not an adult in sight."
Tania E Olsson said: "Remember in the early 90's pitching a small tent near the trig point, as a check point for the Wirral Hike, which was a competition hike across the Clwydian Range for Scouts and Venture Scouts (Explorers), plus some Ranger Guides." Yvonne Shepherd commented: "One of my first dates with my future husband was to walk up there."
Mick Minor commented: "Climb up the mountain and youl never walk alone as long as there scousers around." Gillian Davies wrote: "Went with the school when I was a 11 years of age never again it was swarming with flys couldn't eat your lunch that was over 50 years ago and still can remember it."
Stephen Burke said: "After doing Moel Famau on the Saturday why don't you make it the Scouse double and venture to the exotic Ingleton Falls on the Sunday." Yvonne Holden posted: "Climbed it with school loads of times ...and few years ago with my partner."
Darren Shirley commented: "My dad proposed to my mum at the top of Moel Famau! Well he said, as she recalled “so shall we get married or what?”. Claire Karp commented: "As kid going to Colamendy with the school we climbed it. Beautiful memories."
Caz Clair said: "Loved taking the kids there over the years! Will take the grandkids too!." Jill Wormald posted: "Great walk on our doorstep… keeping us scousers fit and healthy. Haven’t gone in years - thanks for the reminder it’s there!"
What are your memories of climbing Moel Famau? Let us know in the comments section below.
Jeannette Norcott commented: "I remember going to Colomendy with Rice Lane school in the summer of 1980, and having a race up Moel Famau and coming 2nd out of all the girls when we had a race to the top!! I was sooo chuffed." Sheila Roberts wrote: "Used to go with friends years ago loved it pronounced it Movama."
Tom Fearon said: "Used to be a right of passage on New Year’s Day. The last 100yrds were the hardest." Paul Ellis wrote: "I had a phone call for a job interview near the top of that a few years ago."
Moe Joe wrote: "Went with primary school thought I was climbing the north west face of Everest." And Yvonne Anderson said: "Wow my dad always took us here, we'd run up and roll down the grass then run back up, so much fun racing each other."
There are many walking routes to the summit, all of which lead to what remains of the Jubilee Tower. Built in 1810 to mark George III's golden jubilee, it is a Grade II listed building, designed to look like an Egyptian obelisk.
However, it was never finished due to lack of funds and a storm brought down the structure in 1862. Just the base remains.
For more nostalgia stories, sign up to our Liverpool Echo newsletter her
Join our Liverpool memories and history Facebook group here.
Regardless, the draw of the summit is the view. On a good day, Liverpool Cathedral will stand out, with the city's skyline visible.
Additionally, much of Wales - including Snowdonia - is visible, while looking to the north provides views over the Irish sea. Well worth the 38 mile journey from Liverpool.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
Read More:
- Fascinating 80s photos of demolished Liverpool estate and city life
- Early days and faces of 'the Grand Dame of Liverpool hotels'
- Scouse nans share best advice for next generation
- Liverpool milkman doing the rounds in the city for over 50 years
- Lost 90s nightclub with 95p drinks that replaced iconic Fallows
