The Walks

 

Anglesey is quite often referred to as the Island of Romance. Llanddwyn is the hypnotic Island of Lovers with its curved bay and dunes, clear sparkling waters and spectacular views towards the Llyn Peninsula.
If you were to do the whole coastal path this is our suggested itinerary.

ARRIVAL

Arrive at Bangor/Llanfairpwll. Settle into a local B&B or inn. Llanfairpwll is well-known for being the village with the longest name. (Llanfairpwll- gwyngyll - goger - y -chwyrn -drobwll - llan- tysilio - gogo - goch). Your car can remain here in safe-keeping for the duration of your holiday.

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WALK 1 Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path - LLANDDWYN TO MOEL-Y-DON

DISTANCE: 9 ½ miles 15 km (easy)

Pick up and transport to Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve where you will start

your coastal path walk.  Walk to Ynys Llanddwyn (The Island of Lovers) where they filmed

Half Light with Demi Moore. The little island has a lighthouse, the ruined church of

Dwynwen and renovated Pilots’ cottages.
Turn back and walk the beach to the car park at Llyn Rhos-Ddu.  Make your way to Afon Braint, where you will cross by means of stepping stones, which will lead you to Tal-y-Foel with spectacular views of Caernarfon Castle and the Snowdonia Mountain Range. Continue passing the Anglesey Sea Zoo and Foel Farm (great for kids of all ages!) and follow the shore to Moel y Don car park where you will be picked up and taken to your accommodation.

 

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WALK 2  Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path PWLLFANOGL – BEAUMARIS

DISTANCE 7 ½ MILES 12 KM (moderate)

Set off towards Brynsiencyn, and down to Pwllfanogl, where the acclaimed artist Sir Kyffin Williams lived until his recent death. This stretch of path takes you past the two famous bridges crossing the Menai Straits, the Britannia and Menai Bridges and through the village of Llandegfan, which is away from the coast, but gives you fantastic views towards Bangor and Snowdonia. The path then leaves the road

crossing into fields and skirting a small lake, and eventually leading to the historic town of Beaumaris with it’s Edwardian Castle(World Heritage Site), Museum of Childhood, Old Gaol and Courthouse and numerous restaurants and hotels.

*2007 celebrated the 250th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Telford who built the Menai Suspension Bridge - an exhibition celebrating his life and work can be seen just off your walk at the Heritage Centre, Menai Bridge.

 

 

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WALK 3  Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path BEAUMARIS – LLANDDONA (Optional day off sightseeing)

DISTANCE : 9 ½ MILES 15 km (moderate)

Set off from your accommodation through the town, passing the medieavel castle and follow the path to Penmon Priory and onto Trwyn Du lighthouse with views over to Puffin Island. Follow the path through farmland passing Bwrdd Arthur (Arthur’s Table). Have a little detour to the top as this is the highest point on the eastern side of the island with spectacular views of Snowdonia.
Remains of an iron age village "Din Silwy" can be seen on Bwrdd Arthur.
Continue back onto the path through farmland down to the beach of Red Wharf Bay by Llanddona. Pick up point by the church just off the beach (Llanddona end) for return to Beaumaris.

 

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WALK 4 Isle of Anglesey Coastal PathLLANDDONA – MOELFRE

DISTANCE 8 ½ MILES 14 KM (moderate)

Taken back to Llanddona for drop-off at the top of the hill.

Proceed down to the beach where you ended your walk the previous day  taking the beach path - or the edge of the forest walk (IF TIDE IS HIGH) - right round to Red Wharf Bay. This is a good location

to stop for lunch or refreshments, either at Ship Inn or The Boathouse Restaurant.

Continue along the shoreline, then through a wood onto the cliff tops and then down again to Benllech Beach. Benllech is an old fashioned type of beach with ice-cream cafes, donkey rides and safe swimming. (A Blue Flag Beach). The path continues onto the seacliffs leading to another sandy beach called Traeth Bychan.(Small Beach)   Again continue along the path

which will lead to one of the prettiest little villages on the east coast - Moelfre.

*The popular BBC series "Coast" visited Moelfre in 2006

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WALK 5  Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path   MOELFRE – POINT LYNAS LIGHTHOUSE , PORTH EILIAN

DISTANCE 11 MILES 20 KM (moderate)

Start off after breakfast from Moelfre to Lligwy beach and Traeth yr Ora. On your walk you will pass the Lifeboat Museum and bronze satute of renowned Coxwain Dic Evans. Also you will see the rocks on which the gold-laden Royal Charter foundered so disastrously . From Traeth yr Ora the path takes you north to a wild, unspoilt area, reminiscent of Ireland, and this will eventually lead you to the telegraph station at Point Lynas.
Pick up at the end of the path at the roundabout by the small pebbly beach of Porth Eilian and taken to your accommodation.

 

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WALK 6   Isle of A nglesey Coastal Path  PORTH EILIAN – CEMAES

DISTANCE 9 miles 15 km (strenuous)

Return to Point Lynas to begin today's walk. Pass Ffynnon Eilian, a small spring which is said to be the holy well of St. Eilian, and continue to the small fishing village of Porth  Amlwch, avoiding Amlwch itself.  Rocky cliff tops will take you to Bull Bay.  Stop to watch the seals, porpoises and dolphins, playing in the warm waters before following the coast to Porth Wen, a lovely isolated cove and an unlikely site of an abandoned brickwords with its strange tall chimneys and bee-hived shape kilns. You now climb quite high, with stunning views of Middle Mouse Island and if you take a little detour you will reach a summer house at Wales’ most northerly point!
Return to the path descending to Porth Lleianna and the church of Llanbadrig.(St. Patrick’s).
From here take the coastal path to the village of Cemaes where you will stay overnight.

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WALK 7  Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path    CEMAES – PORTH SWTAN (CHURCH BAY)

DISTANCE 10 ½ miles 17 km (strenuous)

Pick up the coastal path and start investigating the island’s remotest coastline. From Cemaes follow the coast closely to Wylfa Head.
Wylfa Power Station looms between Cemaes and Carmel Head. There is a Visitor’s Centre at the power station.  From here, follow the path into a tiny cove and the gardens of “Cestyll”. Cross a footbridge by a ruined mill leading to the unusual beach of Cemlyn Bay and the lagoon which is a heaven for wildlife. Stop at the Jam Factory for refreshments. Continue to Hen Borth (Old Gate) and onto Trwyn Carmel Head.  A group of rocks called the Skerries and

another lighthouse can be seen in the distance. In summer, you might spot a seal or two basking on the rocks.
From Carmel head continue to Ynys Fydlyn a spectacular rock formation, eventually leading down to Porth Swtan (Church Bay).

*The popular BBC series "Coast" visited Carmel and featured an item on the family of "Bone Setters" who lived in this area.

 

 

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WALK 8    Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path    PORTH SWTAN (Church Bay) – HOLYHEAD

DISTANCE – 14 MILES 22 km (moderate)

 

Start  your day with a visit to Swtan, the last thatched cottage on Anglesey.

This next section is not as elevated as the previous day, and very attractive in parts. As it is divided by the Alaw Estuary, which is unsafe to cross, you have to travel inland along its banks full of prolific wildlife, to join the main road at Llanfachraeth and Llanynghenedl before returning towards the coast, with majestic views of Holyhead and Holyhead Mountain.

From Valley go towards the Stanley Embankment passing the old toll house which is now a tea-room, walking through to the Penrhos Coastal Park onto the port of Holyhead -the gateway to Ireland. This section is 14 miles but can be curtailed to suit you.

 

 

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(DAY TRIP TO IRELAND (OPTIONAL)

Take the ferry to Dublin, and enjoy a perfect break exploring the vibrant city.  Try a pint of real Guinness in one of the hundreds of Irish pubs, or visit the Guinness Storehouse. Otherwise visit the many museums, or take a double-decker Sightseeing  City tour around Dublin. We are Stena Sealink agents so tickets can be bought directly from us.

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WALK 9  (alternatively)  (Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path    HOLYHEAD – TREARDDUR BAY

DISTANCE  12 miles    19km (strenuous)

This is probably the most attractive part of the coastal path rising up to 220 metres, with abundant wild and unspoilt landscapes.  Starting at the busy port of

Holyhead, up Holyhead Mountain, the path passes an old Iron Age hill-fort, which will eventually lead you to the famous South Stack lighthouse and Twr Elin. Twr Elin is owned by the RSPB, a popluar vantage point for bird-watchers.  Take a detour to visit the lighthouse – possibly one of the most spectacular and exciting locations on Anglesey. 400 steps lead down to the lighthouse. There, you will be able to see exhibitions on bird life, and visit the engine room before climbing to the top of the lighthouse.

Further along the coast, the landscape changes and levels out into small beaches like Porth Dafarch, with the path finally reaching Trearddur Bay.

*  The popular television series "Most Haunted" were at South Stack Lighthouse in 2007 in search of paranormal experiences.  They weren't disappointed!!!  

 

 

 

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WALK 10  Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path     TREARDDUR BAY – FOUR MILE BRIDGE

DISTANCE  8 ¾ miles (OR  10 Mile circular)    14 km-15km (moderate)

Start off from Trearddur and after leaving the village, the landscape becomes rugged with interesting and unusual rock features created by the pounding sea.  Follow the path up to Mynydd Rhoscolyn. Take a stop at Ffynnon Santes Gwenfaen.  In the Middle Ages, people believed that the waters from this well could heal the sick of mind!  Walk along the  beaches of Borthwen and Traeth Llydan, with the path finally taking you from the coast inland along

gorseland and quiet lanes to Pontrhydbont or Four Mile Bridge.

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WALK 11  Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path     FOUR MILE BRIDGE – ABERFFRAW

DISTANCE   13 ¾ MILES  22 km (easy)

This stretch of coastline is the surfer’s paradise.  It starts off  fairly flat and sandy, taking the walker along beaches like Cymyran and Rhosneigr.  On today’s walk you will most definitely have a close look at some of the military planes taking off or landing at RAF Valley.  Further along the coastal path, in days gone by, this stretch of coast earned noteriety through its pirates (Lladron Crigyll- The Thieves of Crigyll - the name of the river that flows into the sea near Rhosneigr)  Many a ship was taken over with travellers and

crews killed for their spoils.  Rhosneigr has become a busy, popular holiday resort but

once it used to be a quiet fishing village.

From Rhosneigr, walk the shoreline with views towards Snowdonia and the Rivals on the Llyn Peninsula. On the path, you will pass a burial chamber which dates back to Neolithic times - BARCLODIAD Y GAWRES. (Rocks of the She-Giant)

Your walk will take you around Ynys Môn Racing Track and down to the shoreline at Llangwyfan, with its little church out in the sea. The church can be reached at low tide. Follow the path to the beautiful beach of Aberffraw.

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WALK 12     Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path    ABERFFRAW TO LLANDDWYN

DISTANCE    11 ½ miles  18 km

(easy)

This section passes through and area of sand-dunes and then takes you through farmland inland to Hermon and Llangadwaladr Church (well worth a visit).  Once again, as you approach the Malltraeth Estuary there are stunning views of Snowdonia.  It is along this stretch of path that Charles Tunnicliffe was inspired for many of his paintings.  He lived at Malltraeth from 1947 until his death in 1979.  This estuary is deservedly regarded of national importance due to its wealth of wildlife.  

At Malltraeth, a cob was built to claim land from the sea. This land is used today as farmland.  From Malltraeth walk along the cob to  Newborough Forest and Llanddwyn Beach, back where you started.

This completes your 125 mile (200 km) self-guided walk around the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path!

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DEPARTURE

 

 

 

photos © WTB; Lisa Williams; Gillian Williams, Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path Project 2006; Dr. Cen Williams