In our opinion, the Ynys Môn / Anglesey section of the Wales Coast path is one of the most scenic and rugged coast in Wales. The coastal path on Anglesey was in place well before the idea of a footpath following the Wales coast was even an idea and the original Anglesey Coast path was already popular when the Wales Coast Path opened in 2012.
While it may be feasible for some to walk the Wales coast path in it’s entirely, most people will prefer to complete it in bite sized chunks and won’t be bothered to ‘complete’ the entire route. Why not cherry pick the best sections and just walk them instead. So here’s the best 10 circular coastal walks on the Anglesey coast to get you started.
This is a recently opened section of the coast path, and can easily be walked as a circular route by returning along the old line of the coast path. You can start from the Llanddonna car park at the eastern end of Red Wharf Bay, before the route climbs quickly to skirt the SE corner of Ynys Môn. The section is only a few kilometres long, and as soon as you reach the cove at Fedw Fawr you return to the old line of the coast path with country lanes and bridleways. Those wishing to make it to Penmon will need to add a good few hours to their day in order to retrace their steps back to this point. The walk then continues via the old coast path which skirts the summit of Bwrdd Arthur before rejoining the official coastal path you started off on.
This is an easy walk from Traeth Lligwy to Moelfre with plenty along this stretch to keep your interest. The coastline is low in comparison to many of the towering cliffs on other sections of Anglesey, but is no less rugged. It’s known as where the Royal Charter shipwrecked in 1859, killing 400 on board. You’ll spot the bronze statue of Richard Evans on the way into Moelfre who saved nearly 300 lives during his 50 years as a lifeboaman, as well as the lifeboat station from which he served.
You can choose to start the walk at either Traeth Lligwy or Moelfre, with parking at the former being easier in season. There’s a beach hut cafe at Traeth Lligwy, open in peak season, and the Kinmael Arms pub in Moelfre, to provide a choice of well earned refreshments whichever way you choose to walk it. If time permits, it’s worth a diversion to the ancient settlement at Din Lligwy
This route follows some rigged coastline, but it’s the view across Porth Wen and the disused brick factory that we like. While that may not sound appealing at first, but it’s an old building that looks fascinating and has plenty to interest amateur industrial archaeologists. According to Coflein “the works were disused by 1949 and the tramway removed. The surviving remains includes a quarry, incline system, processing works, two tall square plan chimneys, brickworks, beehive kilns and harbour”. Porth Wen itself is spectacular in itself, though we’d say that the continuation towards Cemaes is even better! So guess what the next walk’s going to be?
From the sandy beach at Cemaes, this walk follows an undulating coastline and numerous coves to arrive at Llanlleiana Head, which is almost the most northerly point in Wales until you remember that Anglesey is an Island and that Ynys Badrig (MIddle Mouse) is further north. It is however the most northerly point on the Wales Coast path and nearby Llanlleiana most certainly being the northernmost settlement. On the way, you’ll pass St Patrick’s church at Llanbadrig, the ruins of the former Porth Llanlleiana China and Brickworks and the hill fort of Dinas Gynfor. The walk finishes it’s coastal section just above the brickworks at Porth Wen, with a footpath leading down for those wanting to explore further.
This easy walk at Cemlyn Bay shouldn’t take more than an hour or two, and sets off over the shingle bar of Esgair Gemlyn towards the headland of Trwyn Cemlyn. The walk continues towards a viewpoint over Hen Borth before descending back to cross Esgair Cemlyn and the start. Please note that Cemlyn Bay is an important breeding ground for birds, and as a result it’s prohibited to cross Esgair Gemlyn during the nesting season between April and July.
The north west coast of Anglesey is among our favourites and this walk from Porth Swtan / Church Bay towards Ynys y Fydlyn shows why. Setting off from the hamlet of Church Bay, which can be popular in season with limited parking, the walk follows high cliffs to reach Ynys y Fydlyn which is a tiny islet split in two. You can try and spot the islets of the Skerries, or more properly Ynysoedd y Moelrhoniad in Welsh. Landward, there’s a small lake which has formed behind a shingle bar and it is this way the route returns to the start. If time permits however, we’d recommend continuing north towards Trwyn y Gader / Carmel Head and returning on the track via Mynachdy. If you’ve the legs for it, then it’s worth climbing to the summit of Penbrynyreglwys to gain some elevation and even more extensive views.
The Wales Coast Path can’t win in which path it takes around Mynydd y Tŵr on Ynys Cybi. The chosen route is along impressively high clifftop paths above Gogarth Bay, but we think that missing out on the summit of Mynydd y Twr (Holyhead Mountain) is an omission. This short walk also includes the South Stack (Ynys Lawd) Lighthouse and a short diversion to the hut circles at Cytiau Gwyddelod (Huts of the Irish). There are numerous Cytiau Gwyddelod on the Welsh coast, as they were often settled by the Irish.
This is an easy walk from Rhoscolyn to Traeth Llydan on Ynys Cybi (Holy Island). Well worth taking a picnic to enjoy on Traeth Lydan, and making time for a pint or a meal at the White Eagle pub at Rhoscolyn. This is unusual in our circular walks as it’s almost entirely following the official coastal path, with only a short return section on the road through Rhoscolyn. If time permits, its worth extending the walk to include Porth Saint and the viewpoint at Hirfron .
Aberffraw is now a small village on the west coast of Anglesey, but was once the location of the court of the princes of Gwynedd. The local pub is aptly called Y Goron (The Crown) presumably in honour. This walk takes you from the sandy beaches of Aberffraw along a low, rugged coast to Porth Cwyfan and a short return on a quiet country lane. If the tide is out, then It’s worth visiting St Cwyfan’s church (known as Church in the Sea in English), which is situated on the small islet of Cribinau.
This is absolutely our favourite spot on the entire Anglesey coast, and without doubt one of the best walks on the Welsh Coast. It has beautiful sandy beaches, and island feel without really being an island most of the time, the welsh patron saint of lover’s ruined church and two lighthouses, not to mention the amazing views towards Snowdonia and the Llyn hills. This is an absolutely magical place, with the only downsides being it’s popularity and that it’s only a short walk of an hour or two.
Dave Roberts
Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader.
Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.
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