Walk the Wales Coast Path from Menai Bridge to Caernarfon
By Dave Roberts 
Walk the Wales Coast Path from Menai Bridge to Caernarfon
Further Details
Route Summary:
A pleasant to follow route along the southern shore of the Menai Strait along mostly newly built trails and cycle tracks.
Start and Finish: Menai Bridge to Caernarfon
Distance: 14.5 km
Ascent: 216 m
Time: around 4 hours
Timings are approximate and depend on the individual. Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.
Facilities:
Everything needed in Menai Bridge and Caernarfon, shops, eateries and pubs half way in Felinheli
Public Transport:
Plenty of buses to and from start / end via Bangor, but no direct route. Can get off the Caernarfon – Bangor bus at Ysgol Tryfan and walk to Menai Bridge from there.
Traveline for UK Public Transport
Hazards:
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Keeping Safe on the Wales Coast Path, Navigation and the Gear and Equipment you’ll need.
Wales Coast Path Guidebooks:
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Recommended Wales Coast Path Maps:
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Walk the Wales Coast Path from Menai Bridge to Caernarfon Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download
Download file for GPS
Walk the Wales Coast Path from Menai Bridge to Caernarfon
The Wales Coastal Path takes the walker along the entire Welsh coast. Here’s the section between Porthaethwy / Menai Bridge and Caernarfon. We’ve done it in that way as you’d be using the bridge in order to connect with the Anglesey Coastal Path, before continuing, turning the 20km or so between Bangor and Caernarfon into something more like 240km!
1 Start the route at the roundabout on the Anglesey side of the bridge, and, rather obviously, cross it over the Menai Strait to the mainland. It’s a spectacular start t the walk, and you can see the Britannia Bridge in the distance, which you’ll pass beneath later on the walk.
2 Once across the bridge, the road takes a sharp left, while the coastal path follows a minor road to the right towards Treborth Hall. Follow the minor road, before the clearly signposted path turns right into the woodland and back on the coast.
3 This is the best section of path on the Menai Strait section of the path at present, being one of the few that’s coastal to start with! It’s wooded, high above the straits and has impressive views. It’s also well-constructed, which may or may not be a bonus!
4 The path eventually passes under the Britannia Bridge – to a small section of wasteland or untidy carpark, but don’t be too disappointed as you’ll get to see the Lions of Britannia Bridge. These were immortalised in some ‘poetry’:
Pedwar llew tew
Heb ddim blew
Dau ‘ochr yma
A dau ‘ochr drew
Four fat lions
Without any hair
Two on this side
And two over there
I say ‘poetry’ as there’s no such word as ‘drew’ and it should be ‘draw’ – which doesn’t rhyme. And my welsh teacher used to complain about my spelling.
Likewise, there’ a section of the original tubular bridge here, which burned down in a fire in 1970. Follow this link for more information. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britannia_Bridge
5 Cross the car park, there’s a path to the right that’s clearly signposted, and the path returns to follow the coast for a short distance. It’s a bit muddier than the previous section, and after around 500m or so passes through a gate in wall into a plantation.
6 A waymarked trail leads through the Faenol Estate that’s newly built and easy to follow bar a single muddy scetion. Keep an eye out for the high benches that allow you to see across the Fenai. The route is a mix of woodland and a quiet lane.
7 The trail eventually emerges at an estate, but is still waymarked. Continue through this to emerge at the harbour where you’ll cross at the steel bridge (don’t be tempted to cross the locks!) It’s through another estate of housing to emerge at the Gardd Fon Pub.
8 Follow the Beach Road, which is quite straightforward, before turning left and uphill after a boatyard. Just before you reach the main road, you’ll find the Lon Fenai cycle path on the right.
9 You can follow this all the way to Caernarfon, with the first section being totally off the road before it follows the road on pavement for just under 1km until you reach a roundabout. Cross the minor road and there’s a wooden fence that marks the restarting of the cycle path. It can now be followed all the way into Caernarfon.
10 You’ll know you’re in Caernarfon as you pass houses and reach the Doc development. This section of path has more than its fair share of irresponsible dog owners (but many, many more who are responsible!), so watch your step. Turn right along the now paved seafront, past the small pier, before turning left and along Doc Victoria (Dock). There’s a pub and the Galeri arts centre (with licensed bar and decent food).
11 Finally, pass the Galeri, across a red metal footbridge, and along the town walls and the newly regenerated prom. There’s the Anglesey Arms on the front that’s an obvious spot to stop for refreshments, or the Black Boy Inn in the town walls is also highly recommended (best pub in town!) Of course, there’s also the great big castle, which the English built to subdue the Welsh in 1282, who now charge them a small fortune in order to visit the castle they originally built.
Dave Roberts
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