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Walk the Wales Coast Path Holyhead to Trearddur Bay

By Dave Roberts   

on December 16, 2020   5/5 (1)

Walk the Wales Coast Path Holyhead to Trearddur Bay

Further Details

Route Summary:

A Spectacular section of the Wales Coastal Path that takes in the South Stack Lighthouse, and finishes in the picturesque Treaddur Bay.

Start and Finish: Holyhead to Trearddur Bay

Distance: 19.8 km

Ascent: 566 m

Time: Allow 6 hours

Timings are approximate and depend on the individual. Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Facilities:

Few on the route, but there’s a cafe at South Stack. Pubs in Trearddur Bay.

Public Transport:

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Hazards:

Some sections are along high clifftops and can feel exposed.

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:

Recommended Wales Coast Path Maps

Walk the Wales Coast Path Holyhead to Trearddur Bay Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

Download file for GPS

Walk the Wales Coast Path Holyhead to Trearddur Bay

From Holyhead / Caergybi the Wales Coast Path takes a spectacular route around Mynydd y Twr / Holyhead Mountain to South Stack and along equally rugged coast south to Trearddur Bay.

Caergybi (Holyhead) is welsh for Cybi’s Fort or Castle, and is the site of a roman fort from around the 4th century, associated with the Roman Fort at Segontium  which can be found on the Caernarfon section of the Wales Coast Path a few days ahead. There’s also a watchtower known as Caer y Tŵr on top of Mynydd y Twr (Holyhead Mountain) which translates as Mountain of the Tower. The fort was later taken over by St Cybi who established a monastery there. His church, St Cybi’s still stands there. This was the official start of the Anglesey Coast Path, which is largely superseded now by the Wales Coast Path. The walls that remain are substantial for a roman fort, you could almost walk along the ramparts in places!

From here, the path continues towards Holyhead Marina, Holyhead Breakwater – the longest in the UK and up and past old derelict building known as Soldier’s Point. This striking building, resembling a castle from some angles was a mansion built in 1849 by Charles Rigby who was the chief engineer responsible for building the breakwater. It was later a hotel, before being gutted by fire in 2011. The coastal path now takes to the coast again, passing the Penrhos Coastal Park before heading along the spectacular coastal scenery towards South Stack.

Mynydd y Twr, or Holyhead Mountain may only be 220 metres high, but it rises steeply from the Irish Sea at this point. Combine that with steep cliffs and you’re left with what’s the best couple of kilometres of coastal walking in North Wales. The path keeps high before descending to North Stack / Ynys Arw which used to house a fog horn. The magazine for the warning cannon is still to be seen on the route.

The coastal path then skirts high around Gogarth Bay, climbing from just above sea level to around 150 metres and the highest point the Wales Coast Path reaches on Anglesey. These sea cliffs are steep and extremely popular with climbers, you’ll probably spot a few if you look closely. The summit of Mynydd y Twr should be tagged onto the route at this point, adding only a short distance. A good track leads on to the lighthouse at South Stack / Ynys Lawd, but the official route doesn’t descend to it. We’d suggest adding some time to your day to fit it in. You’ll also pass the former folly of Elin’s Tower that’s been refurbished into an RSPB information centre but you’ll probably want to pop into the RSPB centre further up as there’s a cafe – but as of March 2019 this is undergoing redevelopment and may be in mobile facilities – check out the RSPB South Stack site for updates.

The next section towards Trearddur Bay would be a highlight on any other section but is somewhat overshadowed by the coast you’ve just covered. The coast south is rugged, taking you initially along the bay known as Abraham’s Bosom and the headland of Penrhyn Mawr. It’s then small rocky coves in quick succession, with some such as Porth Dafarch, Porth y Corwgl and Porth y Post boasting intimate sandy beaches. Of these, Porth Dafarch is the star, a cosy blue flag beach owned by the National Trust. The path continues past further rocky coves before ending the day at the upmarket resort at Trearddur Bay and it’s wide sandy beach.

 

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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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