Walk the Wales Coast Path Menai Bridge to Red Wharf Bay
By Dave Roberts 
Walk the Wales Coast Path Menai Bridge to Red Wharf Bay
Further Details
Route Summary:
A long stretch of mixed bag walking from Menai Bridge to Red Wharf Bay.
Start and Finish: Menai Bridge to Red Wharf Bay
Distance: 31 km
Ascent: 508 m
Time: Allow at least 8 hours
Timings are approximate and depend on the individual. Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.
Facilities:
Plenty of facilities in Menai Bridge and Beaumaris. PIlot House Cafe at Penmon and an excellent pub – The Ship Inn at Red Wharf Bay that’s the real reason we chose to end this section here!
Public Transport:
Local buses s serve the start of the route, and you can walk to the main road from Red Wharf Bay for the bus service.
Traveline for UK Public Transport
Hazards:
Some sections along Red Wharf Bay are tidal
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 Menai Bridge to Red Wharf Bay Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download
Download file for GPS
Walk the Wales Coast Path Menai Bridge to Red Wharf Bay
The section of Wales Coast Path between Menai Bridge and Red Wharf Bay is a long section with any shorter versions either providing logistical problems or resulting in a short first leg to Biwmares. That option does give the walker the opportunity to explore this fascinating town and castle, and would make an ideal ‘rest’ day for the through-walker. This section not only takes in Beaumaris, but also Penmon Point and the newly opened stretch of coastline between Penmon and Red Wharf Bay. There’s still one section of inland walking on that part, but the access is improving year on year.
1 This section of the Anglesey Coast Path starts by the roundabout at Menai Bridge on the Anglesey side of the Menai Suspension Bridge. Take the path down to the left (facing away from the bridge. This descends to the banks of the Menai Straits. Continue along the seafronts of Menai Bridge, with the bridge itself an obvious highlight of this section.
2 The path soon leaves the coast, and a section of road walking on wide pavements awaits. There are glimpses right towards the straits and the forbidden islands of Ynys Faelog, Ynys Gaint, Ynys Castell and Ynys y Big which are all private. The path heads off left on a minor road after around 1km, which marks the start of a grim road section through Llandegfan of around 3km. It’s aminor road, but there’s not always a pavement and traffic can feel faster than it is on this section.
3 Finally, the path leaves the road for a short distance as it crosses open ground and some excellent views across to Bangor and the mountains of Snowdonia beyond. This is but a short section, and you’re back on tarmac far too soon, downhill all the way into Beaumaris.
4 The path follows the seafront at Beaumaris, but it’s worth a diversion into the fascinating town and perhaps to make some time to visit Edward I’s Beaumaris Castle. If following this route in one day, you’ll struggle to fit it in. There are extensive views from the front towards Snowdonia, before the path takes an easy and grassy path along the coast towards Penmon.
5 Again, there’s far too much of this section on road. With a few sections crossing the beach providing some interest. If time permits, then you may want to visit the castle at Aberlleiniog. It’s barely known, especially in comparison to the more famous castle at Beaumaris, but worth a quick visit as it’s only five minutes off the Wales Coast Path and at least gives you the opportunity to visit one castle today. On reaching Penmon, the priory and dovecote there provide even more historical interest and you’d be hard pressed to finish this section in a day if you’re a serious history buff. A final stretch of road (yet again!) brings you up and over to Trwyn Penmon Point. It’s well worth stopping off at the PIlot House Cafe here, which is open most of the year (worth contacting them if travelling off season and depending on them to be open).
The lighthouse and views towards Ynys Seiriol, Puffin Island or Priestholm, provide an excellent spot for lunch and some photo opportunities. It’s a popular spot to drive to as well, so you’ll be unlikely to have it all to yourself.
6 From Pwynt Penmon Point, the Coast Path again defies it’s name and heads inland across farmland to avoid the disused DInmor Limestone Quarries. It’s hopeful that a new section will open on the coast here soon, as there are numerous right’s of way down to the coast, but for now you’ll need to head towards the hamlet of Caim and Mariandyrys on a mix of lanes and bridleways.
7 At Mariandyrys, the path returns to the coast on a newly opened section between Traeth Gwyn and Traeth Coch (White and Red Beaches respectively). It’s rather striking that one look at the OS map for this stretch yields not a single landmark name.
8 The path across the shores of Red Wharf Bay is wet in places and might need care in tidal conditions. There’s a tidal diversion in place if needed, but be aware that this section is rather boggy in nature.
Dave Roberts
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