Home » Routes » Official Wales Coast Path Route » Wales Coast Path – North Wales - Chester to Menai Bridge » Walk the Wales Coast Path North Wales – Colwyn Bay to Llandudno West

Walk the Wales Coast Path North Wales – Colwyn Bay to Llandudno West

By Dave Roberts   

on December 16, 2020   No ratings yet.

Posted in Wales Coast Path – North Wales - Chester to Menai Bridge

Walk the Wales Coast Path North Wales – Colwyn Bay to Llandudno West

Further Details

Route Summary:

The Wales Coast Path finally gets some views as the trail between Colwyn Bay and Llandudno climbs over Little and Great Orme.

Start and Finish: Colwyn Bay to Llandudno West

Distance: 16.9 km

Ascent: 469 m

Time: 5 hours with sightseeing

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

Facilities:

Absolutely plenty along the route as it walks along a promenade for most of the duration. Even the section around the Orme has a cafe!

Public Transport:

Railway stations at both end and plenty of buses though you may need to walk into Llandudno from West Shore to find the best service.

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:

Recommended Wales Coast Path Maps: 

Walk the Wales Coast Path North Wales – Colwyn Bay to Llandudno West Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

Download file for GPS

Walk the Wales Coast Path North Wales – Colwyn Bay to Llandudno West

From Colwyn Bay, the Wales Coast Path takes the promenade to Llandudno before heading around the headland of the Great Orme / Pen-y-Gogarth and back to Llandudno West.

Starting at Colwyn Bay promenade, the day’s objective of the Great Orme is clearly visible. Before then, the route takes us on easy urban walking through two more seaside resorts – Llandrillo-yn-rhos (Rhos on Sea) and Penrhyn Bay. This is all road or pavement walking, pleasant enough if you can manage to do it out of season as it can be rather busy in the peak season.

Breakwater, Rhos-on-Sea
Rhos-on-sea
Wales Coast Path at Penrhyn Bay

Beyond Penrhyn Bay you come to the very first proper climb on the Wales Coast Path as it takes to Creigiau Rhiwledyn or Little Orme in English, a taster of things to come. It also provides you with a viewpoint to look back on the North Wales Coast and register the progress made so far (if only from Colwyn Bay, for those walking it in bite-sized chunks!) On the climb up, you’ll also pass the first cove on the path – Porth Dyniewaid near the headlands of Trwyn y Fuwch.

Porth Dyniewaid (Angel Bay), Little Orme
Little Ormes Head Trigpoint
The isthmus of Great Orme’s Head This view from Little Orme shows the isthmus of Great Orme’s Head peninsula. The town of Llandudno is built largely on this low-lying neck of land.

The final section follows the wide promenade at Llandudno before heading around the Great Orme on a minor road. It may be road walking, but it’s still pleasant enough walk considering the views as you ascend to around 150m. The entire eastern coast of Anglesey is clearly visible, a good two day’s walking away. You can stop off at the Rest and Be Thankful cafe at the half way spot to take the view in. A diversion to the summit of the Orme from here is possible and worth doing if time permits. Finally, the Wales Coast Path descends to Llandudno West Shore with it’s sandy beach and views across to Snowdonia.

 

Please rate this

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.

Related Posts

Wales Coast Path Sections

Guidebooks and Maps

Leave a Reply