Walks around Pen Llyn / Lleyn Peninsula
Put your best walking boots on and explore!
With nearly 100 miles of stunning coastline, an array of hills of varying height inland plus the majestic mountains of Snowdonia on its doorstep, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Choose from wandering along gently undulating landscapes suitable for walkers of all ages and abilities, follow one of the many trails or take a guided walk.
Wherever you go, the views will be spectacular and there is nothing quite like walking through maritime heathland on a summer’s day with blue sky and white clouds above a sea of purple around you and blue water offshore.
The Llyn Coastal Path is a long distance footpath running along the coast of the Llyn Peninsula for 84 miles. The route passes through hidden coves, along cliff top paths, through small harbours and towns such as Porthmadog, detours slightly inland where it rises to as much as 300m and covers the coast of both north and south Llyn.
Here’s a simple guide to get you started;
Yr Eifl
This is the highest point on the Llyn Peninsula with three peaks – Tre’r Ceiri (485m), Garn Ganol (564m) and Garn For (444m). Tre’r Ceiri has one of the best examples of an Iron Age hill fort in Northern Europe. Garn Ganol (564m) has been extensively quarried and granite from here has been used to pave the streets of London and for curling stones used in the Olympics. The best place to start any walk is on the road to Nant Gwrtheyrn. From the car park, walk along the track you can see working its way across the side of the hill and you will come to Bwlch Yr Eifl, between Garn For and Garn Ganol, the highest point on the peninsula. From here you can choose whether to do Garn For or walk up Garn Ganol.
Morfa Nefyn and Porth Dinllaen
The fishing village of Porthdinllaen is colourful and picturesque. The beach is home to one of the best situated pubs on the peninsula and has a golf course on the headland behind it. Head for Nefyn on the A497 and go straight into Morfa Nefyn. At the crossroads in the middle of the village, go straight over and continue until you see the National Trust car park on your right.
Traeth Penllech
Traeth Penllech is a long bay on the north side of the peninsula and makes you really feel you are away from it all. At high tide there is only a limited stretch of beach, but at low tide this opens up into a large expanse of sand. The coastal path follows the cliffs along much of the bay. Head towards Aberdaron from Nefyn, turn right at the crossroads after the sign for Llangwnadl and follow this lane to another crossroads where you need to turn right again. About a mile along this lane you will see a large car park on your left.
Porthor (Porth Oer) & Mynydd Carreg (Whistling Sands)
There are only two places in Europe where the sand particles on the beach are the right shape for it to “squeak” under your feet and this is one. There is a small shop and café on the beach which is open during the summer months. From the B4413 from Pwllheli, turn right just after Pen-y-Groeslon, signposted Porth Oer/Whistling Sands. Follow this road and turn left at the triangle and after about half a mile, turn right onto the lane that runs to the beach, signposted Porth Oer, the car park is easy to see at the top of the lane.
Pen-y-Cil
At the southern end of the tip of the peninsula, the cliff top path gives spectacular views across Aberdaron Bay and beyond. If you choose to walk to the tip, you will be rewarded with views across to Ynys Enlli/Bardsey Island. From Aberdaron village centre turn up the hill for Uwchmynydd leaving the village. At the first junction, take the first left, signposted Uwchmynyndd, then take the next left and a little way down this lane you will come across a National Trust car park, signposted “Cwrt”.
Mynydd Tir-y-Cwmwd, Llanbedrog
Llanbedrog is dominated by the huge rock that pushes its way out into the sea between the village and Abersoch. The headland rises to 132 metres with spectacular views from the summit. On the northeast side of the headland stands a statue, “the weary traveler”, which is made of lots of strips of metal so it “sings” on a windy day. On entering Llanbedrog from Pwllheli, turn left by the garage and follow this road and round the corner to the right where you can see the church on your left. Take the first left after the corner up a steep hill. A little way up the lane you will see some parking spaces on the right just after the caravan park.
Lon Cob Bach
The recent development of good wide paths in this local nature reserve opens it up to be enjoyed by all. These saltwater marshes are protected by the Cob and are below the high tide mark on the other side of the embankment. This area is full of wildlife and yet is in the middle of the town! From the centre of Pwllheli, head in the direction of Abersoch/Nefyn and turn into Ffordd Caerdydd (Cardiff Road), signposted “Golf Course”, and then turn right at the next mini roundabout. Take the next left and the car park is about 100 yards on the right.
Afon Dwyfor, Llanystumdwy
The Afon Dwyfor is the largest river on the peninsula and flows down from the western slopes of Snowdonia, through Llanystumdwy and then out into Tremadog Bay. The wooded mile or so upstream from Llanystumdwy is very picturesque, particularly in the autumn when the leaves are changing colour. There is also a nice tea shop in the village to finish off your walk. Park in the centre of Llanystumdwy, near the bridge.
Y Cob, Porthmadog
The Cob is the artificial embankment that was built by William Madocks to reclaim thousands of acres of land from the sea. The Ffestiniog Railway runs alongside, boats will be coming in and going out of the harbour, you can watch the tide run up or down the huge mass of sand to the south west and even see the summit of Snowdon and other Snowdonia mountains. There is ample parking around Porthmadog – the walk starts from the Ffestiniog Railway Station on the harbour side.
Remember to bring your walking boots and a suitable waterproof jacket.
In partnership with Adventure Elements, Coastal Holidays can offer an adventure package which includes accommodation, walking and mountaineering expeditions, sea kayaking and other adventure activities – contact us for more details.
