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Wales Coast Path Circular Walk – Ynys Llanddwyn

By Dave Roberts   

on December 16, 2020   5/5 (2)

Posted in Other Wales Coast Path Routes

Wales Coast Path Circular Walk – Ynys Llanddwyn

Further Details

Route Summary:

If you’re going to walk one section of the Anglesey Coast, then this is an excellent choice.

Start and Finish: Traeth Llanddwyn Parking

Distance: 5.6 km

Ascent: 40 m

Time: Allow 2 hours, but worth spending half a day (and another half on the beach?!)

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

Facilities:

Toilets and catering van.

Public Transport:

None – nearest bus stop in Newborough/Niwbwrch

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Hazards:

In exceptional conditions Llanddwyn can be cut off, be aware of tidal conditions.

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: 

Wales Coast Path Circular Walk – Ynys Llanddwyn Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

Download file for GPS

Wales Coast Path Circular Walk – Ynys Llanddwyn

Ynys Llanddwyn is one of the most well known locations on the Anglesey coast and well worth a visit. While you can’t beat walking it on the Wales Coast Path – Malltraeth to Newborough Via Ynys Llanddwyn it does make a cracking family day out as you can easily combine the walk with a day out at the beach for the less active. The route starts from the car park at Newborough Forest near Niwbwrch / Newborough.

Route Details

1 The walk can be completed either as a simple circular, or as an out and back and in either direction. From the car park head right along the forestry track which you need to follow for around 1km before you reach a junction. Turn left at the junction and you’ll soon reach the beach.

2 Head down to the beach and towards the information sign (with a roof) that denotes the start of the walk onto Ynys Llanddwyn.

3 Follow the easy track, with a few options either side that can also be followed for variety. The island of Llanddwyn is only aroiund 1km long, so it doesn’t take long for the ruins of Santes Dwynwen’s chapel to come into view. Saint Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers and the welsh equivalent of St Valentine. January 25th is celebrated by some in Wales in the same way as  St Valentines. It dates from somewhere around the early sixteenth century.

4 Once you reach the ruins of St Dwynwen’s Church, the views towards the far end of Ynys Llanddwyn open up. You can visit the Pilot’s Cottages which might be open to see inside, as well as the prominent Tŵr Mawr lighthouse. Tŵr Mawr, or Llanddwyn Island Lighthouse may not be the largest structure but it stands in such a prominent location and whitewashed, that it is visible from all around. When the light is right, both the tower and the Pilot’s Cottages can be clearly seen from a distance. We can even see them from Walk the Wales Path HQ! It’s 10 metres high and was constructed in 1873 and is shaped somewhat like one of the local windmills probably as that’s what the local stonemasons were very skilled at building.

5 You can choose to return the same way, or follow some of the other footpaths that explore the island. From the information board at Gwddw Llanddwyn, you can head right along the beach for just over a kilometre before following the boardwalk back to the car park (this is the obvious exit from the beach and cannot be missed!). Alternatively, especially in season and you don’t want to go tripping over sunbathers, return the same way you came – via the forest.

 

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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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Wales Coast Path Sections

Guidebooks and Maps

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