Walk the Wales Coast Path From Llanfairfechan to Menai Bridge
By Dave Roberts
on December 16, 2020 3/5 (1)
Walk the Wales Coast Path From Llanfairfechan to Menai Bridge
Further Details
Route Summary:
This section starts in Llanfairfechan and follows a pleasant route along the Menai Straits to Bangor, before crossing the Menai Bridge to Porthaethwy.
Start and Finish: Llanfairfechan to Menai Bridge
Distance: 21.4 km
Ascent: 222 m
Time: 5 hours or so
Timings are approximate and depend on the individual. Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.
Facilities:
Shops and cafe in Llanfairfechan, Pubs in Bangor (all facilities in the City) and usual facilities in Menai Bridge
Public Transport:
Plenty of buses between Llanfairfechan and Bangor, with connecting service to Menai Bridge. Train also an option between Bangor, Llanfairfechan and Llainfairpwll.
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.
Walk the Wales Coast Path From Llanfairfechan to Menai Bridge Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download
Download file for GPS
Walk the Wales Coast Path From Llanfairfechan to Menai Bridge
This section starts in Llanfairfechan and follows a pleasant route along the Menai Straits to Bangor, before crossing the Menai Bridge to Porthaethwy.
From Llanfairfechan the Wales Coast Path leaves the town and heads towards the promenade. The promenade is followed for a short distance and is easy to follow. The prom ends and the path continues on a wide and easy to follow path before arriving at a nature reserve at Glan-y-mor Elias. Don’t be tempted to follow the path left, this leads into the nature reserve and a dead end. Take the path right towards the shore even if the way-marking isn’t as explicit as it could be, keeping to the right of the gate to follow a rough path on the shore as the path becomes wilder. This section is pleasant, and the coast path begins to feel a bit wilder. Especially with the views of the Carneddau dominating to the left. On reaching Abergwyngregyn car park, the village is only 10 minutes diversion where you’ll find a couple of cafes.
The coast path continues in much the same vein towards Aber Ogwen, where the path heads inland to avoid the National Trust property at Castell Penrhyn Castle. We can only hope that this section is soon opened as a coastal walk rather than plodding through the fields. The Lon Las Ogwen makes for a pleasant return to the coast at Porth Penrhyn before heading along Hirael Bay towards the Garth area of the city of Bangor. You can head into the city from here to visit the cathedral or stock up on supplies. There are also a number of pubs along this section (fewer than there used to be) and the Tap and Spile opposite Bangor Pier serves good real ales. Bangor Pier is an excellent example of it’s type and we recommend you include this in your schedule (it will add around 1km to the walk).
The final section of takes you along the Menai Straits to the town of Menai Bridge over Telford’s iconic suspension bridge which is one of the few sections of Wales Coast Path that is walked in both directions.