Walk the Wales Coast Path Newborough to Menai Bridge
By Dave Roberts 
Walk the Wales Coast Path Newborough to Menai Bridge
Further Details
Route Summary:
The section of Wales Coast Path along the Anglesey side of the Menai Strait follows mainly farmland, but still has good views towards Snowdonia. One of those essential sections that are only there to join the better ones together. We do however, rate the section between the bridges!
Start and Finish: Newborough to Menai Bridge
Distance: 21.6 km
Ascent: 254 m
Time: Allow 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:
Brynsiencyn is just off path and has a shop and a pub, but nothing on this section until you reach Menai Bridge. If any section needs a good pub half way around, this is it!
Public Transport:
Traveline for UK Public Transport
Hazards:
Stepping stones at the start of the walk are IMPASSABLE at high tides! These require care in the wet as well. They look scenic, but we’d prefer a bridge!
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:
OS Explorer Map (262) Anglesey West, Landranger (114) Anglesey (OS Landranger Map)
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Walk the Wales Coast Path Newborough to Menai Bridge Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download
Download file for GPS
Walk the Wales Coast Path Newborough to Menai Bridge
This is a gentle ramble along the Menai Strait, with the most exciting part being the risk of slipping into the water at Dwyran and being swept out to sea while you cross the stepping stones (seriously, take care!). Check the two images out in the gallery below where we were forced to divert on this occasion. This isn’t easily diverted around either – with the main footpath east-west barbwired over (Aug 2015) and the addition of further road walking. The walk is otherwise pleasant enough, along farmland in the main, with the views across to the mainland providing interest. The final section under Britannia Bridge and into Menai Bridge provide plenty of interest towards the end.
From the Peny-lon roundabout to the south of Newborough the Wales Coast Path heads towards a set of stepping stones to cross the Afon Braint. Be warned that these can be tricky in the wrong conditions and we suggest crossing when the tide is lower. The photos below show what we mean! We waited half an hour when they were covered at high tide, and while we could see the top of all the stones, the force of the current and the slippery nature of the stoned meant that a diversion was the best bet on this occasion!
Beyond the Afon Braint stepping stones, the Wales Coast Path takes a route that’s mainly farmland and pebble beaches, with access to the coast problematic here. It’s ironic that the sections of road walking is the nearest to coastal walking you’ll see! The route continues in much the same vein, with parts through farmland not always clear and some navigation will be needed. Make sure your map is up to date, as the pub shown at Tal-y-foel has unfortunately been converted to a private dwelling (long before the Wales Coast Path, which might perhaps have provided enough business to keep the historic Mermaid Inn open. This one of the many pubs closed, with the next sections past Caernarfon being particularly bereft and possibly the driest section on the Welsh coast! Caernarfon is very close from here, so close that it’s swam as the Menai Straits Swim every year. We wouldn’t recommend trying it as a shortcut though!
Beyond Moel-y-don, the path becomes a write off for a number of kilometre as it heads frustratingly far inland on a diversion to avoid the National Trust property at Plas Newydd – lets only hope they allow access on this section.
Thankfully, the coastal path returns to form at Llanfairpwll as it follows the coast to Menai Bridge. It allows you some close views of the strong currents that course down the Menai Strait and why it was often historically referred to as a river in welsh. This area of tidal rapids is known as Pwll Ceris, or The Swellies in English and are the “pwll” referred to in the nearby place name of Llanfairpwll. Along this section, you’ll also get up close an personal with the two bridges that span the Menai, both Britannia Bridge and the Menai Suspension Bridge. Also worth noting on this section is the statue if Nelson below the Britannia Bridge and the church of St Mary’s on it’s own island (imaginatively named Church Island) just before you reach Menai Bridge.
Dave Roberts
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