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Aberdesach to Dinas Dinlle Wales Coastal Path Circular Walk

By Dave Roberts   

on July 4, 2015    No ratings yet.

Posted as a walk in – Europe, Wales, Wales Coast Path

Aberdesach to Dinas Dinlle Wales Coastal Path Circular Walk

Route Essentials

Route Summary

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

13.72 km

Ascent

90 m

Time

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Difficulty

Hazards

Weather Forecast:

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Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Aberdesach to Dinas Dinlle Wales Coastal Path Circular Walk Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

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Aberdesach to Dinas Dinlle Wales Coastal Path Circular Walk

This is a circular route on the Wales Coastal Path, but one that’s not what it seems. Half the walk is along the coast, but this isn’t the coastal path, and you return inland along what is the coastal path! The reason being that the route here is a fully coastal walk along the shore that can only be walked when the tide is out. There are also a couple of small rivers to cross which could be tricky after heavy rain (though there had been thunderstorms the previous night to our crossing, they were an easy paddle!)

1 The route starts off in Aberdesach on the A499 between Caernarfon and Pwllheli. If you’re driving, then you’d follow the minor road down to the beach to the small parking area, or walk down there from the road.

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2 If you can’t see the seaweed covered rocks then the tide is probably in too far to attempt this safely. If it’s safe, then turn right across a small footbridge across the first of three streams (Afon Desach) and the last of the footbridges! You’ll pass a few beach chalets here that are just beautifully positioned.

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3 While there is a path along the clifftop, this is overgrown and eroded in places. Follow the beach instead, which provides largely easy going if you follow the strip of hard sand (we ran this and managed a respectable pace, so walking is no problem!). The beach continues along the headland, marked Trwyn Maen Dylan, and a large rock (the aforementioned Maen Dylan).

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4 The beach does become more mixed for the next few kilometres. You first reach a small collection of well kept chalets, and a few 100m beyond you reach the Afon Llyfni along a wide bay. Now this is a proper river, having it’s source somewhere near Rhyd Ddu at the foot of Snowdon, so you know it’s not going to be a pushover. There were some swans that didn’t want to be disturbed guarding the narrowest section, but walking downstream there was a wide and shallow area that was easy to cross barefoot. It may be a bit higher than your boots, so boots off and enjoy the cool water!

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5 You can continue along the beach for around 3 km, with the going becoming easier as you go along. There is a small stream – Afon Llifon that you need to cross, but this is dammed by the shingle and can simply be bypassed by walking a bit lower down.

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6 You can leave the beach just before Dinas Dinlle and walk along the clifftops to the hillfort at Dinas Dinlle, however we continued to the village and then turned right along the minor road that is now the Wales Coastal Path. This can be narrow and dangerous, especially in the peak season, so we advise strongly that you follow this for the minimum distance possible and take a left at the junction for Llandwrog.

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7 If you didn’t stop for refreshments at Dinas Dinlle (there’s a café and a chippy!) then you can do so at the Ty’n Llan at Llandwrog! Continue past the pub, church and the school and the minor road brings you back out on the main A499 road.

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8 Cross the road and turn right along the A499 cycle path that’s also the Wales Coastal Path after 500m, and for a further 5km to the starting point. While we may not be particularly gushing about this section, there are some good views towards the sea and a good section of it avoids the main road completely for a while. You could also divert at Pen-y-groeslon and follow a minor road that brings you out a few minutes from the start.

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

Route Start Location:

Distance
Ascent
Time
13.72 km 90 m

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: 

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

Check out the businesses nearby for more places to stay and drink.

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 Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking :

Public Transport:

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

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