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Walk the Wales Coast Path From Caernarfon to Clynnog The Alternative Coastal Route

By Dave Roberts   

on May 1, 2016    5/5 (2)

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

Walk the Wales Coast Path From Caernarfon to Clynnog The Alternative Coastal Route

Route Essentials

Route Summary

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

Distance

27.67 km

Ascent

117 m

Time

6 hours

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

Start Location

Caernarfon - Clynnog Fawr

Difficulty

Hard Walk, LDP

Hazards

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
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. 

Walk the Wales Coast Path From Caernarfon to Clynnog The Alternative Coastal Route Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

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Walk the Wales Coast Path From Caernarfon to Clynnog The Alternative Coastal Route

One of the more disappointing things with the Wales Coastal Path from Caernarfon to Clynnog is that it doesn’t feel very coastal. This route however, ensures that you take in as much sea as possible along the way. There’s some issues with access on this one, but I’ve never had a problem and plenty of people walk sections of this that are off the right of way network.

The Route

1 You set off along the Llyn Coastal Path as set off in this post in the first instance, following a quiet coastal lane for about 5km until it turns inland at a sharp bend. Follow the road for about a kilometre and a half and the lane joins another back road.

2 Turn right along this backroad, but beware that the next km or so can be a bit of a rat run and there’s no pavement.

3 Pass through the hamlet of Saron and just beyond it, take the first right hand turn down another country lane that leads to the edge of Foryd Bay which you’ll walk all the way around.

4 Similar to the previous lane, it soon turns inland by a small cottage and returns you to the busier lane that you left at Saron, where you turn right for a couple of hundred metres.

5 At some houses named Chatham – turn right along the signposted footpath which leads past the back of the houses along a gravelly path that soon turns a little muddy and leads to a footbridge over the Afon Carrog.

6 The route ahead is clear as you follow the embankment, though mostly below it rather than along it as it can be rather overgrown.

7 The scenery remains the same for this section, with the embankment to one side and mudflats to the other. When you reach a caravan park, there’s a road (SH444 586) that can serve as a shortcut if you’re worried about access. Otherwise, continue onwards for 2.5km keeping to the seaward side of the embankment and ignoring the no trespassing signs where the faint track turns 90 degrees right as they refer to the farmland rather than the coastal walk. Below the high water mark, that should not be an issue.

8 You can follow the shingle beach all the way to the end of the headland, or cut across the isthmus and head directly for the causeway leading to Fort Belan.

9 Pass to the left of Fort Belan and a reasonably easy path leads through the dunes for about 3km, though it does split up after a while. Alternatively, follow the beach. Continue along the front at Dinas Dinlle, heading for the hill fort of the same name at the far end.

10 Climb the fort, and then the route is reasonably obvious as far as Ponllyfni. There’s some sections that are tough pebbles, but that’s only a short section, and a stream needs crossing at SH433 539 which could be difficult if the tide is exceptionally high.

11 On reaching the road at Pontllyfni, follow the regular route into Clynnog Fawr. Alternatively, follow the beach on into Aberdesach, before taking on the road section.

Being full of alternatives, you can also avoid most of the main road section by diverting inland, slightly, on quiet country lanes. Recommended if you have the time!

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

Route Start Location: Caernarfon - Clynnog Fawr

Distance
Ascent
Time
27.67 km 117 m 6 hours

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

Activivity Type: Hard Walk, LDP

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

All the facilities are available in Caernarfon, but not a lot on the way. Dinas Dinlle has a few cafes, with the Air Ambulance cafe open all year round. The pubs en route in Llandwrog and Clynnog are closed, with the latter now a holiday let. There is a garage in Clynnog Fawr for supplies.

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:

There are regular buses between Caernarfon and Clynnog Fawr (no 12).

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

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