New Section of the Wales Coast Path

There has been a distinct improvement to the route of the Wales Coast Path in the section between Caernarfon and Clynnog Fawr. We have a number of customers who want to walk all the way around from Caernarfon to Porthmadog, some 95 miles in total, but we have always been a little apologetic about the first section of the route which has always entailed a lot of roadway. Tarmac bashing on the first day of a walking holiday can upset the feet and the old route that used the old railway track (now a cycle path) went too far inland to be considered a coastal route.

However the route has now been shifted nearer the sea after a bridge has been built over the Afon Carrog. This makes for a much better route. I walked it at the weekend and was really impressed at the landscape - more like fenland than anything else, a wonderful new experience.

As you leave Caernarfon and the Mennai Strait behind, you walk around a tidal bay called Y Foryd

This is a muddy area at low tide and much favoured by wading birds

Eventually Y Foryd itself narrows as you go South and you reach the Afon Carrog, a source river to Y Foryd

The path turns North North West, a grassy stretch that is most welcome to the feet

This area was dry in Mid July. But come the winter I imagine that waders may be required.

This is the bridge over Afon Carrog

Afon Carrog

The path is raised above the fen and has some really interesting grasses.

Even at low tide there are pools of water

The views of Snowdonia are excellent.

The path leads to the Morfa Caravan Park where it turns sharply left towards the sea.

The path heads for the sea

The path turns to Tarmac again

The path passes Caernarfon Airport

The Caernarfon Air Museum is part of the Airport

The hills of Bwlch Mawr and the Yr Eifl range beckon to the West

Caernafon Airport is used by small aircraft only and it is possible to buy a pleasure flight at a reasonable price.

Once the path reaches the dyke which protects the low lying land from the sea, you have to take a steep left turn along the top of the dyke where a tarmac road runs. If it is low tide then you have a marvellous walk along the sandy beach as above.

A fabulous view of Bwlch Mawr, Gyrn Goch and Yr Eifl as you approach Dinas Dinlle.

The path eventually reaches Dinas Dinlle, a terminal moraine (in geographic terms) but later made into an Iron Age fort which was taken over as a Roman signalling station and is now being steadily eroded by the sea. There are pubs, public toilets and cafes in this settlement. A great opportunity for fish and chips.