Walking on Anglesey

Anglesey is an unspoilt haven for walking with its towering cliffs, broad sandy beaches, idyllic rocky coves, woodlands and marshes. Much of the coast of the island is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and there is a huge variety of wildlife and habitats for such a small island. It’s not unusual to spot seals and porpoise in the sea or to have peregrine falcons and chough circling over head. Anglesey also has a deep history and many walks pass neolithic standing stones or burial mounds, celtic hill forts and settlements or evidence of past industrial heritage.

There are many accessible short walks for families providing plenty of interest for the inquisitive. For those that are more adventurous there is the 125 mile Anglesey Coastal Path. This is not to be taken lightly as it climbs more than 4000m along the route but also provides access to the stunning wild coastline. It has quickly become established as one of the UK’s premier long distance walking routes.

Anglesey has become so established as a destination for walkers that it has its own annual two-week walking festival when guides are available to lead some of the Islands prime routes.

Outdoor Alternative provides 4-star green award winning group accommodation on the coastal path and regularly welcomes walking groups to the Island. With ample space to leave your boots, hang waterproofs and drying facilities available if required, the accommodation is set up with active groups in mind. We can even provide a cooked breakfast and packed lunch to keep you going through the day.

Our on site activity provider, B-Active, offers guided local interest walks covering the history, folklore and geology of the Island.

Some of our favourite walks:

The Rhoscolyn loop –  6 miles ‘Easy to Moderate’ (with numerous options for shortening or extending the loop)

This is the walk we do most often and follows well marked paths and minor roads with one short steep climb. Starting at the Centre it crosses Borthwen beach and climbs the hill to the old coastguard lookout on Rhoscolyn head with superb views to the Beacon islands and across to Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula. The route then passes St Gwenfaen’s Well and rounds the rocky headland to Porth Saint (Saint’s Bay). At this point we recommend staying on the coastal path to round the next headland where you will see the stunning White and Black sea arches (Bwa Gwyn and Bwa Ddu). Returning to Rhoscolyn Church you may get diverted by the White Eagle pub for refreshments before continuing your walk to Silver Bay and back along the coast to the Centre. Map Link

Holyhead Mountain and South Stack – 5 miles ‘Moderate’

Newborough and Ynys Llanddwyn Island – 4 miles ‘Easy’

Easy to follow route along possibly the most beautiful beach on the island. There’s a £3 toll for the car park at SH 415 649, so make sure you’ve got change. Simply follow the beach to Llanddwyn Island and walk out to the lighthouse at the end and return. Be aware that the island is cut off at high tide and you should plan your walk accordingly. There is a great deal of interest on the walk. The forests are home to a population of red squirrels and there are fantastic dunes and salt marshes at the end of the Menai Strait. Ynys Llanddwyn is associated with the Welsh patron saint of love – Santes Dwynwen, and the remains of her church can still be seen on the island. Many Welsh speakers celebrate her feast day on the 25th of January as opposed to that of the more commercialised St Valentine. The geology of the island is also of international importance. you will pass pillow lavas on the beach as you reach the Island and the incredible ‘melange’ a jumble of many different rocks can be found on the beach below the lighthouse. Map Link

Useful links for walking on Anglesey:

Mud and Routes – A fantastic resource for walkers on Anglesey, North Wales and beyond…

Weatherman Walking – from the BBC Wales TV series

Wales Coast Path – a collection of walks on the Anglesey section of the path

Anglesey Walking Festival – a blog with some details about the annual festival

Anglesey is an unspoilt haven for walking with its towering cliffs, broad sandy beaches, idyllic rocky coves, woodlands and marshes. Much of the coast of the island is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and there is a huge variety of wildlife and habitats for such a small island. It’s not unusual to spot seals and porpoise in the sea or to have peregrine falcons and chough circling over head. Anglesey also has a deep history and many walks pass neolithic standing stones or burial mounds, celtic hill forts and settlements or evidence of past industrial heritage.

the area is perfect for our walking group, you can take our numbers and the catering is a bonus