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Complete the 95 mile Lleyn Coastal Path offered by supplier M16788 (read about supplier) Key Information: Tour Duration: 10 day(s) Group Size: 1 - 4 people Destination(s): Wales   Specialty Categories: Walking Tours   Season: January - December Airfare Included: No Tour Customizable: No Minimum Per Person Price: 540 Pound Sterling (GBP) Maximum Per Person Price: 680 Pound Sterling (GBP)

The Lleyn Peninsula Coastal Path is an ideal introduction to long distance walking. Most of the walk is close to sea level, so beginners will not be too overwhelmed. However the route features a surprising variety of scenery including hills, open moorland, rugged cliffs and sandy beaches. The walk starts in Caernarfon, a Royal Town with possibly the most impressive medieval castle in North Wales. It then follows the coast south to Clynnog Fawr, which was a centre for pilgrims on their way to Bardsey Island, before ascending onto the high open moorland of Bwlch Mawr on the western edge of Snowdonia.

After a visit to Tre'r Ceiri, a fascinating Iron Age Hill Fort, the path meanders down to the coast through the dramatic glacial valley of Nant Gwrtheyrn. After a brief diversion inland to see the charming little pilgrim's church at Pistyll the path then sticks close to the coast. Visitors can stop for a meal at the little town of Nefyn and then go seal spotting as the path alternates between rocky cliff-tops and wide beaches. As it nears Aberdaron the path climbs the low hills at the tip of the peninsula giving superb views both north east along almost the entire length of the walk and south west to Bardsey Island.

After passing through the pretty fishing village of Aberdaron the path heads east along the southern coast to Mynydd Rhiw and the vast expanse of Hell's Mouth beach, popular with surfers. At the other side of Hell's Mouth is the busy seaside town of Abersoch with plenty of cafes and shops, followed by the famous "Tin-Man" sculpture on the hill overlooking Llanbedrog.

Further east lies Pwllheli with its shops and restaurants, Llanystumdwy the home village of Lloyd George and Criccieth with the remains of its castle that was besieged and then demolished by Owain Glyndwr. The last town on the path is Porthmadog where you can catch a train into the foothills of Snowdonia.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Your journey will start at the Royal town of Caernarfon with its mighty fortress built by King Edward 1st. Your accommodation will be at the well appointed Bryn Hyfryd Guest House. The town has excellent restaurants.

Day 2: We will meet you at breakfast and issue you with detailed maps and instruct you in the use of a pre-programmed GPS unit. Follow the Lleyn Coastal Path along the Menai Strait, past the Nature reserve marshland at Y Foryd and then inland to follow a cycle track and lanes until you reach village of Clynnog Fawr. Clynnog was the traditional assembly point for pilgrims making the journey to Bardsey Island, and contains a fine church, chapel and holy well dedicated to St Beuno. Your luggage will be waiting for you at the Beuno Inn, a friendly village inn with a good evening menu and en suite rooms. Distance = 18 km/11 miles.

Day 3: After breakfast set out over the high moors at Bwlch Mawr, or along the coast to Trefor. Then continue up over the Yr Eifl Hills. You will then walk down to the village of Llithfaen where you will be picked up and returned to the Beuno. Distance = 19 km/12 miles.

Day 4: You will be returned to Llithfaen before walking to the coast at the old quarry village of Nant Gwrtheyrn which has now been converted to a Welsh Language College and Heritage Centre. Continue west along the wooded cliffs until you reach Nefyn where you will be staying the night in the Caeau Capel Hotel. This hotel also has en suite facilities and excellent evening meals, as well as wireless broadband if you need to keep in touch with friends or business. Distance = 16 km/10 miles.

Day 5: Walk along the coast from the Caeau Capel. This part of the walk includes some fine coastal scenery and the picturesque village of Porth Dinllaen situated right on the beach. Seals are often visible basking on this stretch of coast. At the end of the walking day, we will pick you up from Porth Colmon near Llangwnnadl and return you to the Caeau Capel. Distance = 24 km/15 miles.

Day 6: After breakfast, we will return you to the coast to complete sections 6 and 7 which finish in Aberdaron itself. This section skirts the elevated headland at the end of the peninsula and offers excellent views both back east as far as the Yr Eifl hills and west across the sea to Bardsey Island. Your accommodation for the night will be at the Ship Hotel, a lively village pub with en suite bedrooms and excellent food. Distance = 18 km/11 miles.

Day 7: If weather conditions are good, take the ferry across to Bardsey Island, or Ynys Enlli in Welsh. Bardsey with its monastery was the destination point for the medieval pilgrimages along the coast of the Lleyn. The monks have now been replaced by a wide variety of seabirds, wild flowers and a thriving colony of seals- sea voyage costs £28 per head giving you 3.5 hours to explore this beautiful island with abundant wildlife. The sea crossing requires calm weather to go ahead as the sea between Bardsey and the mainland can become very rough. If the weather is poor then you could enjoy a well-earned rest day in Aberdaron and visit the beaches and celebrated church of St. Hywyn’s.

Day 8: Walk east from Aberdaron, past the NT house at Plas y Rhiw, on to Abersoch via Porth Neigwl (Hell’s Mouth) a large stretch of sand that acquired its name because of the number of Ships wrecked in its treacherous waters. The bay now has a rather better reputation as an excellent spot for surfing. Your accommodation for the night will be at the Llysfor Guest House in Abersoch (all en suite). Distance = 20 km/13 miles or less if you wish.

Day 9: Continue eastwards along the coast towards the seaside town of Pwllheli, the principal town on the peninsula. You will spend the night in the Llys Gwyrfai Guest House on the seafront (all en suite). Distance = 12 km/8 miles.

Day 10: Walk from Pwllheli to Porthmadog where you will stay at the Tudor Lodge. All bedrooms are en-suite Distance = 24 km/15 miles. Alternatively you could take the train either all the way to Porthmadog or part of the way and stop at Criccieth to see the ruined castle and just walk the last section.

Day 11 After breakfast we will return you to your car if you brought one with you so that you can set off for home. Alternatively, if you wish to stay additional nights, a good option would be to use the railways around Porthmadog. There is the classic steam-driven Ffestiniog railway which takes you into the Snowdonian mountains, as well as the ordinary coastal line service which can take you down the coast to some very beautiful locations including Portmeirion, Harlech Castle and the Mawddach Estuary.

Every effort will be made to book customers into the locations listed above, but in the event that any of them are unavailable we will substitute an equivalent nearby hotel or guest house.

Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.

Price Includes:
- Bed and Breakfast accommodation for 10 nights
- Loan of maps and a GPS unit to aid navigation
- Luggage transport from hotel to hotel and minibus transport as described.

Price Excludes:
- Transport to or from Porthmadog.

note: Supplement for single occupancy of a room is £10 per night.

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Europe   Wales   Outdoor: Land Rambler   Walking Tours  

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