Description

Official Guide: Wales Coast Path: North Wales Coast

One of seven Official Guides to the Wales Coast Path

Walking the North Wales Coast will surprise and delight. The coast has been justifiably popular with holidaymakers old and young since Victorian times. It is one of the most accessible stretches of the Wales Coast Path, and includes long stretches of flat promenade with plenty of seats, suitable for the less active visitor, including wheelchair users and young families with buggies. There is also excellent public transport along the whole route, with train stations at regular intervals and frequent bus services.

The Wales Coast Path begins at the Welsh border on the River Dee a couple of miles outside the historic City of Chester, then follows the river into the widening estuary, passing expanses of mudflats that are feeding grounds for thousands of wildfowl and waders. From the mouth of the estuary by Talacre lighthouse, the path leads along the beach and through the dunes at Gronant, then along promenades through a string of Victorian seaside resorts. The route then climbs the Little Orme, before following the sweeping promenade of elegant Llandudno to the magnificent Great Orme. Here the path follows Marine Drive, built as a Victorian carriage route, then continues along the coast to the Medieval walled town of Conwy. At Conwy there is a choice of routes to Llanfairechan: the more challenging upland route over the heather-clad moorland of Conwy Mountain, or a more gentle walk hugging the coast around Morfa Conwy and Penmaenmawr, with the mountains as a backdrop. From Llanfairfechan, the peaceful path stays close to the water’s edge with superb views across the Menai Straits, eventually following a disused railway line into Bangor.

This Official Guide splits the route into 8 convenient day sections, each of about 9-12 miles / 14-20 kilometres. It contains everything local and long-distance walkers need to enjoy the path.

• An overview of the North Wales Coast with dedicated history and wildlife sections
• Eight day-walk sections with detailed route descriptions and full, enhanced Ordnance Survey mapping
• Distance charts, section overviews, background information and interpretation of places of interest
• Stunning professional photographs throughoutInformation on accommodation, public transport, local information, weather, and tidal links.

Contents

• Wales Coast Path: Discover the shape of a nation
• Wales Coast Path: An 870-mile coastal adventure
• The Best of the North Wales coast
• North Wales Coast: Part of the Wales Coast Path
• Walking the North Wales coast – map and distance chart
• Day Sections
• Limited for time? – the North Wales Coast in a nutshell
• A brief history of the North Wales Coast
• Wildlife on the North Wales Coast
• Waders, wildfowl and coastal flowers
• The North Wales Coast section of the Wales Coast Path
• Day Section 1: Chester to Flint
• Docks and shipyards
• Day Section 2: Flint to Talacre
• A military stronghold
• Day Section 2b: Flint to Talacre (alternative high route)
• Day Section 3: Talacre to Pensarn
• Sand dune sanctuary
• Day Section 4: Pensarn to Llandudno
• Sun and sand
• Day Section 5: Llandudno to Conwy
• Birds and butterflies
• A hilltop stronghold
• Day Section 6a: Conwy to Llanfairfechan (low route)
• Castles and conquest
• The road to Ireland
• Day Section 6b: Conwy to Llanfairfechan (high route)
• Shipwrecks and gales
• Day Section 7: Llanfairfechan to Bangor
• Useful Information
• Welsh Coastal Place Names

What they say …

These excellent guides lay the whole Wales Coast Path at your feet — mixing practical information with the history, heritage and wildlife you will meet as you walk.

— Country Walking magazine