Monday, 25 April 2011

Coastwalk , Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path

Newborough Forest → Llanedwen

towards-caernarfon.png Distance: 15.4 miles
Ascent: 269 metres
Duration: 5 hours 9 minutes

Returning to the Strait
« Rhosneigr | Caernarfon »

The end is in sight! Anglesey is often described as square in shape, and today's walk turned the final corner as once again we walked alongside the Menai Strait.

newborough-forest.pngThe landscape felt very different from recent walks: the open grazing on low cliffs that we have been used to was replaced first by the vast Newborough Forest and later by more formal agriculture. Although mainly pine, the forest plays host to other species as well: amongst others we saw sycamore, cherry, rowan and birch, all trying to get a secure footing in the fine sand. Information boards suggest that the red squirrel is at home here but we didn't even see a twig twitch.

We omitted the optional detour around Ynys Llanddwyn, but hope to return another day to explore this beautiful island with its lighthouse and ruined church.

afon-braint.pngAfter seven miles or so we bade farewell to the forest and - after carefully crossing the stepping stones that provide a route across Afon Braint - entered farmland. Here it seemed that landowners weren't particularly fond of walkers. In addition to the usual aggressive dogs (admittedly behind fences), we were greeted with misleading signs warning of non- existent bulls and at one point a roped-off section of path.

The Anglesey Coastal Path temporarily stops at Moel Y Don since no route has been negotiated east of that point with the landowners there - a real shame when you consider one of them is the National Trust - so we headed inland to the A4080, along which our route will continue tomorrow.

Posted by pab at 20:48 | Comments will be back later in the year. Please email me instead!