8 minute read
Walking
Walkingworld
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
THE ASCENT OF MYNYDD BODAFON
The island of Anglesey is a gem of a place for the outdoor enthusiast and offers a variety of activities including fishing, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding and general boating. However, it is the walker who is truly blessed in this unique place as you can choose from a stunning array of routes both long and short, and opt for an inland outing or a coastal hike and be enchanted either way. Or you can combine the seaside with a country or hill stroll and get the best of both worlds in one single excursion. This is exactly what this superb walk does and it makes excellent use of The Anglesey Coast Path that runs for 118 miles/200 km around the edge of the island. The ultimate aim of the outing is to climb to the summit of Mynydd Bodafon at a height of 584 ft./178 metres. This summit is a collection of small peaks with the main one (known as Yr Arwydd) being a superb viewpoint. It is also the highest point on the island of Anglesey, although not the highest point in the county of Anglesey – this distinction goes to Holyhead Mountain on Holy Island which rises to 722 ft./220 metres. Mynydd Bodafon stands about 2.5 miles to the west of the coastal town of Moelfre and this lengthy walk uses a variety of field paths and tracks plus a lengthy stretch of coastal walking to make an interesting outing which is rough going in places and quite strenuous overall. Certainly you should wear walking boots and full walking gear and wait for a day of clear settled weather before setting out. The walk starts at the large car park at Traeth Lligwy which is popular with beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts. After heading north along the coast and passing Porth y Mor you reach a hidden gem of a beach at Traeth Ora which must rank as one of the most secluded and hidden beaches on the whole of Anglesey. There is no car park here and visitors must arrive on foot which only adds to the appeal of the place. So there you have it – stunning coast, attractive countryside and an elevated view point all combine to give an unforgettable outing!
J Distance: 6.5 miles/10.64 kilometres J Time: Allow around 3.5 - 4 hours J Start: Use the large beach car park for Traeth Lligwy which lies at the end of a
narrow lane that runs north east from the A5025 at Brynrefail between Moelfre and
Amlwch J Grid Ref: SH 493873 J Nearest postcode: LL72 8NL J Ordnance Survey Map: Ordnance Survey
Explorer 263 – Anglesey East J What to expect: This walk uses a
combination of field paths and hill paths as
well as tracks. There is a section of coastal
walking at the start. There are plenty of ups
and downs and the going is rough in paces.
In summer some areas get a bit overgrown so take along walking poles. Avoid the route in
bad weather and wear walking boots. There
is a stretch of road walking on the route J Dogs: OK on leads J Suitable for: Experienced hill walkers J Refreshments: The Pilot Boat inn is on
the route. The Kinmel Arms is in nearby
Moelfre and refreshments and shops can be
found in Benllech
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START
Take the coast path northerly by the entrance to the
beach and by a warning sign. Rise to drop down and
cross a bridge before rising again. Continue to pass
through a kissing gate. Continue above the sea to cross
another bridge. Cut back right and curve left to pass
an old lookout building. Follow the path to descend
to a hidden cove and beach. Cross this to rise on the
coast path and pass through a kissing gate. Cross the
gate. Descend steps to climb more steps above a beach.
Shortly reach a bench and path junction with a kissing
gate. At this point the coast path heads inland.
Points of interest on this section
J Traeth Lligwy is a lovely beach which is popular with
beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts
Take the coast path left of the bench to rise on a path to 2 a farm. Cut right with the coast path which soon becomes a track. At a track junction go right to a tarmac track. Go right and then left taking the coast path through a kissing gate. Rise to pass through another kissing gate and rise up the next field. At a fence corner and marker post follow the coast path left to soon cut right along an enclosed path. When you reach an open field follow the coast path uphill. As the angle eases pass a pond left and follow the path ahead to pass through a kissing gate. Continue ahead to descend. Pass through a kissing gate to continue down the right side of the next field. At the bottom of the field pass through a kissing gate to the Pilot Boat inn. Exit the pub car park to go right along the road following the coast path. When the coast path goes right down a drive continue ahead by the road. Continue to take a footpath left before the cottage of Efail Bach – the footpath is signposted for ‘Tyddyn Bach’. Follow the track over a stile and through a kissing gate by a cattle grid. Rise beyond and at a junction left continue towards a cottage. Just before the cottage of Tyddyn
Bach go left through a gate to follow the path right passing the bungalow grounds. Cross a stile to a field and go right. At the
field end cross a stile to go ahead over the next field. About half
way across the field cut left at a drainage ditch and follow this
towards the hillside ahead. Rise up the field to go right through
a gate. Follow a good path to climb and then descend to reach
a ruined building right and a gate. Go left over a stile to curve
right in woods and cross a bridge via a stile. Go left by the side
of a brook following a line of marker posts to exit the trees and
pass through a gate. Follow marker posts to go left up the next
field. Cross a stile then a bridge and pass through a couple of
gates to continue up the left side of the next field. Rise through
a gate at the field top and continue up the left field edge beyond.
Stay ahead at a path junction left continuing to cross a stile in hillside. In a short distance take a narrow path left to climb to a
path crossroads and go right. Reach a path junction left by low
buttresses and go left towards the summit of Mynydd Bodafon.
When the path spits below the trig point stay right to climb over
rocks to the summit of Mynydd Bodafon.
Points of interest on this section
on the island of Anglesey
4 Re-trace your steps back down to the path junction below
and go right. Follow your outbound route to the point where
it goes left. Here leave it to stay ahead and follow the path to a
track junction at houses. Take the marked track to the right and
follow it to go ahead over a stile as the track bends left. Walk
through the garden of a house to exit via a gate right. Cut left
down the next field to cross a stile. Follow the marker arrow
across the next field passing through two upright posts to follow
the arrow over the next field passing an old stile and crossing a
bridge. Continue to cross a stile near a bush and follow the arrow
beyond. Pass through gorse and trees to cross a stile at a rock
buttress and follow the arrow down the next field staying near
the right edge to cross a stile. Continue ahead by a fence and at
the next marker post go left to continue past another marker
post. Drop down to re-join the field and go left heading for a
marker post above you. After the marker post descend to pass
through a kissing gate by a gate. Go right down the right side of
a field to pass through a gated stile. Walk down the right side of
a field towards building to go right over a gated stile to an access
lane. Follow this to the main road.
Cross the road to go right. Continue for about five hundred
metres to go left through a kissing gate on a marked path and
follow the left side of a field. Pass through a hedge gap to take
a good path beyond. When this bends left stay ahead to pass
through a kissing gate. Take the path beyond to go right through
a kissing gate and pass around a house. At the field end curve
left through a kissing gate to an access track. Go right and
immediately left through gates. Follow the left field edge to pass
through a kissing gate and follow the path through trees. Pass
kissing gate at the end of farm buildings. Take the path ahead
towards the sea to descend towards the sea. Pass through a
gate into trees and follow the path beyond to go right on a semi-
surfaced path when you reach it. At a track go left to reach a
lane by a car park and go right back to the car park.
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A WORD OF CAUTION
Walking in the outdoors can be a strenuous activity and it is up to you to ensure that you are fit and healthy enough to undertake the route described and to approach the venture with caution and care. You should wear appropriate footwear and suitable clothing, take along food and drink plus carry the relevant map and a compass and be able to use it. The details given here are believed to be correct at the time of going to press. However, neither North Wales Magazine nor the author can accept responsibility for inaccuracies encountered.
