Porthoer to Aberdaron (12 miles circular)

The shape of the coast here means it was fairly straightforward to do a circular walk where nearly all of it was along the Wales Coast Path. So we started at Aberdaron and walked along quiet country roads past Gwythrian to Porthoer. We stopped just above the beach at a convenient picnic table for our coffee break.

We had again chosen a fine weather day, blue skies everywhere, but breezy. It helped that this was blowing us towards the land when we were walking along steep cliffsides, at least while we remained on the north coast. It became a little more sheltered as we turned.


Picnic lunch was at Porth Llanllawen which energised us for the ascent of Mynydd Mawr,  another refreshment break. A very clear view there of Ynys Enlli / Bardsey Island. At this point, Anglesey remained just in view and we could look inland towards peaks of Eryri. The hills continued southwards giving us Meirionydd, and then we could see a far-off coast stretch round the horizon, which must have been Ceredigion, then further on towards Penfro / Pembrokeshire.

This continued as a very up-and-down walk, worst bits still being walking along the sides of steeply sloping drops down to the sea (not advisable for small children). This also made the whole walk a most dramatic and impressive part of the Path - possibly one of the best. We had turned a corner at Mynydd Mawr, but then we turned another corner at Pen y Cil and headed north-eastwards towards Aberdaron. We lost sight of Ynys Enlli.

For the very last stretch, from Porth Simdde, we took the alternative route along the beach, the tide having gone out just enough to enable that. We had a meal at Ty Newydd before leaving.

 

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