Pwllheli to Cricieth (12 miles)

 


Logistics is simpler now that we are on a railway line again. We took the 11.04 train from Cricieth after a quick coffee at No 46. 

After leaving Pwllheli harbour there's a long slog along a sandy beach, where the walking involved either soft sand or soft small shingle, either of which just pushes away underfoot. The guide book raised our hopes, promising a harder path behind the dunes after Abererch, but this proved very short-lived and were were soon back on the beach, albeit slightly firmer. Signage was poor, and we had to work out carefully where and how to rise off that beach to the point at Penychain. Here there were excellent views looking over to Harlech and the Meirionnydd coast, with just a hint of Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire beyond. We looked around for a bench or somewhere to sit down for our lunch, which took some time: we were past most of the Haven site when we sat down.

After Afon Wen, walking along the cycle path alongside the A497 was a little dull, but an honourable mention here to Evans Caravan who kindly refilled a water bottle for us (it was getting hotter than we expected). Soon we crossed and descended again, joining Afon Dwyfor flowing towards its mouth. 

Cricieth Castle had been in view, on and off, for much of this walk, and soon we were there and past it. We stopped at Cadwaladers for a deserved ice cream.  

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