This is a guide to the coastal walks in Anglesey, the island lying across the Menai Straits in north-west Wales. The author guides you around the island in smallish stages and describes the distinctive character of its geology, geography and history: the east coast with its long beaches and estuaries and the Penmon peninsula; the west with its varied coastline and Holyhead Island; the north with its spectacular cliffs and coves comparable with those of west Cornwall. Interesting land features and fascinating stories of the people of this proud Welsh isle are highlights of the guide. Most of the walks are only a few miles long across undemanding terrain and make an easy day's outing. Several can be joined together for a longer day, or long-distance walkers can link them all together for a grand tour of the island.
INTRODUCTION THE NORTH COAST Point Lynas to Amlwch Port Parys Mountain (Mynydd Trysglwyn) Amlwch to Bull Bay (Porth Llechog) Bull Bay (Porth Llechog) to Porth Wen Porth Wen to Cemaes Cemaes to Cemlyn Cemlyn to Hen Borth Hen Borth to Carmel Head THE WEST COAST Carmel Head to Porth Swtan Porth Swtan to the Stanley Embankment Stanley Embankment to Four Mile Bridge (Pont Rhyd y Bont) Four Mile Bridge to Rhosneigr Rhosneigr to Porth Trecastell Porth Trecastell to Porth Cwyfan Porth Cwyfan to Aberffraw Aberffraw to Malltraeth Malltraeth Malltraeth to Abermenai Point Newborough Holy Island; Ynys Gybi Stanley Embankment to Holyhead (Caer Gybi) Holyhead to Holyhead Mountain and South Stack South Stack to Trearddur Bay Treaddur Bay to Rhoscolyn Walks near Rhoscolyn Rhoscolyn and Four Mile Bridge THE SOUTH COAST Newborough to the Mermaid Inn Mermaid Inn to Moel- y- don Moel- y- don to Beaumaris Beaumaris to Penmon Penmon THE EAST COAST Penmon to Llanddona Beach Llanddona Beach to Red Wharf Bay Red Wharf Bay to Moelfre Moelfre to Lligwy Lligwy to Dulas Dulas to Point Lynas "The book, with its clear maps and tips of Welsh pronunciation, slips readily into a pocket." MC TGO, Nov 1998
'Aficionados of coastal walking will revel in Anglesey's diversity. Being basically square, the island effectively offers four coastlines, each with its own distinctive scenery and walking characteristics. While a round-Anglesey coastal trek is indeed possible, there are rather too many irritating obstructions (caravan sites, private land, tidal problems etc), as well as discontinuous rights-of-way, to endear it to long-distance walkers. Instead, Cecil Davies divides the coastline into a series of 'there and back' or circular itineraries, most of which are well within the range of active walkers; for greater challenge simply add two or more together. This format suits the area extremely well. Anglesey contains far more scenic, historical and ecological wonders than the majority of visitors to North Wales fully appreciate, though naturally exploration requires an entirely different mind-set from peak-bagging in Snowdonia. Something of a Welsh romantic himself and steeped in Anglesey's history and culture, Cecil Davies clearly knows the island like the back of his hand. The complexities of route finding (and believe me there are complexities!) are erased by the thoroughness of his research and there's a wealth of fascinating background to feed the imagination. The book, with its clear maps and tips of Welsh pronunciation, slips readily into a pocket. It's hard to fault but I'd have liked some indication of walk distances (miles or kilometres are conspicuous by their absence throughout the text!) to help plan outings.' (Martin Collins, TGO November 98)