This route is probably the best walk on Anglesey and certainly our favourite walk of the year so far. It has something for everyone including wildlife, geology, history, and botany. It offers stunning views in all directions, from the turquoise waters to the North to the mountains of Snowdonia to the South.
The walk is approximately 4 miles long; it is an easy to moderate walk, starting off with woodland tracks, soft beach sands then paths made from crushed sea shells on a stunning little island. Please note that it is not really suitable for prams or wheelchairs, and the island is tidal and can only be accessed at low tide. For tide times click here https://www.tideschart.com/United-Kingdom/Wales/Anglesey/Llanddwyn-Island/
The main car park for the beach is at the end of a narrow lane (Church Street) that leads from the cross-roads in the centre of the village Niwbwrch (Newborough), and the postcode LL61 6SG will bring you to the right road. It’s about a mile from the village to the edge of the forest where you will have to pay £5 at the toll booth for access to the car park, and you can only pay with contact less cards. This then allows you to continue driving for another mile or so on the forest road to the beach car park. The beach car park has public toilets (currently Portaloos during the Covid pandemic), and during the summer months an ice cream van can be found in the car park. There are picnic and barbecue facilities with lots of information boards located around this huge site, which is a National Nature Reserve with numerous cycling trails and orienteering courses to keep you entertained. There are several designated parking spaces for blue badge holders. If you have a blue badge, admission to the main car park is free (show your badge at the toll booth).
At the car park, it is advisable to make the most of the toilet facilities before you venture out on your walk as there are no other toilets on this walk.
Our route starts at the trail head near to the car park (where all the signs and information boards are) and our route basically follows the blue trail which takes you North West along the track that runs parallel to the beach. Along this track you will see a huge selection of wild flowers including Blue Mallow, and Red Campion.
Continue on the track and turn left at the track junction heading towards the sea. Just before the beach turn right through the car park and picnic area and take the path through the dunes and pine trees where the path will eventually bring you out onto the beach. At the beach turn right and walk passed the rock formations on the beach. These rocks were formed by lava bubbling out of the seabed millions of years ago, and are some of the oldest rocks on Anglesey.
After the rocks head towards the shelter on the island which is accessible at low tide and has a host of information boards with plenty of information about the wildlife of the island, the geology and the history of St Dwynwen.
Just after the information shelter go through the carved gate to your left, you could also follow the main track along the middle of the island but the smaller paths that follow the coastline are less busy and much more rewarding for the botanist and wildlife enthusiast.
Once through the gate simply follow the path which is made from white crushed shells, there is plenty of wildlife to see on the shorelines and rocks that surround the island including Oystercatchers, Turnstones and the grasses are full of hundreds of different species of wild flowers.
Follow the white path along the left hand side of the island and it will eventually bring you to another wooden carved gate. Once through this gate and there are numerous photo opportunities with the large stone crosses, light houses, pilot houses and church ruins.
There is plenty to explore at this end of the island and its definitely worth making your way down to the beach to check out the various multi coloured rock formations which have been subject to deformation, chemical alteration and metamorphism through subduction.
On the rocky outcrops at the end of the island, you may well see Seals and dozens of Cormorants spreading their wings to dry off, thus making further photographic opportunities.
Once you have explored the various buildings on the island, you can either head back on the main track that runs down the middle of the island, or the better option is to find the footpath on the North side of the island (opposite side to which you walked in on). This route offers some stunning views of the hidden beaches and also possible sightings of the various wildlife that frequents the rocks and shorelines.
Although it is quite easy to get lost in the moment, you still need to keep an eye on the tide, so please make sure that you are back on the mainland before the tide comes in, or you may be forced to spend a few hours in the information shelter on the island. Once back onto the main beach either walk back on the beach towards the car park, or retrace your steps back through the woods, the beach option is pleasant unless there is a strong wind blowing the soft sand in your face. If you take the beach option keep your eye out for the footpath on your left just after the dead tree forest.
Hope you enjoyed the walk, and please feel free to contact us with any updates or suggested variations.
