Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path South: Holyhead to Menai Bridge
Stronger walkers will relish this demanding 4 day journey along Anglesey’s contrasting southern coastline which begins with a demanding 23 mile day between Holyhead and Caergeiliog.
Please note the 23 mile distance includes leaving the trail and making your way to Caergeiliog.
Itinerary
| Day | Itinerary | Miles | Km |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Travel to Holyhead for your first nights accommodation | ||
| Day 2 | Holyhead to Caergeiliog | 23 | 37 |
| Day 3 | Caergeiliog to Aberffraw then transfer to Rhosneigr | 14 | 23 |
| Day 4 | Transfer back to Aberffraw, walk to Dwyran then transfer to Menai Bridge | 13 | 21 |
| Day 5 | Transfer back to Dwyran then walk to Menai Bridge | 13 | 21 |
| Day 6 | Depart from Menai Bridge after breakfast |
Prices
| Accommodation, map & guidebook only | £852 |
| with Luggage Transport | £920 |
| with Packed Lunches | £900 |
| with Luggage & Lunches | £964 |
Other Options |
|
| Extra Nights (per night) | £104 |
| Single Supplement (per night) | £85 |
| Solo Luggage Supplement (per day) | £17 |
Holyhead to Four-Mile Bridge
This is among the most dramatic stretches of the entire coastal path, featuring the greatest overall ascent – up to around 600m (2,000ft) if you include Holyhead Mountain. It is also a section of striking contrasts, beginning amid the activity of Holyhead’s busy port before quickly reaching the wild, open cliffs surrounding Holyhead Mountain.
Starting in the centre of Holyhead, the path soon leaves the town behind, heading through the impressive cliff scenery of Gogarth Bay toward Holyhead Mountain and the well-known lighthouse at South Stack. As the route turns south, the towering cliffs gradually reduce in height, giving way to a series of sandy coves as you approach Trearddur, making this a rugged yet spectacularly scenic part of the coastline.
Although the immediate area around Trearddur is quite developed, the walk soon returns to a more natural landscape of indented shoreline, distinctive rock formations, and scattered small coves. The cliffs rise once more to a high point at Rhoscolyn Head, where wide coastal views and a nearby sea arch provide memorable highlights.
Beyond this, the sandy beaches of Borthwen at Rhoscolyn and Silver Bay are followed by a turn inland toward Four-Mile Bridge, with the route continuing along a combination of quiet country lanes, farmland, and stretches of saltmarsh.
Four-Mile Bridge to Dwyran
The section begins with largely level walking around the tidal estuary that separates Holy Island from Anglesey. The roar of aircraft from nearby RAF Valley announces itself long before the airfield comes into view, and accompanies walkers all the way to the popular resort of Rhosneigr.
Beyond Rhosneigr, the coastal path continues along the beaches, with a detour around the headland of Mynydd Mawr, home to a well-known Neolithic burial chamber. The route then swings inland around the Anglesey Racing Circuit before returning to the shore at Porth Cwfan, where a tiny church sits on its own small island. The final miles to Aberffraw are rugged and rocky, offering broad views across to Snowdonia.
The walk out of Aberffraw can start either along a quiet lane through the sand dunes or directly on the beach. The path then skirts the Bodorgan Estate, heading inland along lanes to reach Malltraeth. From there, the scenery shifts dramatically with the plantations of Newborough Forest and the Newborough National Nature Reserve. A spectacular beach walk follows, with the option to explore the island of Ynys Llanddwyn, making this one of the most memorable sections of the coastal path. Throughout, the mountains of Snowdonia and the distant hills of the Llyn Peninsula provide a stunning backdrop to the journey.
Dwyran to Menai Bridge
This final stretch is almost entirely level. Initially the path threads through a mix of low-lying farmland and foreshore. As you approach the Menai Strait, the character of the walk changes: quiet lanes alternate with field paths and occasional stretches along the shore, with fine views back across the Strait to the mainland. The landscape is particularly attractive where the channel narrows and becomes more wooded.
A long but unavoidable detour inland takes you around the grounds of the impressive Plas Newydd, offering the bonus opportunity to visit the restored Neolithic burial chamber at Bryn Celli Ddu. The final couple of miles follow the shoreline once more, passing beneath Anglesey’s two iconic bridges before arriving in Menai Bridge.
The Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path is a varied and highly rewarding long-distance trail that follows the island’s entire shoreline along established coastal paths, field tracks, minor lanes and occasional beach sections. Overall, the route is best described as Moderate, with well-defined paths and generally low-level terrain, although some rugged stretches of cliff-top walking and exposure to strong coastal winds can occasionally make walking feel more demanding.
Some shorter itineraries include longer daily distances in order to complete sections within fewer days, and these individual itineraries may therefore be graded Moderate to challenging to reflect the increased daily mileage rather than any significant increase in technical difficulty. Similarly the longest itineraries are considered Easy to Moderate.
Regardless of the individual itinerary – for your safety, and to gain the greatest enjoyment from your walk, it is important to follow the advice provided in your guidebook and be prepared for changeable coastal weather conditions.
Terrain: A mixture of cliff-top coastal paths, sandy beaches, rocky shoreline, farmland paths, dunes, saltmarsh, quiet country lanes and occasional short urban sections through coastal towns and villages.
What’s it like underfoot? Much of the trail follows well-defined coastal paths and grassy field tracks that are generally straightforward underfoot. Some sections across farmland or low-lying coastal areas can become muddy after prolonged rain, while beach walking may include stretches of sand or shingle. In a few areas, particularly along rocky sections of coastline, the path can be uneven and require more careful footing, although there are no sustained technical difficulties.
How Much Up & Down? Although Anglesey is not mountainous, the coastal nature of the route means there are regular short ascents and descents as the path rises and falls around headlands, coves and cliffs. Some sections, particularly around Holyhead Mountain and parts of the northern coastline, involve more sustained climbing, while other areas such as estuaries, dunes and low-lying farmland are largely level. Overall daily ascent is typically moderate, with occasional more demanding days where the route follows higher cliff lines.
Signposting & Navigation: The Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path is generally well waymarked with dedicated coastal path signage – a circular blue logo featuring a white flying tern, and is often paired with the Wales Coast Path sign – a white shell with a dragon’s tail on a blue background. In most places the route is clear and straightforward to follow, though extra care may be needed where paths cross open farmland, beaches, or low-lying coastal areas where waymarks may be less frequent. As with all long-distance walks, regularly referring to your map and guidebook is recommended.
Weather: Anglesey enjoys a relatively mild maritime climate, but its coastal setting means it is exposed to changing weather conditions throughout the year. Strong winds can make some exposed cliff-top sections feel more challenging, and rain can make grassy paths slippery underfoot. Walkers should be prepared for rapidly changing conditions and ensure they carry suitable clothing, including waterproofs and windproof layers, even during the summer months.
|
All Holidays
|
|
| Accommodation | Overnight Bed and Breakfast accommodation in selected hotels, farmhouses, village inns, guest houses and family B&Bs. Cooked or Continental breakfast. |
| Guidebook | A detailed guidebook with route information, maps, photos and background information. |
| Information of Services Along the Route | A comprehensive Service Info sheet, including services such as cash points, banks, post offices, village shops, inns, cafes and taxis. |
| Maps | Two (1:25,000) Ordnance Survey Explorer maps, including mobile download, covering the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path route. |
| Personal Itinerary | A personal itinerary setting out each overnight stop, including large scale maps of each accommodation, to ensure you find it easily. |
| Emergency Telephone Support | If you get in to difficulties during your holiday, we are always available to help, even out of office hours. |
|
Options
|
|
| Luggage Transport | We will transfer your luggage between each overnight stop – if you leave your luggage at the accommodation when you set off in the morning, it will be moved on to your next B&B. You only need to carry a small day sack with the clothes and provisions you require during the day’s walk. |
| Packed Lunches |
Provided for each day’s walking and recommended on this holiday as there will not always be a handy shop or cafe on the route. |
| Off Road Parking | If you are travelling by car we can usually arrange off road parking for the duration of your trip. (There may be a small charge for this). |
| Arrangement of return transport | We can also arrange your transfer back to your car, (or advise you when public transport is a better option)! |
|
What’s not Included
|
|
| Evening Meals | Your evening meal isn’t included in the package, but we include full details and recommendations for each evening in your itinerary. You will be within walking distance of a pub and/or restaurant each evening. Allow about £30.00 per night. |
| Transport to the Start & Away from the Finish | Have a look at the ‘Travel Info’ tab above for suggestions. If you’re still struggling, get in touch and we’ll help you sort it out. |
| Travel Insurance | Even if you are based in the UK travel insurance is worth having. |
Good accommodation and friendly hosts are an essential part of any holiday. We understand this and go out of our way to find the best. We put a great deal of effort into hand picking our accommodation and matching it to individual customer requirements. As well as visiting the accommodation ourselves, we ask all our customers to complete a short evaluation on each night’s accommodation, which then gives us an insight into the day-to-day operation and lets us spot any potential issues before they become a problem.
We use a variety of accommodation on the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path including family run bed and breakfast, village inns and small characterful country hotels.
We are happy to book single rooms on our holidays but cannot normally book more than two for any one group. Single room bookings include a supplement.
Here are some examples of the accommodation we use on the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path:
Perched above the shoreline with sweeping views across Benllech Beach and Red Wharf Bay, Sea View Guest House offers a wonderfully relaxing coastal stay. Beautifully renovated rooms look out to the sea, while the conservatory lounge, terrace seating, and welcoming honesty bar provide perfect spaces to unwind after a day exploring the Anglesey coast. Visit their website
Stylish, contemporary, and full of character, Tall Trees Hotel in Amlwch offers a refreshingly modern stay on Anglesey’s north coast. Individually designed rooms combine bold décor with thoughtful comforts, while their beautiful restaurant delivers creative, confidently prepared dishes in a relaxed yet refined setting – an inviting base for exploring the island’s rugged coastal landscapes. Visit their website
Set right beside the beach, Trearddur Bay Hotel offers sea views, comfortable rooms, and a wonderfully relaxed coastal atmosphere – with many bedrooms overlooking the bay. Guests can enjoy seasonal dishes in The Bay Restaurant, classic pub favourites in the Inn at the Bay, or a sunny drink in the garden bar – all just steps from the sand. Visit their website
Overlooking the sweeping sands of Rhosneigr, Sandy Mount House blends contemporary beach-house style with a warm, relaxed welcome. Stylish rooms offer calming coastal comfort, while the lively restaurant and bar showcase seasonal Welsh produce, craft drinks, and cosy fireside corners -creating a welcoming seaside hub where guests can settle in and savour the rhythm of village life. Visit their website
General travel information for the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path will be in your holiday pack.
Detailed instructions on getting to your first night’s accommodation by car, or on foot from the nearest train or bus station, will also be included in the holiday pack on individual accommodation maps.
To view train times please visit trainline where you can also purchase tickets in advance. For information on bus timetables please visit traveline
Getting to Holyhead:
By Air: The nearest International Airports are Manchester and Liverpool, offering a wide range of UK and European connections. For transatlantic travellers, Dublin Airport is also a popular gateway, with numerous direct long-haul flights and a convenient ferry crossing to Holyhead.
By Public Transport: Holyhead Railway Station lies on the main North Wales line, with direct services to Chester and London Euston, and regular connections eastwards along the coast. The station is located beside the ferry terminal and just a short walk from the town centre.
By Road: Holyhead is easily accessed via the A55 North Wales Expressway, which runs the length of North Wales from Chester directly to the ferry port. The town is well signed from all major approaches.
Returning from Menai Bridge:
By Public Transport: The nearest railway station to Menai Bridge is Bangor. Bangor Railway Station lies on the main North Wales line, with direct services from Holyhead, Llandudno Junction, Chester, and London Euston. Buses run regularly from Menai Bridge to Bangor.
By Road: Menai Bridge is easily accessed via the A55 North Wales Expressway. From the east, follow signs from Chester, leaving the A55 at Junction 8A and crossing the Menai Suspension Bridge into the town. From the west, the A55 provides a fast link across Anglesey from Holyhead ferry port.
Holyhead
Holyhead is a lively harbour town with a rich maritime heritage and plenty to explore away from the trail. You can discover the maritime museum at Newry Beach, housed in Wales’ oldest lifeboat station, or stroll around the busy harbour where Irish Sea ferries and fishing boats create a constant buzz of activity. In the heart of the town centre, you can visit the ancient Roman fort remains of Caer Gybi, which enclose St Cybi’s Church and hint at the area’s long strategic importance. With a good choice of cafés, pubs and restaurants, Holyhead is an ideal place to enjoy a relaxed day by the sea while discovering a more historic and industrious side of Anglesey’s coastline.
Menai Bridge
Menai Bridge is a charming waterfront town set along the shores of the Menai Strait, where sweeping views across to Snowdonia create a memorable backdrop. Named after Thomas Telford’s elegant suspension bridge, the town blends maritime heritage with a relaxed modern atmosphere. Spend time strolling along the waterfront, watching boats pass through the tidal waters, or enjoying the independent cafés, pubs and restaurants that make the town such a welcoming place to linger. With galleries, small local shops and plenty of scenic spots to sit and take in the views, Menai Bridge offers a fitting and enjoyable finale for your coastal adventure.
