PEN LLYN - JUNE 2023 Ty’n Rhyd to Aberdaron

Thursday 29th June

Glorious weather - sunny and warm, but with enough breeze to make it pleasant.

Just after 10.00 we decided to walk along the coastal path into Aberdaron - for coffee. We took the public footpath to the right a short distance before Ysgo. We unintentionally detoured slightly from the path but managed to access Llwybr Arfordir Cymru along the cliffs and into Aberdaron.

Looking southwest towards Aberdaron

View of Mynydd Rhiw, fort, and Mynydd Penarfynydd 

Brilliant views, though some of the terrain was a bit rough and overgrown with lush bracken.  

We arrived soon after midday and ordered a decent coffee in Y Gegin Fawr cafe. A lovely place in the sunshine. It felt almost mediterranean with its flowers and whitewashed walls.

Then we dawdled around gazing at the beach before having lunch of quiche and salad in Becws Islyn. Pity about the ‘compostable’ plates and cutlery, since the food was excellent.

Melin Daron

Penny wort on the roof

Afon Daron

We returned via the coastal path route along the Afon Daron, and up to Morfa, then continuing along the coastal path as far as the smaller path by the stream up to Cadlan Isaf, which joins join the minor road from Ysgo.

Since both phones ran out of charge, we estimate the distance to be about 9 miles, maybe a little more. 760 feet(ish) of ups and downs. Quite strenuous walking and the uneven conditions underfoot meant that we had to concentrate! My legs knew they had walked.

First five miles or so…

Not so much walking, more a sketch, a swim and a sunset

 Friday 8th July

Aberdaron, Porthor and return via Wales Coast Path

 Thursday 7th July 2022

The morning started grey, but dry and a bit windy.

We decided to do the headland walk from Porth Oer (Whistling Sands)

We parked in Aberdaron and began the walk by a couple of miles along the quiet roads, uphill out of the village, and north to Porth Oer..

The beach there is lovely, the sand certainly squeaks as you walk, and the cafe/shop serves an excellent coffee cake.

From there we picked up the Wales Coast Path, which we followed (more or less) round the headland, leaving Carreg to our right, skirting Mynydd Anelog, following the coast with many downs and ups along the way, eventually climbing to Mynydd Mawr, where we stopped for lunch, perched uncomfortably on rocks, and looking across to Bardsey Island. It was still quite windy.

Shortly afterwards we walked on and found a bench to sit on for a while in greater comfort.

The walk was quite strenuous, so when we reached the high point of Pen-y-Cil we stopped to eat our apples.

From here on we saw more people walking.

The final stretch into Aberdaron was hard work - down to sea level using some very steep steps, at Porth Meudwy, where the boats go to Bardsey Island,

then climb back up an equally steep set of steps. A repeat performance at Porth Simdde, before emerging on to the road above the car park.

We felt we had earned an ice cream, and luckily Y Gegin Fach (The Little Kitchen) was still open.

11.2 miles and around 1900 feet of climbing and descent.

Wales Coast Path ,Ty’n Rhyd , Ysgo , Aberdaron

 Tuesday 5th July 2022

An after-lunch decision to tackle the coastal path into Aberdaron.

We took the usual minor road route towards Porth Ysgo, but turned right instead of continuing to the cove.  

The route proved quite tricky at first, not too clearly marked. There was a fine drizzle and in parts the path was rather overgrown with (wet today) ferns in places. Views were pretty good.

Much pleasanter as we approached Aberdaron, though waymarking towards the road was not good.

An unexpectedly delightful section took us down beside the Afon Daron and into Aberdaron itself.

We had a very welcome ice-cream followed by coffee to celebrate almost 5 miles of walking.

  We walked back along the road. This was just over two miles, much of it uphill, but generally quiet.

 Almost 500 feet of ascent and descent, and 7 miles in total.