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.