30 walks/40 pages
The Llyn peninsula, with a line of volcanic hills forming its backbone, extends westwards from Snowdonia to the sheer cliffs of Mynydd Mawr at its tip overlooking Bardsey Island (Ynys Enlli), a famous place of pilgrimage. Its stunning varied Heritage Coast falls within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, some owned by the National Trust. A predominantly Welsh speaking area, Llyn has welcomed generations of visitors.
Its rugged cliffs, rocky headlands, sheltered estuaries and coves, dunes, and sandy beaches provide numerous habitats for wildlife. Inland are hedged fields, small hills, narrow lanes, and small traditional family farms. Former fishing villages such as Abersoch, Aberdaron and Nefyn that have produced generations of seafarers, are now popular tourist destinations, with the south coast attracting sailing and watersport enthusiasts. Running around the length of the peninsula is the waymarked Wales Coast Path, which opened in 2012, giving access to the breathtaking coastline.
Occupied since pre-historic times, the isolation of Llyn attracted early Christians, whose Celtic Church survived until the 13thC. The beautiful landscape offers great historical interest, including one of Britain's most spectacular Iron Age hillforts and small churches on the ancient Pilgrim coastal routes to Bardsey.
Llyn's unique landscape is best explored on foot to appreciate its beautiful scenery, wildlife and history. The 30 walks in this revised and updated second edition of this book cover the spectacular coast, incorporating the best sections of the Wales Coast Path, as well as the peninsula's low and high hills, offering panoramic views.
The routes, which range from an easy 2¼ mile cliff-top walk to a challenging 9 mile exploration of hills and moorland, follow public rights of way or permissive paths and visit designated Open Access land. Most routes, as well as containing shorter walk options, can easily be linked with others, to provide longer day walks, if required.