The Llŷn Coastal Path () is a waymarked long-distance footpath running along the coast of the Llŷn Peninsula from Caernarfon to Porthmadog in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. A large part of the Llŷn Peninsula is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.Gwynedd County Council - Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Devised and implemented by Gwynedd County Council and the Countryside Council for Wales, the path opened in 2006, though it has since been changed and improved. This work is continuing as part of the path's integration into the Wales Coast Path, an long-distance walking route around the whole coast of Wales from Chepstow to Queensferry.BBC News Wales - All-Wales coast path nears completion Retrieved 2 January 2012
Description The route passes through hidden coves and beaches, along cliff-top paths, through small harbours and towns such as Caernarfon and Porthmadog, detours slightly inland where it rises to as much as and covers the coast of both north and south Llŷn. Snowdonia, Wales’ biggest National Park, lies to the east and the Irish Sea to the west. The weather in these parts can be unpredictable.
The Coastal Path is partly based on an ancient pilgrimage route to Bardsey Island, now a National Nature Reserve.
Wildlife is abundant in this area, and bottle-nosed dolphins and Atlantic grey seals can often be seen in the coastal waters. In the dunes there are stonechats, goldfinches, and sand martins. Migratory birds pass this way too, so autumn brings the arrival of redwings, chaffinches, starlings and skylarks. The rare chough breeds in small numbers. "Five per cent of the UK's population of the chough, a small crow with a curved red bill, is found on Llyn."
The route The route can be split into seven main sections,Gwynedd County Council - Llŷn Coastal Path though the official guidebook divides it into nine. Caernarfon–Trefor Caernarfon–Llanfaglan Llanfaglan–Groeslon Groeslon–Aberdesach Aberdesach–Trefor Trefor–Morfa Nefyn Trefor–Penrhyn Glas Penrhyn Glas–Porth Dinllaen Morfa Nefyn–Llangwnnadl Porth Dinllaen–Porth Ysgaden Porth Ysgaden–Porth Widlin Llangwnnadl–Aberdaron Porth Widlin–Porth Orion Porth Orion–Aberdaron Aberdaron–Abersoch Aberdaron–Plas yn Rhiw Plas yn Rhiw–Porth Neigwl Porth Neigwl–Machroes Machroes–Llanbedrog Beach Abersoch–Pwllheli Llanbedrog Beach–Pwllheli Pwllheli–Criccieth–Porthmadog Pwllheli–Pen-ychain Pen-ychain–Criccieth Criccieth–Porthmadog
See also North Wales Path Anglesey Coastal Path Ceredigion Coast Path
References
External links Gwynedd Council information of The Llŷn Coastal Path Photos of the Llyn Coastal Path on geograph.org.uk Map