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Holyhead Mountain

Isle of Anglesey Walk

County/Area - Isle of Anglesey

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 4.5 miles / 7.3 km    Ascent - 1100 feet / 333 metres

Time - 3 hours 20 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Holyhead Mountain
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Although relatively short in length this walk combines a superb section of coastal walking and some modest but rough mountain terrain near to Holyhead on Anglesey. The start is the small car park (grid ref. SH211818) located roughly 4 km west of Holyhead town centre.

Exit the car park on the clear path heading southwest towards the cliffs. Reaching the coastal path it is worth the extra effort to turn left and walk down towards Pen-las Rock before retracing your steps and continuing north towards the Seabird Centre - a small whitewashed building. Throughout the year this area is a Mecca for those interested in birds and on the day the walk was researched a rare visit by a Gyr Falcon was the centre of interest for many visiting this headland.

The path continues close to the top of the cliffs to reach South Stack with its dramatically located lighthouse. During the summer months you can visit the lighthouse using the steep steps and bridge to reach the small island on which it is located. Staying on the path closest to the cliffs continue north eastwards with steep cliffs on your left. There are many paths so do be careful and avoid one which drops down to the shoreline with no onward continuation.

The path is easy and you will enjoy the sea birds that seem to congregate in force along this section of coast. Turning north the path descends to North Stack with its small signal station and this makes a pleasant spot to have a break. The next objective is the summit of Holyhead Mountain, the highest point on Anglesey at 220 metres above sea level, and this is easily reached by making a direct approach up the indistinct north ridge. From the summit there are excellent views especially over Holyhead with its harbour and extensive breakwater.

Holyhead Mountain, despite its small stature, actually feels like a mountain and it does offer some good but limited climbing and scrambling. The easiest descent is to head south off the summit to pick up a wide path leading west. This leads back to South Stack from where the coast path offers the best route back to the car park.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1702 Rhoscolyn Headlandeasy5.5 miles
Walk 3040 Church Bay & Mynydd y Garn from Swtaneasy/mod6.0 miles
Walk 3580 Carmel Head & the Skerries from near Cemlyn Bayeasy4.5 miles
Walk 2933 Dinas Gynfor from Cemaes Bay, Angleseyeasy4.0 miles
Walk 3043 Llanddwyn Island from Newborougheasy4.0 miles
Walk 3373 Foryd Bayeasy5.6 miles
Walk 3378 Gyrn Goch, Gyrn Ddu & Bwlch Mawrmod/hard6.5 miles
Walk 3044 The Rivals (Yr Eifl) from Llithfaenmoderate4.5 miles
Walk 3374 Porth y Nant & Nant Gwrtheryn Circulareasy/mod3.5 miles
Walk 1131 Mynydd Mawr & Froneasy/mod4.0 miles

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