A walk around Penmaenmawr Quarry (around six miles)
This walk came about almost by accident - we had planned to follow one of the
routes in the book 'From Mountain Tops to Valley Floors' authored by Dave
Salter and Dave Worrall; but decided instead on trying to shorten it. However,
at the top we realised that there was no obvious footpath through the quarry
and so in the end had to detour around Penmaenmawr head itself and descend into
Llanfairfechan.
The route starts at Penmaenmawr High Street (OS ref 717764) from where you
follow the road upward, swinging around to the left and circling Pen y Coed.
Turn up the lane to Graiglwyd Farm and kennels (719757) and continue up
the well marked path (with convenient benches) up to the bwlch (721748) where
the path joins onto the North Wales Path.
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The start of the walk - just past Craiglwyd with the Orme in the background
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Looking up to the bwlch
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Looking down from the bwlch to Penmaenmawr and the Orme
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From here continue west along the North Wales path, stopping en route to admire
the stone circles
(Matthew found a packet of biscuits "left" by the druids by this one)
until (718747) where you divert north of the main path and continue
north or south of Clip y Orsedd to a gate at (703747).
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Meeting the North Wales Path, looking west
towards Moelfre
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Finding the biscuits at one of the
druid's stone circles!
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Looking past the quarry towards
Ynys Mon (Anglesey)
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Now begins the descent towards Llanfairfechan with views to the south of
Foel Fras, Drum
and the falling ridge towards Aber and the sea. Follow the track to (698749)
then continue west through the fields to (695750) and then follow the narrow
green lane, which eventually doubles back to descend to the buildings at
(692749). Go through the red gate and aim downhill to
a row of three cottages
as depicted below.
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The quarry top, with the Orme in the background
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Drum, with Foel Fras, in snow, behind
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Coming down towards the three cottages
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Once through the gate, turn right and go past the cottages then through a
well-hidden gate (and not into the garden!) which takes you to Henar farm.
Here there is a stile/gate which takes you uphill of the farm and into
the woods
, which eventually lead into the back of Llanfairfechen. As you exit the woods
turn left into the estate, by the play park and follow the roads down to
the footbridge
which spans the A55.
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Looking back up towards the quarry
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The new footpath behind Llanfairfechan, coming from Henar Farm
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Crossing the A55, looking at Llanfairfechan beach
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From here it's a bot of a trudge along the pavement bounding the eastbound
carriageway, but there are some spectacular views to your left and a chance to
actually 'read' the plaque in the second tunnel which commemorates their
opening! I suppose it is possible to cross the carriageway and use the
cycle/horse drawn carriage track which goes 'over the top' but ask your parents
before you try this. Once back at the Penmaenmawr side of the hill cross with
care and stroll back along Rhes Crimea/Crimea Terrace to your start point.
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The second of Stevenson's tunnels, taking the A55 eastbound through Penmaenmawr
mountain
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