Mynydd Llwydiarth / Pentraeth Forest (3.72km)

 

This walk is a family favourite. It’s quite a short one for us but a lovely way to spend an hour with stunning views of Eryri (Snowdonia), a derelict cottage and beautiful woodland. There are plenty of options to add loops if you fancy a longer walk. 

Mynydd Llwydiarth is located near Traeth Coch (Red Wharf Bay) on the East Coast of Ynys Môn. Mynydd means “mountain” but at only 153.3m high Mynydd Llwydiarth is really just a hill! Pentraeth forest was planted on the mynydd in the 1950’s and was, until recent re-introduction, the last refuge for Anglesey’s red squirrels. 

Distance: 3.72km

Time taken: 1 hour 15mins

Total ascent: 148.43m

Parking: space for 4 cars if parked sensibly

Facilities: None. No toilets and no bins. Please take rubbish / dog poo home with you. 

1. For parking you need to turn by the Panton Arms pub in the village of Pentraeth onto the B5109 towards Beaumaris. The parking is on the left after leaving the village. There are two options for parking, both very limited. On this occasion I parked at the second option which normally has space for 4 carefully parked cars. The first option has space for 2 cars. Please make sure you don’t block the gates into the forest as they are in constant use. 

2. After walking up the forestry track for a short distance you will see an unsigned path on your right. This path takes you on the edge of the forest for a short distance, with fields to be seen on your right. A prehistoric hill fort is above you on your left but can’t be seen or accessed on this walk. “A later Prehistoric type stone walled fort has been identified on a rocky spur at the southern end of Mynydd Llwydiarth. Fragments of drystone walling, about 2.0m wide, have been noted running along the edges of natural terraces and slopes, and these would enclose an area about 110m east-west by 50m. A deeply inturned entrance has been identified at the eastern end where traces of stone founded roundhouses have also been observed. The area is now afforested and the fort enclosure cannot be confirmed." (Source: Coflein)

 You’ll walk through an area which is often used for den building - great fun for the kids! 

3. After descending a short way the path splits. Take the left route (you will come back from the right which opens onto a one track lane). The path gets pretty steep at this point. There was a little bit of whinging from the 4 year old but it’s perfectly manageable even for little legs! We found an enormous frog so that distracted us for a little while. 

After the path evens out there is a derelict cottage to be seen on your right. There isn’t much left to explore but it’s a sweet little step into the past. Look out for the metal tub in the tree. 

Not far after the cottage you can cut your walk short by taking the path to the right which heads down onto the previously mentioned lane. We went left though. It opens up a bit here and the views over Eryri are spectacular, particularly with the snow on the mountains. The pictures really don’t do it justice. 

4. The path splits again here. You could turn left and add a loop on very easily but we went right. It was a really cold day today so the path was very icy. Not too much mud though which was good. 

5. At this point you get to a crossroads. If you pass straight over the forestry road you can head over in the direction of Traeth Coch, but there are some very steep downhill sections so I prefer to do that walk the other way. If you turn left onto the forestry road you will have an easy meander back to the car. We go right, down the hill today. It isn’t steep at all but can get a little muddy in places. 

6. At this point we drop down to the right into the “deep dark woods”. I find this part of the walk both beautiful and strangely unsettling for some reason! A short while after dropping down you make a sharp right, almost back on yourself. 

7. We come to our only stile here which is a bit of a faff if you’re carrying a small person or have a dog  but if you take your time it’s perfectly manageable.

 Once over the style you find yourself in a field with horses. They have never bothered with us in all the times we’ve walked this route but do be aware, especially as the path passes through a narrow section of the field. I’m experienced with horses but I wouldn’t be comfortable being trapped in such a narrow space with horses I don’t know. Another point to make here is to please NOT feed horses you don’t know. It could kill them. It’s not a long section through here before you get to a gate which opens onto the single track lane mentioned before. Once again, there are lovely open views out over Eryri.  Follow the lane down the hill. 

8. If you want, you can continue to follow the lane to the end then turn right onto the B5109, which will take you back to either car park. However, the B5109 is a busy 60 mph road with no pavement so I avoid it at all costs! We prefer to cut back through the forest. As you come down the lane there is a sharp bend to left and just after this point there is a gap in the wall. 

Clamber in here and after a few steps take the left fork. This is where you join back to your original path. Follow it back up the hill, past the dens and onto the main forestry road. Turn left at the road and you’ll soon be back at the start. 

https://www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en/things-to-do/activities/landscape-red-wharf-bay-to-pentraeth-forest/#.YCZ-voHfWf0