|
Aberffraw Newborough, San Dunes, Meadows, Woodlands and Llanddwyn Island
Walking the Aberffraw Newborough section of the Anglesey Coastal Path gives you the chance to enjoy both sandy beach and dune stretches as well as woodland and meadow settings.
Leaving the historic village of Aberffraw by crossing the small stone bridge over the River Ffraw, we passed the car park and headed for the sand dunes along the estuary. At the car park a blackbird was perched on the wall partly camouflaged by wild flowers, and as we advanced it moved along the wall eventually landing on the coastal path sign and facing the sea.
This photo provided by Paul Mattock, PM Photography
On our right was the village of Aberffraw and we saw the path we had used when completing the previous Cymyran Aberffraw leg.
As you walk along this sandy expanse, a few small boats lay at anchor in the estuary, with others aground waiting for the flood tide to refloat them.
We turned left at the mouth of the estuary onto an remarkably wide and long sandy beach with high sand dunes, with the occasional orange lifebelt standing out in a swaying sea of green marram grass coverage.
To the right, a beautiful view as waves come crashing in over the expanse of sand and amazingly so few people visit this beach whenever we have walked this section.
Whether winter or summer, it is well worth coming here to experience the freedom of the open spaces.
At the eastern end of the beach turn left into the dunes and follow the path inland, with a fence on your right side.
When you reach the lane, take the path on the other side and pass two large outbuildings, and then through a gate until you reach a kissing gate near a small chapel.
Follow the signs and you will approach a second woodland, cross a small bridge and past on old derelict house , after which you veer right and eventually you will see a windmill and a white house.
Look for a stile ahead, after which you continue in the direction of the main A4080 road and cross a second stile onto the pavement just outside the village of Llangadwaladr.
We walked from opposite St Cadwaladr’s church along the A4080 and through Hermon until we reached a crossroads outside the village with a lovely view of the Snowdon mountain range on the mainland.
The main A4080 road turns sharp left here, but you need to walk straight across and down a small lane for the leg to Malltraeth.
About 100 metres from the end of the lane turn left onto a small gravel surfaced road and then after about another 120 metres turn right onto a footpath and look for the special Anglesey Coastal Path signs as you head for the Malltraeth estuary.
Eventually, you get to a grassy footpath behind some rear gardens and it emerges next to the Royal Oak pub.
Go through the kissing gate and carry on down the main street, passing the Fish and Chips shop on your right, until you reach the bridge.
Move onto the south (right) side of the crossing and look out for the special coastal path signposts.
It was here that famous wildlife artist Charles Tunnicliffe produced many of his sketches, now shown in Oriel Art Gallery, Llangefni. To the south is the wide expanse of the estuary and the open sea, while ahead you see the heavy tree coverage of Newborough Forest stretching to the sea.
Continuing this Aberffraw Newborough section you reach the edge of the forest and continue into the car park.
Look for signs directing you to a path parallel with the main A4080 road for about a further 230 metres, passing a bus stop.
Turn right into the deep forest and walk past a yellow and black stripped barrier, as you enter the last leg of the Aberffraw Newborough section.
After about a mile into the forest you can either continue straight along the forest path or turn right to go along the boundary of the woodlands and onto the beach.
With this second option you will eventually turn left along the beginning of the wide, sandy Llanddwyn beach, with the small island and white lighthouse in the distance on the right.
Continue east along the beach with magical views of Snowdon and the Lleyn peninsula ahead of you.
At the forest edge you will see Newborough Warren, a National Nature Reserve, ahead of you, and here you need to turn left and north east along the well marked footpath all the way to the car park at Llyn Rhos Ddu. You can now give yourself a big pat on the back as you have completed the 13 mile (21 km) long Aberffraw Newborough leg of the Anglesey Coastal Path.
|
Now you enter a fascinating woodland copse and can enjoy the tranquillity after the sound of the sea near the sand dunes.
See the brown sign for the church of St Cadwaladr, which is on the opposite side of the road, about 30 metres along a small gravel track. 
There is a pleasant walk across the causeway with views of the Malltraeth marshes and some interesting birds either side of the “cob”.
