Nant Gwrtheyrn Circular Walk
Where the land meets sea, this walk explores one of the most spectacular spots on the Llŷn Peninsula, the beautiful, secluded valley of Nant Gwrtheyrn. Abandoned when the local quarries closed, the village of Nant Gwrtheyrn sits in the shadow of the Yr Eifl mountain range and is steeped in local legend and folklore. The former Victorian quarrying village is now home to the National Welsh Language and Heritage Centre, where if history is your cup of tea you can learn more about the heritage of the area and the quarrymen who populated it in times gone by.
The walk follows in part the Wales Coast Path past the remnants of what was once a port above the beach. The path climbs high above the beach through an area of protected ancient coastal woodland towards Penrhyn Glas Quarry on the opposite headland of the bay before returning through farmland with views of the Yr Eifl mountain range.
Viewpoint - Llŷn Peninsula
1. From the car park, turn LEFT and follow the road towards Nant Gwrtheyrn.
2. Continue along the road down the steep hairpin bends of the valley of Nant Gwrtheyrn and enjoy the sea views and the old workings of Yr Eifl Quarry.
3. At the bottom of the valley follow the road through the grounds of Nant Gwrtheyrn, the National Welsh Language and Heritage Centre.
Nant Gwetheyrn, the National Welsh Language and Heritage Centre located in the former quarry village of Nant Gwrtheyrn.
4. Pass the former quarrymen’s’ cottages on your right and continue straight on past the Caffi Meinir (open in season) towards the coast.
5. Walk through the Nant Gwrtheyrn picnic area then follow the Wales Coast Path signs down the steps to a gate to join the track down towards the beach at Porth y Nant.
6. Nearing the sea, turn LEFT along the grass path and follow the Wales Coast Path signs. You will pass the remains of the old incline that brought granite setts used for paving and construction work down from the quarry to the ships heading to the ports of Liverpool and Birkenhead.
7. Continue along the Wales Coast Path climbing high above the beach.
Viewpoint overlooking the remains of Porth y Nant quarry which include buildings, a tramway incline and jetty.
8. Follow the Wales Coast Path along the coastline. Take your time and enjoy the spectacular views of Porth y Nant.
Wales Coast Path, just sit and enjoy the view of Port y Nant.
The Llŷn Peninsula coastline looking down on Carreg y Llan Quarry at Penrhyn Glas.
9. The path heads inland, at the cottage, Cilliau Isaf take the path to the RIGHT following the Wales Coast Path signs.
10. Continue along the path passing through a small gate into farm fields, follow the stone wall on your RIGHT to a lane.
11. Walk through the kissing gate and turn LEFT walking up the lane past Ciliau Canol.
12. Turn LEFT following the public footpath and the Wales Coast Path circular route sign, approximately 150m past Cillau Canol. Follow the path through the gorse up hill. Halfway up, on the right there is a slate bench – take a break and enjoy the view of the Llŷn Peninsula.
13. Go through the small wooden gate in the stone wall.
14. Follow the Wales Coast Path circular route signs, crossing the farmland with the remains of a stone wall on your left and the peak of Garn Ganol straight ahead.
15. Go through the metal farm gate, and bear LEFT up the hill, then cross the farmland with the peak of Garn Ganol straight ahead.
16. Go through the farm gate in the stone wall and make your way back to the road where the car park and the start point of the walk is.
Distance: Approx. 3¼ miles
Time: Approx. 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (some steep sections)
Parking: Cwm Cynfal Viewpoint Car Park
Postcode for Sat Nav: LL53 6NU (approx.)
what3words:initiates.awkward.panoramic
Grid Ref: SH 353 440
Ordnance Survey Map: OS Explorer 253: Lleyn Peninsula West
Start Point
Yr Eifl Car Park reached by turning north in the centre of the village of Llithfaen on the B4417 Llanaelhaearn to Nefyn road following the Nant Gwrtheyrn tourist sign.
Directions
1. From the car park, turn LEFT and the road until you see a gate and a public footpath sign on the right. Go through the gate and head up hill to join a gravel track.
2. Turn RIGHT, and follow the track up hill to a lake, Llyn Morwynion, and continue around the lake to the dam.
3. Walk along the dam and follow the path to the left, crossing a stream to a small metal gate.
4. Pass the former quarrymen’s’ cottages on your right and continue straight on past the Caffi Meinir (open in season) towards the coast.
5. Walk through the Nant Gwrtheyrn picnic area then follow the Wales Coast Path signs down the steps to a gate to join the track down towards the beach at Porth y Nant.
6. Nearing the sea, turn LEFT along the grass path and follow the Wales Coast Path signs. You will pass the remains of the old incline that brought granite setts used for paving and construction work down from the quarry to the ships heading to the ports of Liverpool and Birkenhead.
7. Continue along the Wales Coast Path climbing high above the beach.
8. Follow the Wales Coast Path along the coastline. Take your time and enjoy the spectacular views of Porth y Nant.
9. The path heads inland, at the cottage, Cilliau Isaf take the path to the RIGHT following the Wales Coast Path signs.
10. Continue along the path passing through a small gate into farm fields, follow the stone wall on your RIGHT to a lane.
11. Walk through the kissing gate and turn LEFT walking up the lane past Ciliau Canol.
12. Turn LEFT following the public footpath and the Wales Coast Path circular route sign, approximately 150m past Cillau Canol. Follow the path through the gorse up hill. Halfway up, on the right there is a slate bench – take a break and enjoy the view of the Llŷn Peninsula.
13. Go through the small wooden gate in the stone wall.
14. Follow the Wales Coast Path circular route signs, crossing the farmland with the remains of a stone wall on your left and the peak of Garn Ganol straight ahead.
15. Go through the metal farm gate, and bear LEFT up the hill, then cross the farmland with the peak of Garn Ganol straight ahead.
16. Go through the farm gate in the stone wall and make your way back to the road where the car park and the start point of the walk is.
Once back in at your campervan put the kettle on and enjoy a well-deserved brew and take in the view of the mountain range of Yr Eifl.
Please note. These directions are for guidance only, we can accept no responsibility for any loss, damage or injury resulting from the use of this information. Always take a map with you and be prepared for the weather to turn. Do not venture out in bad weather and always take care with coastal tides.
