Walks and trails from Rhosneigr
One of the things that most surprises people who move here or holiday here for the first time is how much walking is on offer. From a ten-minute stroll to a full day on the cliffs, the variety within a few miles of our bay is genuinely remarkable.
Trearddur Bay to Porth Dafarch
The shortest walk on this list but arguably the most beautiful per minute. From the south end of Trearddur Bay beach, a well-maintained coastal path climbs gently along the cliffs southwards, with views across to Holyhead Mountain and the Irish Sea the whole way. At around twenty minutes' walking pace, it's manageable for children and pushchairs (with care), and the views reward every step.
Porth Dafarch itself is a small, sheltered cove popular with kayakers and snorkellers. From here the path continues further south to Porth y Post, another tiny inlet that requires a bit of rock-hopping to access properly. The full Porth Dafarch to Porth y Post section takes about another twenty minutes and feels much more remote than you'd expect this close to the main bay.
Trearddur Bay to Rhoscolyn — the classic coastal path day walk
This is the big one, and for good reason. From Trearddur Bay south along the Anglesey Coastal Path to Rhoscolyn Headland takes two to three hours at a comfortable walking pace, covering some of the most dramatic coastline on the island. The path undulates along cliff tops, dipping down to small coves and back up again, with views that constantly reward the effort.
You pass Porth Dafarch and Porth y Post along the way, and the further south you go the more dramatic the cliffs become. When you reach Rhoscolyn Headland, The White Eagle pub is waiting at the end — which feels like exactly the right kind of reward for a long walk. You can either retrace your steps or take the bus back (check Arriva Cymru for times — it's not frequent, so plan ahead).
The Anglesey Coastal Path runs 125 miles around the entire island, and Trearddur Bay sits on one of its most spectacular sections. If you're here for a week and enjoy walking, you could spend several days exploring different stretches without covering the same ground twice.
South Stack and Holyhead Mountain
About ten minutes' drive from Trearddur Bay, South Stack is one of Anglesey's most dramatic landmarks. The RSPB reserve here is home to thousands of seabirds — puffins, razorbills, guillemots and chough — most visible in spring and summer when they breed on the cliffs. The crossing to Ellin's Tower, the old lighthouse keeper's station now run as a visitor centre, gives you the full cliff-edge experience without needing to do a serious climb.
Above South Stack, Holyhead Mountain rises steeply — the highest point on Anglesey and one of the highest peaks in north Wales. The summit walk is rough in places but straightforward enough in good conditions, and the 360-degree views are exceptional. On a clear day you can see across to Ireland, Snowdonia's peaks to the east, and the full sweep of the Irish Sea. It's the kind of view that makes you understand why people have lived on this island for thousands of years.
Holyhead Mountain is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument, with the remains of prehistoric settlements and Roman fortifications visible on the upper slopes. The history layered into the landscape adds something extra to a walk that would be worth doing for the views alone.
Breakwater Country Park
For something completely different, the Breakwater Country Park on the edge of Holyhead offers easy, flat walking with a strong industrial heritage narrative. The breakwater itself was built in the 19th century to protect the harbour — it's over a mile long and an impressive piece of Victorian engineering even now.
The country park paths are suitable for all ages and abilities, including wheelchairs and pushchairs. There's a visitor centre, a pond, and a stretch of reclaimed industrial land that's been allowed to rewild into meadow and wetland. It's popular with dog walkers and families, and a good option if you want a gentle morning walk that doesn't require any fitness or navigation. The café by the visitor centre does decent coffee and cakes.
Porth Diana Nature Reserve
Right on the northern edge of Trearddur Bay, Porth Diana is managed by the Wildlife Trust of South Wales and offers a short, pleasant loop through wildflower meadows and coastal grassland. The reserve is small — you can walk the full loop in twenty to thirty minutes — but it's a lovely place to spend an hour, particularly in summer when the meadow flowers attract butterflies and bees.
The path leads down to a rocky beach at the cove itself, which isn't suitable for swimming but is excellent for birdwatching and, at low tide, rockpooling. It connects to the coastal path heading north, giving you the option to extend the walk if you want to. One of those places that's easy to walk straight past without noticing, but worth making time for.
Things worth knowing before you set off
The Anglesey Coastal Path is well-signed throughout and there are map boards at regular intervals, but it's worth carrying a map or having a phone GPS to hand for the less obvious paths. Conditions on cliff paths can change quickly in Welsh weather — even in summer — so proper footwear and a layer are always sensible. Dogs are welcome on most walks, though some nature reserves have seasonal restrictions, so it's worth checking before you go.
For beach walks like the one to Porth Dafarch, check the tide times before you go. The path is generally clear at any tide, but the approach to some coves can be cut off at high water. The local tourist information office in Holyhead has tide tables, or there are apps that cover it. Most of the locals check the tide before heading out — it's just part of living here.
If you're doing the longer walks, carry water and something to eat. There are pubs at either end of the Trearddur Bay to Rhoscolyn route, but the section in between has no facilities. For Holyhead Mountain, start early enough to be off the summit before the afternoon wind picks up, which can be strong even when it's calm at sea level.
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