Wales Coast Path - 40 Criccieth to Porthmadog

Wales Coast Path

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START POINT: Criccieth Castle

END POINT: High Street, Britannia Bridge, Porthmadog, near Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway

DISTANCE: 10km

TERRAIN: Beaches, Sandy Paths,

GRADIENT: mainly flat, three small climbs

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Train, Bus No 3, T2

CAR PARKING: Criccieth Car Parks, Porthmadog Car Parks, Black Rock Sands Beach Parking, Borth-y-gest car park

We arrived early in Porthmadog, parking next to the main railway station, with half an hour to spare on a Saturday morning before our 8.50 train arrived to take us to Criccieth. We made the short walk to nearby Tesco to grab a coffee before our journey from a machine, only to realise as we got back to the station that there was a cafe on the platform on the opposite side. Our train arrived and we had about a 10 minute trip to Criccieth, we had a walk along Criccieth High Street as we made our way back to Criccieth Castle where we finished in the last walk. Then set off for a shorter than normal walk back to Porthmadog. This was a beautiful walk, cold morning but sunshine. Firstly walking across Criccieth promenade with the waves crashing up against the path. then on to Criccieth beach which was short lived as you soon leave the beach to cross the railway tracks, but you get glorious mountain views walking alongside the railway track. Then back across the tracks a small hill to climb and down onto Black Rock Sands, a long sandy beach walk where you walk across two streams at the far end, we did divert slightly looking for a footbridge but there were non to be found, so we searched for the shalow parts and made our way across. A good test for the walking boots, which appeared to be still waterproof. There was parking on the beach, so watch out for cars. At the far end, you climb up the rocks to get onto the path, this was easy as not as daunting as may have just made that sound. around the headland and some glorious little oases, beaches and little secret coves, passing the golf course on our left side and bay to our right, we spotted Powder House, which used to be used for unloading gunpowder back in the day that was used for the slate mines of North Wales, then passing a beautiful little beach before another climb, not a mountain but a few steps to navigate where you get a stunning view of where you have just walked from the top. I also spotted a small brick square building on the path that does not feature in the video. I have since found this was part of an old limekiln. Then you head to Borth~y~gest where there is a church and pillbox, passing these you head into the picturesque horseshoe shaped harbour with pretty coloured buildings. You leave the bay and head up and then down passing boatyards along Lombard Street into Porthmadog Harbour, a stunning little harbour which you head around to High Street Porthmadog where we finished this section of the walk. We then headed back along the High Street to the railway station where I was parked after exploring the station next to Britannia Bridge for the Ffestiniog and Highland Railway Station. Then along the High Street where we stopped for snacks and drinks.