Morfa Nefyn - Headland - Porth Dinllaen - Morfa Nefyn

Roy Davenport

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In an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Porth Dinllaen is one of the few settlements in the UK without a tarmac road. Vehicular access is via a track across the golf course. Prior to the track, access was by sea.

At one time Porth Dinllaen was considered as a major ferry port for Ireland. In 1648 for a short period, The Postmaster General decreed that the Irish mail travelled this route rather than via Holyhead. In 1806 a Porth Dinllaen Harbour Company was formed with £12,000 and powers to build piers and other work essential to form a harbour. In 1808 a Parliamentary Bill was introduced to make this the Packet Port for Ireland, replacing Holyhead, but after a second reading Holyhead won on a majority. In 1884 a report to Parliament states that Porth Dinllaen 'might be made an admirable asylum harbour for vessels, which cannot in north and north-west gales clear Holyhead'. In 1884 a Porth Dinllaen Railway Company was formed and given five years to build the 9¼ miles of track to link with Pwllheli. Nothing happened and the hamlet's hopes of becoming an important harbour were finally crushed.

The Coastguard Station covers a long stretch between Caemarvon and Barmouth. The lookout post commands sweeping views of Caernarvon Bay. During the 19th Century, more than 500 ships were wrecked between Anglesey and Portmadoc. Between 1844 and 1858 as many as 87 ships were wrecked near Porth Dinllaen. The Lifeboat Station, reached by a path leading down from the cliff edge, was established in 1864 and made its first rescue in 1866, when it took off the crew of a Barmouth smack.

Faint traces of earthwork which extend across the peninsula at its narrowest point are evidence that the headland was used as a stronghold about 2,000 years ago. Around the cliffs will be seen gulls, cormorants, shags, puffins, oystercatchers and redshanks. This is also one of the rare places where choughs breed, similar to crows in appearance, but with scarlet legs and long scarlet bills.

Wales - North Wales - Gwynedd - Llyn Peninsula

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Flowers, Food Shop, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Mostly Flat, National Trust, Pub, Public Transport, Sea, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife
7/1/2021 - Dennis Johnson

Beautiful walk with some stunning views. Car park at point 1 can get pretty busy so if full go up the road to the golf club where they have a car park to the side of the clubhouse (for the same cost ) Pub on the beach at point 11.. Ty Coch Inn doesn't open until 12.00

10/4/2015 - Carl Thompson

On picture 3, with reference to the caravan park. You need to walk into the area where the caravans are parked, so they will be to your left and right. Walk in the 2 O'Clock direction to a metal gate which may be obscured by one of the caravans.

5/26/2015 - Jeff Wood

I completed this walk a couple of days ago and am pleased to say there was no sign of the reported electric fence after waypoint 5 and the mud/slurry had dried up meaning it was easy to follow this route which was very enjoyable.

3/5/2015 - Jayne McGrory

We did this walk on Sat 28th Feb 2015, and I would have to report the following: Just after waymark 5 the farmer has seen fit to erect an electric fence the full width of the field, which is now basically a slurry pit and completely impassible! We therefor had to backtrack to waymark 4 and continue up the track directly to waymark 7. Other than that this is a beautiful walk, and the Ty Coch Inn is an absolutely stunning setting to sit and have a beer at the waters edge

6/10/2014 - John Dann

My wife and I have done this walk several times and have noticed a few changes on this latest occasion (8/6/2014). To begin with Waymark 4 has changed. There is no longer a ladder stile across the wall on the left; instead a gap has been cut in the wall leading to a steel gate. Also Waymark 6 is probably even more confusing than in the past. We didn't notice any signs and the path up the cliff to the stile should be treated with care. The whole area approaching Waymark 7 was being drastically redesigned when we walked there this time. It will obviously be clear eventually and as long as you keep to the cliff edge there shouldn't be a problem. But be warned that we had to weave our way between teams of turf layers and heavy machinery. Despite all that, it's still a gorgeous walk.

5/26/2010 - Adrian Perkins

Roy Davenport reports that he has checked this walk and all is OK. Many thanks for this Roy. May 2010. Adrian (Admin)