7-mile (10km) walk with fine coastal and mountain views. Approx 750ft of ascent to Jubilee Path. Good walk anytime of year, especially in July and August, when the heather and gorse are in flower.
Getting to the start. X5 or no. 5 bus from Conwy train station, opposite the Erskine Arms, to Penmaenmawr Library. See Traveline Cymru for timetables.
Part 1, Penmaenmawr Library to Jubilee Path
Walk through the village along Bangor Road, with the Menai Strait on your right.
Just past New York Cottages, a single storey terrace (which used to house Penmaenmawr Museum, now in the Old Post Office in the middle of Penmaenmawr village) turn left up David’s Lane.
Continue uphill as the road bears left.
Stop to admire the rows of terraced quarry workers’ cottages at Erasmus Street, and the granite street setts. Erasmus was the name of the house builder.
Follow the footpath under the quarry conveyor, then turn right.
Steep uphill on Graiglwyd Road.
When the road levels, pause to admire the view.
After about 600 metres, turn right. The road passes Graiglwyd Caravan Park.
Take next turn right, signposted Graiglwyd Springs.
Take path on right through a kissing gate, picture 1,
Picture 1
and skirt round the old reservoir, now a popular fishing lake. Good views over to Anglesey.
Cross stile into field and follow fence on your left.
Pass a farm, keeping it on your left, and cross field to a kissing gate onto Mountain Lane.
Turn right and go up a steep lane for about 600m, until you reach the twin pillars at the start of the Jubilee Path, 800ft above sea level. Picnic table and bench, good spot for a sit-down.
Part 2, Jubilee Path and on to Conwy This route follows (in part) the signposted North Wales Path.
Walk between the pillars and follow the level path clockwise round Foel Lus, with a steep slope on your left, picture 2.
Picture 2
Watch your step and Stop to admire the views. Pass a small cave. Halfway round, turn left onto the signposted zig zag path down to the pretty village of Capelulo, picture 3.
Picture 3
Public toilets on left, then arrive at Sychnant Pass Road near the Fairy Glen pub.
Turn left and onto a footpath opposite the old Austrian Restaurant, now closed (where I once won a yodeling competition!). Pass the playground, which has a statue and information on the life of Saint Ulo, a 6th century local hermit, picture 4.
Picture 4, Saint Ulo on right.
Turn right at end of lane, signposted North Wales Path. Good view back to Foel Lus, picture 5.
Picture 5
Head uphill, passing to the left of a large white house. Clamber up the Sychnant Pass, picture 6, and bear left to join the path onto Conwy Mountain.
Picture 6
Plenty of nice picnic spots here. Follow the North Wales Path signs all the way back to Conwy. Very popular walking here. Leaving the woodland, pass a small parking space on the right, near a walks signpost, picture 7,
Picture 7
and head down into Mountain Road. Turn left into Cadnant Park, road bears right, then cross a narrow bridge over the railway. Turn right and you’re soon back in Conwy.
Compiled by Peter McFadden, updated February 2023.
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