Roam Free with M&G

Open and breezy, Holyhead Mountain promises spectacular walking with dramatic cliff scenery and striking views from Anglesey’s highest point.

The highlight of the walk is the climb to the summit of Holyhead Mountain, which involves some rocky scrambling but rewards you with spectacular 360-degree views. On clear days, you can even see Ireland. The path also leads to the iconic South Stack Lighthouse, adding historical charm to your adventure.

You begin this hike at Breakwater Country Park. Cross the car park and you will find a gap in the wall where you’ll see a wooden signpost. Walk along a gravel path passing a pool on the right. Go through a kissing gate and turn left. In about 50meters bear right through another kissing gate beside a field gate. The path goes ahead through rough grass. As you approach the cliff face the path curves right to a flat bare area overlooking the sea. Continue on to the left up the stone path, from here you just follow this path along the coast and you will soon see a little stone building (Jou’s Chappel by the sea). Continue past and follow the path as it climbs higher up and you will reach a junction with a waymarker, keep right and follow the path along the coast line. You will soon start to see North Stack come into view and, at the junction, continue to follow the path on the right and follow it down to North Stack Lighthouse.

This is a great spot for a little break and if you’re brave enough you can walk down to the end of the rocks for a wonderful view of the cliff and keep a look out for seals, depending on the season. (Can you spot one in the photo below?) North Stack is a Fog Signal Station that is now retired.

If you stopped for a break continue up past the house and turn right up the track until it starts to level out, and you will soon come to a junction. Take the signed coastal path which goes to the right. Your path will be stoned pitched and marked with coastal track signs. Ignore the minor paths. Continue climbing up the stoned path until it levels out, there will be a nice pile of stones at the top if you need to take a breather. Then head down the path, following the waymarkers. Keep going until you come across another junction, if you take the left path that will lead you to the Summit of Holyhead Mountain. If you don’t want to go up the summit then follow the coastal path which will take you over the shoulder of the mountain and towards South Stack.

Soon communication dishes will come into view, keep walking towards them before veering right off the main path onto a narrower path which leads to a tarmac road. Turn left along the road for about 30metres then bear right onto a stoney footpath close to brick buildings. This path bends right, drops, and then rises along a rounded heather ridge with a small pool down to the left. Keep walking and you will soon be in a position overlooking South Stack Lighthouse. South Stack Lighthouse was built by Trinity House in 1809 and is probably one of the most photographed in Wales.

Head half left from here to reach the road directly above the lighthouse. Follow the road for about 100metres or so and turn left up a signed concrete road. At a crossing track take the path ahead and at a fork keep right and follow until you pass the brick buildings we passed earlier. You’ll soon come across another junction, keep left and rise slightly onto the rocky shoulder of the mountain ignoring the path on the right. As Holyhead comes into view the path enters walled enclosures. Where two paths cross keep ahead, and soon there is a wide view of the breakwater. At the junction of access roads turn left and left again at a T junction. At the road end, bear left along a grass path. At a fork turn right soon passing beside a wire-link fence on the left. You will soon come to another T junction and you will need to turn left down steps then left again to return to the car park you started from.

Things to know before you go:

Distance: 10km Duration: 3-4hrs depending on your fitness level. Difficulty: Moderate. Paths are generally good, with one steep scrambling section if you decide to climb the summit. What to bring & wear: Prepare with sturdy hiking boots, make sure you check the weather and make sure there is no storm or heavy rain in the area, winds can get very strong and this hike is best on a clear day. And, as always, bring water, snacks and sun protection.

We’ve completed this hike multiple times in spring, autumn and winter. Hiking during the different seasons brought something new to experience. Springtime was my favourite, as there were an abundance of wild flowers everywhere which gave the coastline a nice splash of colour. Autumn gave us reds and browns in the brush and heather, and winter was cold and very foggy – particularly on the climb up and at the top of Holyhead Mountain.

Let me know what you think of this hike, did you climb up to the summit? Have you ever gone inside South Stack Lighthouse before?