Bangor to Caernarfon Wales Coast Path | A UK Trail Running Microadventure

The Wales Adventure continues..

Last time we got as far as Upper Bangor and so this time for ease of transport links I’m starting from city centre Bangor near the train station and run up the A5 Holyhead Road to pick up where we left off last time at Bangor City Football Ground.

Wow, another stunning section of the Wales Coast Path today we pass the Menai Suspension Bridge built in 1826 by Thomas Telford and on through Treborth Botanic Garden down to the Menai Strait and under the Britannia Bridge. We pass through Glan Faenol Woodland Walk which gives us fantastic views of Plas Newydd and through to the seafront and marina at Y Felinheli (previously known as Port Dinorwic). We then pick up a disused railway line that used to connect Bangor and Caernarfon before its closer in 1972.

Arriving in Caernarfon we pause for an all day breakfast and coffee at Morrisons before heading into the royal town which is a real treat, highly recommend a visit. Our route takes us through the 13th century walled town and on to the imposing 11th century Caernarfon Castle which was constructed on the orders of William the Conqueror as part of the unsuccessful Norman invasion of Wales, its a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s well worth pausing here.

From here we cross the bridge and continue down a single track road with views onward towards the Llyn Peninsula and left up to Snowdonia. The Walled Town, Castle and this last section were my favourite part of the route its just stunning around there. The route takes us away from the coast and at this point I turned away from the route in search of a bus back to Caernarfon and on to Bangor.

The Route

Starting from Castle Hill Car Park in Bangor, head down to Sackville Road and turn left, at the roundabout go left past ASDA and continue up the A5 road to Bangor train Station. Turn right up the A5 Holyhead Road and follow the road up the hill and around to the left with the Menai Straits on your right. Follow the road to Bangor City Football Club where we finished last time then continue straight on past the university to the Menai Suspension Bridge. Cross the road at the bridge and continue straight on into Treborth Botanic Garden. When you reach a parking place we take the path on our right which dips down closer to the Menai and under The Britannia Bridge. Beyond the bridge continue straight on until you reach Plan Faenol, go through the gate and follow the path to the right beside the Menai. Eventually you reach some woods. Take the path into the woods and then take the right hand turn. Follow the path which eventually comes out at a private housing estate at Y Felinheli (Port Dinorwic). Head up the road and straight on down the path to the port / marina. Cross over at the bridge at the marina and turn right. At a bend in the road take the path straight on which comes out on the bend by the Garddfon Inn. Turn right and follow the road along the front at beach road, you pass a boat yard and the path bend around to the left and up a hill. Head up the hill and then take the second path on the right, this is the disused railway and runs us pretty much straight all the way into Caernarfon. At one point the path emerges onto the side of the road, continue down the road to the roundabout, take the second exit, the footpath again veers away from the road back onto the rail trail. At Caernarfon just before the flats take the path left and across the car park up to Morrisons for a well earned break at the coffee shop.

From the front of Morrisons turn right and around the right of the building to the roundabout. Turn right into Balaclava road then left cutting across the car park. At the far end of the car park take the path which comes out on Balaclava road again then continue straight on into the Walled town. Follow the road straight on through the town to Caernarfon Castle, loop left around the castle to the harbour and then turn left across the footbridge. Turn right and follow the Aber Foreshore road along the front and then finally inland. At the end of the road we part ways with the coast path and go in search of a bus. I turned left and through Llanfaglan and then right through to Bontnewydd to catch a bus though in hindsight it would have probably have been easier to just follow the road straight on through Llanfaglan and joined the rail trail which brings you back into Caernarfon. The trail brings you out near the castle, follow the road up to Castle Square then straight over for Y Boat Bridd and right into Pool Side. There is a regular bus back to Bangor which depart from the first bus stop as you turn into Pool Side from Castle Square / Y Boat Bridd, an adult single cost £4 (March 2022).