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Bangor Mountain, Coast and Woods Walk

4.35 miles (7 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This walk around Bangor takes you to some of the highlights of the coastal town. You'll visit the interesting Roman Camp, walk along the coastal path, climb to Bangor Mountain and enjoy a stroll along Garth Pier. There's also a woodland and riverside section along an old railway path.
The walk starts at Garth with a walk along the pier. The popular pier provides wonderful views over the Menai Strait, which separates the island of Anglesey from the mainland of Wales.
Atfer exploring the pier head west along the coast path to visit the Bangor Roman Camp. The area is now a nature reserve but in the 12th century the hill top was occupied by a fort. There's woodland trails, interesting flora and fauna and more nice views over the Menai Strait from the elevated position of the hill fort.
After viewing the site the walk returns to the coast path before heading inland to climb Bangor Mountain. There are several rocky outcrops at high points on the mountain providing panoramic views of the city centre, the Menai Strait and over to the east of Anglesey, including the town of Beaumaris. This is probably the best location from which to see the city highlights including Bangor University and the cathedral.
After taking in the views the route then descends to the east where you can pick up a section of the North Wales Path. The waymarked trail will lead you north along the River Cegin to the coast. The route then finishes with another coastal section leading you back to Garth Point.
To extend the walk you could head east and visit Penrhyn Castle. Here you will find 60 acres of woodland and parkland surrounding a large 19th-century neo-Norman castle. Also nearby is Plas Newydd where there are lovely woodland walks and pretty gardens. There's also the option of crossing the Menai Bridge and picking up the wonderful Anglesey Coast Path. Our Menai Bridge Walk takes you across the bridge and also visits the lovely Treborth Gardens. Also of note is the North Wales Coast path which starts in the town and heads all the way to Prestatyn, with the first section running to Conwy.
To further continue your walking around Bangor you could head east into the wonderful Snowdonia National Park where there are miles of trails to try. You could follow the North Wales Path east and visit Abergwyngregyn and Aber Falls. The falls are one of the walking highlights of the area and well worth a visit.

Bangor OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Bangor Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Bangor

  • North Wales Path - Explore hills, coast, valleys, mountains and the beautiful coast on this stunning walk through North Wales
  • Penrhyn Castle - Explore 60 acres of woodland and parkland surrounding this large 19th-century neo-Norman castle near Bangor, Gwynedd.
  • Anglesey Coast Path - Follow the beautiful coastline of the Isle of Anglesey on the fabulous walk
  • Menai Bridge - This walk explores the area around the Anglesey town of Menai Bridge
  • Prestatyn - This seaside resort is located in a great spot on the North Wales coast in Denbighshire
  • Lon Las Ogwen - This lovely cycle route runs from the coast at Bangor to Llyn Ogwen in the Snowdonia National Park.
  • Nant Ffrancon - A walk through the stunning Nant Ffrancon Valley from Bethesda to Llyn Ogwen.
  • Abergwyngregyn - This historic village is located in a lovely spot in the popular Aber Valley in Gwynedd, North Wales

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The Lon Las Ogwen cycle route starts just to the east of the town at Porth Penrhyn. The off road trail will take you south through Snowdonia to the beautiful Llyn Ogwen, passing the splendid Penrhyn Quarry at Bethesda and the stunning glacial valley of Nant Ffrancon on the way. It runs mostly along old railway paths and the River Ogwen before finishing at the lake and waterfall. The route is also suitable for walkers.

Photos

Pier y Garth Bangor Garth Pier - geograph.org.uk - 680447

Pier y Garth Bangor Garth Pier. Looking from the entrance down the length of the pier

Pier y Garth Bangor Garth Pier - geograph.org.uk - 680728

Looking towards Glyn y Garth across Afon Menai from Garth Pier

The 12th century earthworks of the Roman Camp - geograph.org.uk - 657757

The 12th century earthworks of the Roman Camp. Bangor's Roman Camp is Norman rather than Roman. The earthworks are the remains of a well positioned motte and bailey castle built by Hugh D'Avranches, the Earl of Chester, early in the 12th century.

Meadow and mast on Bangor Mountain - geograph.org.uk - 812675

Meadow and mast on Bangor Mountain

Panoramic view of Bangor from Bangor Mountain - geograph.org.uk - 2110537

Panoramic view of Bangor from Bangor Mountain

Grade II listed North Wales Heroes Memorial, Bangor - geograph.org.uk - 2914164

Grade II listed North Wales Heroes Memorial, Bangor

Bangor Cathedral - geograph.org.uk - 2877090

Bangor Cathedral

Garth, Bangor - geograph.org.uk - 3824259

A bike rests against the railings near the pier at Garth

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Bangor.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Bangor.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)