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Prestatyn Walks - Near and Around

7.46 miles (12 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This seaside resort is located in a great spot on the North Wales coast in Denbighshire. For walkers there's fine coastal trails and wonderful hill climbs inland to try. Three epic long distance trails start/end in the town, providing an opportunity to explore the surrounding area on good waymarked footpaths. There's also lovely beaches and the Gronant Dunes which is the last major (surviving) example of the former large dune system that covered the coast of North East Wales. The rare sand lizard and the natterjack toad can be spotted in this wildlife rich area.
This route uses sections of the Dyserth to Prestatyn Walkway, the North Wales Path and the Offa's Dyke Path to create a circular walk around the town. It visits some of nearby highlights including the viewpoint at Graig Fawr and the neighbouring village of Dyserth.
You can start the walk on the sea front at the Nova West car park. The train station is also on the route so if you're coming by public transport it's easy to pick it up. From the sea front head south along the North Wales Path and it will take you through the town before heading up to the Prestatyn Hillside Nature Reserve on the Offa's Dyke Path. Continue south west along the waymarked trail and it will take you up to Graig Fawr where there are some lovely views towards the coast. The route then descends to the south to visit Dyserth. Here you can try the Dyserth Waterfall Walk and visit the 70ft falls. There's also caves, woodland trails, a 16th century church and some nice tea rooms to see in this area.
After exploring the village you head north picking up the Dyserth to Prestatyn Walkway which runs along a disused railway line. This will take you past Meliden and the golf course before descending back in to the town.

Postcode

LL19 7EY - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

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

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

Pubs/Cafes

After your walk head to the Central Beach Club for some refreshment. It's a friendly place in a great location near the sea front. You can find them near the start of the walk at 63 Bastion Road with a postcode of LL19 7ET for your sat navs.

Dog Walking

It's a lovely walk to do with a fit dog. The beach is also popular with dog walkers though there are some restrictions during the summer months. The Central Beach club mentioned above is dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Head east along the coast path and you could visit the Point of Ayr Nature Reserve. There's wonderful views across the Dee Estuary and lots of wildlife to look out for here. If you continue south east the path will take you to Holywell and the historic Flint Castle. If you follow the Wales Coast Path west from the town you can visit Rhyl, Kinmel Bay and Abergele. Here you could visit the woodland, gardens and viewpoint at Gwrych Castle. The Grade I listed castle became famous in 2020 when it was used as the setting for the 20th series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!  On the western side of the castle there's the small village of Rhyd y Foel where you can enjoy a climb to the Pen y Corddyn Mawr hill fort. There's photogenic limestone scenery and more fine views over the River Dulas valley from this interesting ancient site.
The western end of the Clwydian Way also starts in the town.

Photos

Sand dunes, Prestatyn - geograph.org.uk - 655438

Sand dunes. These dunes are a protected site and the only surviving largely unmodified dunes along the North Wales coastline. They are a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and serve a valuable function as a natural sea defence.

Above Prestatyn on the Offa's Dyke Path - geograph.org.uk - 541332

Above Prestatyn on the Offa's Dyke Path at the Hillside Nature Reserve. Looking west across Llandudno Bay with the Great Orme just visible in the haze in the distance.

Approaching Prestatyn along the escarpment above Meliden - geograph.org.uk - 1334529

Approaching Prestatyn along the escarpment above Meliden. Offa's Dyke Path runs along the steep wooded escarpmemt above Meliden, on the way to 'journey's end' on the shore at the seaside town.

Dawn on Graig Fawr as it casts its shadow on the land - geograph.org.uk - 894041

Dawn on Graig Fawr as it casts its shadow on the land

Offa's Dyke Path climbing Coed y Esgob - geograph.org.uk - 1336071

Climbing Coed y Esgob Truly the final climb for northbound Offa's Dyke Path walkers as they grind their way up onto Coed y Esgob in the Prestatyn Hillside Nature Reserve.

Dyserth waterfall - geograph.org.uk - 657678

Dyserth waterfall. In Lower Dyserth the Afon Ffyddion plunges seventy feet to create the waterfall for which the village is famous. In times of heavy rainfall it can turn into a raging torrent and the stream below has been known to overflow and flood parts of the lower village. Dr Johnson came to see it in 1774.

True End of the Offa's Dyke Path^ - geograph.org.uk - 1336150

True End of the Offa's Dyke Path? The end of an epic 178 mile walking marathon from Chepstow (Sedbury Cliffs.) The southern end started in the mud of the Severn Estuary - this end is nice clean firm beach. There is even a signpost and a kind of metal polo mint to signify the terminus on the front. Surely the true end should be the beach or sea?

Prestatyn High Street - geograph.org.uk - 1725990

Prestatyn High Street. One way system, looking up towards the hills. 

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

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

Memory Map Route

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