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Stone Circles and Foel Lus - Penmaenmawr, County Conwy

Difficulty Moderate

Walking time 2 hours 40 minutes

Length 8.6km / 5.4mi

Route developer: ron.rambler

Route checker: Joanna Slattery

Start location Gladstone Memorial, Penmaenmawr
Route Summary A walk that takes you to wonderful viewpoints just off the North Wales Coast. It features a walk created especially for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, open countryside, a complex of Celtic Stone Circles
*move mouse over graph to see points on route
Getting there

There is a large car park and toilets close to the start point.

Public transport: Arriva 5 bus route between Llandudno and Caernarfon.

Description

[1] From the Gladstone Memorial cross the main road into Fernbrook Road. Pass the Car Park on your right and walk up the steps (right) up alongside the block of flats (Y Berllan). At the top of the steps turn right and then left up hill towards the playing field. Ignore the first path to the left and take the second footpath through the kissing gate to the left of the playing field. Pass the ruins of a cottage and go uphill to the kissing gate on to the road. Turn left and follow the road to the entrance to Graiglwyd Caravan Park.

[2] Take the footpath right just past the entrance to the Caravan Park. Follow as it passes  the fisheries to go over a stile and kissing gate on to the open land. Turn left and follow the path alongside a wall on your left to the road (mountain lane). Turn right and follow the road uphill until to come to the two stone pillars. These mark the start of the Jubilee Walk

(A) The Jubilee Path was opened in 1888 to mark the Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee

[3] Go through the stone pillars and follow the largely level footpath as it goes around Foel Lus. From here there are extensive views  towards Llandudno, Conwy Mountain and beyond. Continue until you reach the signpost indicating that you have been following the Wales Coast Path

This is also the point where the alternative path to the summit leaves the main route. Turn right up hill to the next electricity/telegraph pole and then take the fainter path right to the summit. Leave the summit by the broad path, turn right where it meets a track and follow to [5].

[4] Follow the broad footpath going slightly right. This continues as a largely level path and passes a long stone wall until you a reach a junction of paths. Turn left.

[5] There are several paths in this area, Take the one that is going parallel to that which you arrive –past a no entry road sign and  towards the converted “give way” signpost. This path gently bends right. You are now on the Wales Coast Path Alternative again. Continue along it. Shortly the North Wales Path joins at a gate. Continue ahead to go around the house of Bryn Derwydd. Stay on the path until a fork. Take the left hand path towards the stone circle on the horizon.

(B) There are numerous stone circles in this area. Take time to explore them.The largest is known as the Druid's circle but excavations showed it is much older than the Druids and is Neolithic, from the early Bronze Age. Some are believed to be burial chambers. Of particular interest are two smaller ones of only 5 stones. These are believed to be the only ones of this type in Great Britain. There are many more in Ireland.

[6] Leave the smaller of the two large stone circles (probably a burial chamber) by continuing ahead along a sunken green path. When you join the broader North Wales Path/Coast Path turn sharply right. You are now effectively walking back. 

(C) On the slopes of Graiglwyd was a Neolithic axe factory. Axes from here have been found in other parts of the UK and Europe 

When you come to the larger waymark post with includes the distances turn left. Go to the footpath sign and take the path through the gate to cross the stream. Turn right and follow the path back down to the lane. Turn left and follow your outward route back to the start.

POI information No details available.
Notes

Refreshments:  Available in the pubs and cafes in the town. There is also a café on the beach.

Acknowledgements No details available.
  • The Stone Pillars at the start of the Jubilee Path
    The Stone Pillars at the start of the Jubilee Path
    By - Ron Williams
  • The start of the Jubilee Path
    The start of the Jubilee Path
    By - Ron Williams
  • View over towards the Great Orme and Conwy Mountain from the Jubilee Path
    View over towards the Great Orme and Conwy Mountain from the Jubilee Path
    By - Ron Williams
  • View of Sychnant Pass from the Jubilee Path
    View of Sychnant Pass from the Jubilee Path
    By - Ron Williams
  • Waypoint 4 the  main route goes ahead. The alternative to the right
    Waypoint 4 the main route goes ahead. The alternative to the right
    By - Ron Williams
  • Views over toYnys Mon and Puffin Island
    Views over toYnys Mon and Puffin Island
    By - Ron Williams
  • Talyfan from Foel Lus
    Talyfan from Foel Lus
    By - Ron Williams
  • The Carneddau from Foel Lus
    The Carneddau from Foel Lus
    By - Ron Williams
  • Improvised Signpost at Waypoint 5
    Improvised Signpost at Waypoint 5
    By - Ron Williams
  • One of two small 5 stone circles
    One of two small 5 stone circles
    By - Ron Williams
  • The largest of the Stone Circles
    The largest of the Stone Circles
    By - Ron Williams
  • Probable Burial Chamber
    Probable Burial Chamber
    By - Ron Williams
  • The waymarker post with distances
    The waymarker post with distances
    By - Ron Williams
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