Skip to content
A wide-angle shot of a person walking along the shoreline at Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey. The bay sweeps around in a curve, and the sea is gently lapping the shore.
A visitor walking at Cemlyn Bay | © National Trust Images/John Millar
Wales

Cemlyn shingle ridge walk

Discover a trail along the shingle ridge and watch a host of water birds on the lagoon at Cemlyn National Nature Reserve. This circular trail will take you across a causeway and along country lanes at Cemlyn Bay. It's perfect for walkers and wildlife spotters. Dogs are welcome to join you as well.

Flooding

Bryn Aber car park and the bridge leading across to Esgair Gemlyn are liable to flooding. Please check for high tide times before your visit.

Total steps: 5

Total steps: 5

Start point

Bryn Aber car park, grid ref: SH329936

Step 1

Go out of the car park and turn left, over the bridge and onto the shingle ridge. The ridge, known as Esgair Gemlyn, was formed by the process of longshore drift.

Step 2

Walk along the ridge towards the eastern car park. To your right is the Cemlyn National Nature Reserve, an internationally important seabird colony. Access to the top of the shingle ridge is limited when the terns are nesting, this area is patrolled by North Wales Wildlife Trust Wardens.

Adults and juvenile sandwich terns on the shingle beach at Blakeney Point, Norfolk
Sandwich tern colony | © National Trust Images / Ian Ward

Step 3

When you get to the car park at the eastern end of the ridge, turn right and walk down the lane past Tyddyn Sydney farm.

Step 4

At the road junction, bear right and walk along the lane past the National Trust farm at Plas Cemlyn.

Step 5

Turn right at the road junction and follow the lane back over the causeway and past Bryn Aber, back to the car park.

End point

Bryn Aber car park, grid ref: SH329936

Trail map

Trail map for shingle ridge walk, Cemlyn, Wales
Trail map for shingle ridge walk, Cemlyn | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

You made it

Share your experience

More near here

View across the Menai Strait to Plas Newydd from Glan Faenol, Anglesey, Wales.
Trail
Trail

Glan Faenol wildlife and woodland walk 

Explore varied native woodland and ancient parkland with views of the house and gardens at Plas Newydd and the hills of Snowdonia.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1.5 (km: 2.4)
Couple walking in the garden at Plas Newydd with mountains in the background
Trail
Trail

Hidden corners of Plas Newydd walk 

Discover the hidden corners of Plas Newydd on a walking trail packed full of stunning views over the Menai Strait, the Faenol and Snowdonia.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)
Sunset over the wide sweep of Cemlyn Bay
Trail
Trail

The Trwyn Cemlyn walk on Anglesey 

Enjoy this easy walk around the coastal headland at Cemlyn. The trail celebrates Anglesey’s rich wildlife and industrial heritage.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)
A wide-angle shot of a person walking along the shoreline at Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey. The bay sweeps around in a curve, and the sea is gently lapping the shore.
Trail
Trail

Cemlyn and Llanrhwydrus circular walk 

Follow this three-mile circular walk at Cemlyn on Anglesey, taking in sea views, rock formations, spiritual sites and wildlife. Lucky visitors may even see seals, and if you time it right, you can watch the sun set over the Irish Sea.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)

Get in touch

Cemlyn Nature Reserve, Cemlyn, Cemaes Bay, Anglesey, LL67 0DY

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website 

You might also be interested in

A wide-angle shot of a person walking along the shoreline at Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey. The bay sweeps around in a curve, and the sea is gently lapping the shore.
Article
Article

Bird-spotting at Cemlyn 

Take a walk along the rugged coastline of the north coast of Anglesey and see if you can spot the wide variety of unusual birds that visit the area.

A man and a woman enjoy the view whilst walking in the Peak District
Article
Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner 

Learn about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. Find out how they help us care for precious places and the exclusive discount available for National Trust supporters.

An aerial view of an adult and baby walking a dog along a path at Baggy Point, Devon
Article
Article

Staying safe at National Trust places 

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.

A visitor carrying a backpack and walking along a footpath at Divis and the Black Mountain with stone walls either side, the countryside visible in the background.
Article
Article

Follow the Countryside Code 

Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.

Two walkers and one person using an all-terrain mobility vehicle look out from a grassy hill, across the sea and to a coastal town
Article
Article

Top tips for coastal walks 

Get safety tips for walking by the coast, including the essential clothing and equipment to take with you and what to do before you set out.

Visitor crossing water via stepping stones with their dog on an autumnal walk at Wallington

Walking 

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.