Holyhead Mountain & South Stack - 24 September 2018
Route
Holyhead - Stryd - Cae-alltwen - Holyhead Mountain - South Stack - North Stack - Breakwater Country Park - Holyhead
Parking
Upper Hill Street Car Park in Holyhead (Pay & Display) - Grid Reference SH24530 82603. Nearest postcode is LL65 1RT.
Mileage
9 miles
Terrain
Good paths throughout with some walking on minor roads.
Weather
Warm & sunny with light breezes.
Time Taken
4hrs 20mins
Total Ascent
1958ft (597m)
Map
OS 262 Anglesey West
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
Holyhead - Stryd - Cae-alltwen - Holyhead Mountain - South Stack - North Stack - Breakwater Country Park - Holyhead
Parking
Upper Hill Street Car Park in Holyhead (Pay & Display) - Grid Reference SH24530 82603. Nearest postcode is LL65 1RT.
Mileage
9 miles
Terrain
Good paths throughout with some walking on minor roads.
Weather
Warm & sunny with light breezes.
Time Taken
4hrs 20mins
Total Ascent
1958ft (597m)
Map
OS 262 Anglesey West
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
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GPX File
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Route Map
Upper Hill Street Car Park in Holyhead - the start point for the walk
Once clear of the town the route heads along grassy paths with Holyhead Mountain in view
This was a lovely stretch of walking as we continued on towards Holyhead Mountain
The good going underfoot continued however things would shortly become stony as we neared the mountain
Grass gives way to stone as we start to approach Holyhead Mountain
Looking to South Anglesey
This route clearly gets a fair bit of footfall as it is the main route to both Holyhead Mountain & South Stack Lighthouse
Looking to South Stack from the ascent to Holyhead Mountain
Fudge and I look down on Angie from near the summit - limestone aplenty here.
Whilst of modest height (220m) the views from the summit are spectacular as we look over to Holyhead Harbour
Our return route spread out before us
As is tradition
Time for a bit of lunch and what a view
Having eaten his fill, Fudge took it upon himself to scrounge for some of ours
Another glorious view down to Holyhead and the harbour
Leaving the mountain it was now time to head west to South Stack
South Stack Lighthouse - built by Trinity House in 1809
South Stack Lighthouse is located on a small island reached via a descent of 400 steps down the steep mainland cliffs. It is normally open to the public and details of opening times and dates can be found at this link here
Nope - sorry Fudge you are not a Great Dane
The old Coastguard lookout above South Stack. A small structure, the abandoned Coastguard lookout today appears as a cross between an old rural dwelling and a bus shelter. A simple roof encloses a small viewing space, while the front remains almost entirely open to the elements. It’s all too easy to imagine how miserable it would be sitting in here one stormy night, shivering as the wind and rain battered the stone walls and the dark sea churned far below. Yet sit here people once did, one eye continuously peeled for signs of trouble off South Stack. Today, the derelict lookout stands as a reminder of their efforts.
Looking to North Stack - we were off there next
The Rocket Post between South Stack & North Stack. Rocket posts were once used by the coastguard to 'fire' a line to ships stranded off this treacherous coast. This thin line enabled the crew to pull over a thicker rope called a hawser which was strong enough to carry people to safety using a breeches buoy.
Nearing North Stack - this is a fantastic stretch of coastline
The top of the cliffs above North Stack
North Stack and a ferry on its way to Dublin
South Stack from North Stack and a beautiful mackerel sky
Heading down to North Stack
The buildings at North Stack. This is the site of a redundant fog warning station comprising a number of buildings, including the Trinity House Magazine, built in 1861, where shells for the warning cannon were stored. These buildings now house a bird watching observatory.
The old Gunpowder Store near North Stack. This was the magazine where gunpowder was stored for the quarry, excavating stone for the Holyhead breakwater.
Ynys Wellt - we would now turn inland from here
The area on the right is an old Brickworks housing a mill dam and chimney
And rest we did
Heading to the old brickworks and the entrance to the Breakwater Country Park
A last look at North Stack and the quarry before we head inland
The dilapidated remains of Holyhead's Castle at Soldier's Point. The route back to the town is through the gap to the right.