Nant Gwrtheyrn to St Beuno's Church, Gwynedd

Start and Finish

Nant Gwrtheyrn to Pistyll

Distance

4 miles or 7 km

Along the way

The walk starts at Nant Gwrtheyrn (the Nant to its friends), the Welsh language and cultural centre spectacularly located in a former Victorian quarrying village on Llŷn’s rugged northern coast.

Abandoned when the local quarries closed, the village sits in the shadow of the Yr Eifl mountain range and is steeped in local legend and folklore.  The Wales Coast Path takes you from the Nant, past the remnants of what was once a port above the beach and through an area of protected ancient coastal woodland to Penrhyn Glas Quarry on the opposite headland of the bay.

From there, follow an old green lane through an area of National Trust land to St Beuno’s Church.  Whatever your religious leanings, this holy site is well worth a visit. Dating back to the 12th century, it’s located along the Pilgrim’s Way, the ancient route that links Basingwerk Abbey in Holywell with Bardsey Island. 

In the 6th century the church was a place of solitude for Beuno and later for pilgrims making the long journey to Bardsey.  These days it is preserved as it would have been in Beuno’s time, with herbs and rushes on the floor.  Open to visitors and worshippers, services are held here every month.

You can either retrace your steps for your return journey or catch the Llŷn Coastal Bus (seasonal) back to Nant Gwrtheryn.

Walk Highlights

Rhys Roberts Wales Coast Path Officer’s highlights 

"Some of the best bits of this walk are the Welsh Language centre at Nant Gwytheryn, nestled into the hillside, beneath Yr Eifl, where wild goats can often be spotted on the slate tips. The ancient oak woodland, which clings to the hillside above the each with its azure blue sea, but St Beuno’s church at the end is a gem".

Need to know

There’s parking and toilets at Nant Gwrtheyrn, along with Caffi Meinir, which serves snacks, meals and refreshments.

During the summer and autumn months you can catch the Llŷn Coastal Bus from Pistyll back to Nant Gwrtheyrn.  Visit the Llŷn Coastal Bus Service website for bus timetables and contact details.   

Alternatively, you can walk the return loop back to the Nant over the hill on the inland side.

Itinerary and Map

Download the Nant Gwrtheryn to St Beuno's Church itinerary (PDF) and a route map (JPEG)