Did you know that today is the very first day of Summer? It may not feel like it where you are, but June 20th 2016 is officially the longest day of the year, heralding not only the first day of Summer but also the Summer Solstice. And for the first time in almost 70 years, the solstice this year coincides with the Strawberry Moon – a full moon that occurs in June and so named by Native Americans because it signaled the start of the Strawberry season.

There are hundreds of ways to celebrate the Summer Solstice. Thousands of revelers will gather at the historic Stonehenge site in Southern England – a place that has long been linked with pagan rituals and traditions.

We think that a wonderful way to enjoy the Summer Solstice here in Snowdonia is to make the most of the long evenings and enjoy a walk around some of our beautiful coastline. So this week’s blog is dedicated to a fabulous Porthdinllaen beach walk.

Porthdinllaen is a tiny village on the Llyn Peninsula which is famed for it’s sandy beaches and gorgeous views.

Where:              Porthdinllaen, near Morfa Nefyn, Gwynedd.

Distance:          Approx 3 miles

Difficulty:          Easy

Start:                National Trust Car park at Morfa Nefyn (from Pwllheli, take the A497 towards Nefyn. At roundabout, stay ahead for Morfa Nefyn to pass pub on left (B4412). Go through village centre and stay ahead for beach and Lôn Golff. Turn right into car park). Postcode for sat nav LL53 6DA (approx)

Grid Ref:           SH 281 408

Maps:               OS Explorer 253: Lleyn Peninsula West

Note:                *This walk can only be completed at low tide. Check before setting off at www.tidetimes.org.uk/porth-dinllaen

Directions:        1: Walk to the bottom of the car-park (away from the entrance) to find a path in the right corner and follow this to a lane. Turn left, passing toilets to reach beach and turn left along it.

2: Continue along beach to Porthdinllaen, eventually passing the Ty Coch pub and then cottages. Follow a path above shoreline but below cliffs to pass a house and then onwards to lifeboat station.

3: Find the station’s track and walk past the flagpole and bear to the right along a cliff top path. Follow this as is passes an old tower and continue along the edge of the golf course.

4: Continue until you reach a track, turning right just before it and continue downhill on the coast path soon following the golf course boundary again.

5: Eventually pass above the cove of Borth Wen then at a junction (near a warning sign) take the sharp left turn and walk across the golf course to a way-marker. Go left here and carry on towards the building then along the track to the club. At the lane, turn right and walk along it back to the car park.

Image by By Martin Bodman on wikicommons

**Please note that these directions are for guidance only. The Oakeley Arms can accept no responsibility for any loss, damage or injury resulting from the use of this information. Always take a map with you and be prepared for the weather for turn. Do not venture out in bad weather and always take care with coastal tides.