May is National Walking Week! And so to celebrate we thought we’d trawl through our walking archives (and over the years we’ve done a lot of lovely walks….) and find our favourites. This week it’s a Borth-y-Gest beach walk – an oldie but a beauty. Save it for a sunny day to appreciate the gorgeous beaches and stunning mountainous views…..

Where:              Borth-y-Gest, near Porthmadog, Gwynedd.

Distance:          Approx 4 miles

Difficulty:          Easy

Start:                Car park in village centre (follow A487 to Porthmadog, half way along high street turn into Bank Place (signed Black Rock). Follow uphill, fork left for Borth-y-Gest). Postcode for sat nav is LL49 9TS (approx)

Grid Ref:           SH 565 375

Map:                 OS Explorer 254: Lleyn Peninsula East

Directions:    

1: Turn away from harbour, head up short path at top left corner of car park. Turn left and stay ahead as road sweeps to right; passing large houses and B&B on right.

2: At road end stay ahead to follow footpath, passing church above on right. Continue ahead on beach top path. Continue on this until you reach the end at a footbridge. Cross this then down steps and onto beach.

3: Stay ahead to cross beach and soon after small brook, look for path uphill at bottom right corner of sand dune. Follow path as it snakes to right. Turn left at top and follow path along stone wall. Keep ahead; at end turn right at footpath sign, through open gate then immediately left.

4: Follow windy path, down steep steps, then wider zig-zag steps. At end, either turn left down concrete slipway then right onto beach, or if tide is high go straight over slipway and follow stony path at top of embankment, golf course on right. Head for rocky outcrop on left with small white house just visible, if tide out then skirt around edge of rocks. If not, continue along embankment path dropping down to Black Rock Beach.

5: On beach continue ahead with dunes to right, until first main exit on right (look for wooden sign-board). Take exit, passing toilets then caravan parks. Soon after Glanaber Pub take right turn for Y Ffridd, passing large house to right. Soon look for public footpath sign leading into wooded area. Follow path, cross stream and emerge onto golf course.

6: Follow gravel path through course and after large bend and fence posts, track will meet tarmac road. Turn left then almost immediately right along fence to path uphill into trees. Continue until you emerge into caravan park. Turn left.

7: Follow lane through park and at junction by tennis courts turn left then almost immediately right, with duck pond to right. Follow windy road uphill, passing 2 wooden bin stores. At first caravan on your left leave road to cross small grassy clearing on right, leading to path through trees and fork left through gate. For fabulous view point take second path on right. Return to path turning right, eventually through kissing gate, turn right to pass rear of houses. Turn left at road leading down Mersey Street back to car park.

**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.