Earlier this week on the Oakeley blog we celebrated some of our glorious nation’s most lovely islands.

Well today is your chance to explore one of the islands up close, with this beautiful walk around Holyhead mountain, with glorious views of North Stack and South Stack Islands on Anglesey. Happy Walking!

Where:              South Stack, Holy Island, Anglesey

Distance:          Approx 4.5 miles

Difficulty:          Moderate

Start:                RSPB Car Park, South Stack, LL65 1YH (Follow A5 to Holyhead town centre and then follow signposts for RSPB South Stack nature reserve – approx 3 miles from town centre)

Grid Ref:           SH 210 818

Map:                 OS Explorer 262: Anglesey West

Directions

1: Leave car park and follow signs for the RSBP centre, passing Ellin’s Tower. Follow path to road, turn left along it and follow to the end.

2: To visit South Stack lighthouse follow signs then return to path; head right and past small concrete shelter and path will round aerials and satellites. At a crossroads, turn left then left again at a fork. Stay ahead as path heads over the north side of Holyhead mountain.

3: Ignore the paths to the summit and stay straight ahead for paths north towards North Stack. Soon, the path will zig-zag down hillside to reach the Fog Signal Station. From here there are beautiful views of North Stack Island.

4: Re-trace steps to mountain paths. With the summit path straight ahead, take narrow path to left that heads across heath-land. Will soon join another path that takes you along east side of mountain. Turn to right, and again ignore the summit path.

5: After passing mountain take right fork as path reaches wall and follow downhill. Go along grassy path between walls and soon the satellites will appear in view ahead. Follow path towards them.

6: At a crossroads turn left then left again. Follow this concrete path to road then turn left and back to car park.

Point of Interest

1: Ellin’s Tower is now the site of the RSPB visitor centre. From here you can see great views towards South Stack, and some of the island’s brilliant bird species, such as choughs, guillemots and puffins.

Admission is free and it is open daily (10am-5pm) from Easter to September. See www.rspb.org.uk for more details

**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. The information quoted is correct at the time of writing. Always take a map with you and be prepared for the weather for turn. Do not venture out in bad weather.