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Wales

Pistyll circular walk

Pistyll views — Views from Pistyll | © Lily Usher

Explore an historic landscape rich in archaeology and wildlife.

Near to

Start point

Parking near National Trust signage, Pistyll. For satnav use LL53 6LR.

Trail information

Difficulty

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 6 (km: 9.6)

Duration4 hours 30 mins

Dog friendly*

*Cattle may be grazing here, please don’t approach them, and keep your dogs on leads at all times.

Address
Near Nature's Point, Pistyll, Pwllheli, Gwynedd LL53 6LR
Directions via Google Maps
By road
From Pwllheli- At Ala Road roundabout take the 2nd exit onto A497 and continue for 5 miles. At Bryncynan roundabout take 3rd exit towards Nefyn (B4417) continue for a mile, then head straight over the roundabout and follow the road to Pistyll. Turn left when you see signs for Nature's point and St. Beuno's church.
Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Parking near National Trust signage, Pistyll. For satnav use LL53 6LR.
Stage 1
From the parking point, head through the kissing gate near the National Trust sign. Follow the path up the small slope before passing through a metal kissing gate on your left. Follow the stone wall on the right-hand side of the field.
Beginning of Pistyll circular walk | © Alex Jones
Stage 2
Continue following the path, passing through a series of kissing gates until you reach a large, open field. Head downhill and pass through the gate in the centre of the field. Follow the fence on the left towards the farm.
Kissing gate at the bottom of a field | © National Trust
Stage 3
Pass through the kissing gate on the right, bear left and go through another gate. Cross the track and go through a wooden kissing gate, heading towards the top right-hand corner.
Kissing gate next to farmhouse | © National Trust
Stage 4
Follow the track to the left and cross the stile on the right. Continue upwards and pass through two more kissing gates.
Stile leading to Wales Coast Path | © National Trust
Stage 5
Go through the metal gate and head towards the cottage in front of you. Keeping to the left of the stone wall, proceed through another gate and continue walking with the fence on your left. You’ll reach the foothills of Yr Eifl mountain range and a car park. Follow the tarmac road down the valley towards the village of Nant Gwrtheyrn.
Views of the valley
Marvel in the landscape of the Gwrtheyrn valley. Here you will be able to see many architectural landmarks from old quarries to miners’ cottages. High above you is Yr Eifl mountain range where you’ll see the northern hill of Garn Fôr has been sculpted by man after the quarry opened in the 1840s. Keep an eye out for the unique mountain goats- a breed only found here in this part of the world.
Nant Gwrtheyrn top car park | © Natinal Trust
Stage 6
You are now at the National Welsh Language and Heritage Centre of Nant Gwrtheyrn. Proceed to follow the road down towards the beach and follow the coast path waymarkers on your left. From here you will walk above Porth y Nant beach, through a small woodland and across a little brook.
Nant Gwrtheyrn
As the industrial era took hold, cities around the UK were developing and the demand for granite also grew. From the 1850s to the 1930s, Nant Gwrtheyrn was a successful quarrying village with around 200 habitants located there at the turn of the 20th century. Following the quarry’s closure after the Second World War broke out the community dispersed, leaving the village derelict for years. Today, Nant Gwrtheyrn is a Welsh Language and Heritage Centre, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Take the opportunity to visit the buildings and soak up their fascinating displays about local and national history. You can also relax and enjoy refreshments along with great views across the Irish Sea at Caffi Meinir.
Stage 7
Once you arrive a track, follow it downwards and continue to follow the coast path waymarkers.
Close-up of a cormorant | © Mick Jones
Stage 8
Continue to follow the way markers until you reach St. Beuno church in Pistyll, then walk up the tarmac road to where you started.
St. Beuno church | © National Trust
End point
Parking near National Trust signage, just off the main road.
Trail map
Pistyll circular walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Pistyll, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 6LR

pistyll@nationaltrust.org.uk

Winter Scenes over Porth Pistyll beach

Place

Place

Pistyll

Explore an historic landscape rich in archaeology and wildlife on Llŷn’s northern coast.

Two people are walking two small dogs along Llanbedrog beach, a wide stretch of sand lined with colourful beach huts with tall, dark green trees directly behind them.

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