Wales

Glan Faenol wildlife and woodland walk

A moderate walk where you'll explore varied native woodland and ancient parkland. Enjoy views of the house and gardens at Plas Newydd and the hills of Snowdonia. If you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a seal in the Menai Strait.

Near to

Plas Newydd House and Garden

Start point

Picnic area at Glan Faenol, grid ref: SH532698

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.5 (km: 2.4)

Duration1 hour to 1 hour 30 mins

Dog friendly***

*Twisting woodland paths that can get muddy when wet. For further details, see section marked Terrain.
**This walk includes steps and uneven terrain. For futher details, see section marked Access.
***Dogs should be kept on a lead near livestock. For further details, see section marked Facilities.

Address
Glan Faenol, near Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales
Directions via Google Maps
By bus
Take 6 or 43 bus from Bangor town centre to Parc Menai. Alight at the stop after the Premier Inn and walk down the road until you see Ffordd y Plas on your left. Take this turning and follow Glan Faenol signs to the picnic area. For more information visit Traveline-Cymru.
Traveline-Cymru
By train
Bangor Station 3.3 miles (5.3km).
Llanfairpwll 4.6 miles (7.4km).
By road
Leave the A55 at jn 9. Take the Parc Menai turning at the roundabout. Go straight over the mini-roundabout and take the first left (Ffordd y Plas) and follow Glan Faenol signs to the picnic area.
Total stages: 11
Total stages: 11
Start point
Picnic area at Glan Faenol, grid ref: SH532698
Stage 1
Head to the bottom of the picnic area and through the kissing gate, continue straight down the field (with dogs on leads) towards the Menai Strait.
Stage 2
As you approach the edge of the field you'll see the Faenol Wall. Take the gate into the woodland.
Stage 3
Follow the path through the trees and enjoy the woodland colours of Glan Faenol. Leave the woodland through another small gate.
Stage 4
Turn your back on the Strait and walk up the field for 50yd (45m) or so to a bridge and kissing gate on your right. Go through the gate and enter Boat House Wood.
Stage 5
Follow the path through the wood. Eventually you'll cross another bridge and then come to a track. You can cut the walk short here by turning left and following the track up until you reach some green gates. Go through the gates (which date back to when the estate had a menagerie of exotic animals and deer for hunting). Follow the tree-lined avenue to another gate, here you can turn left to return to the car park.
Stage 6
Cross over the track and continue into another different woodland area. After climbing some steps go through a kissing gate into a field.
Stage 7
Keeping dogs on leads, walk up the field, following the fence on your left.
Stage 8
At the top of the field enter Cefn Gwyn Woodland through another kissing gate. Follow the path past the mature oak, ash and sycamore trees until you reach another kissing gate.
Stage 9
Through this gate follow the fence across the top of the field to another kissing gate. Through this gate turn left and walk diagonally across the field to the gate under the trees.
Stage 10
You'll see a triangular gate: this is a Culrew gate and it's designed to allow sheep access but prevent cattle from entering the path. Go through this gate and follow the path until you reach a large kissing gate.
Stage 11
Go through this last gate and turn left to take a well-deserved rest in the picnic area.
End point
Picnic area at Glan Faenol, grid ref: SH532698
Trail map
Glan Faenol wildlife and woodland trail | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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The terraces outside the House in summer at Plas Newydd, Anglesey

Place

Plas Newydd House and Garden

On the island of Ynys Môn (Anglesey), Plas Newydd is a Grade 1 listed house and garden situated on the banks of the Menai Strait.

Couple walking in the garden at Plas Newydd with mountains in the background

Trail

Hidden corners of Plas Newydd walk

Discover the hidden corners of Plas Newydd on a walking trail packed full of stunning views over the Menai Strait, the Faenol and Snowdonia.

Visitors walking at Plas Newydd, North Wales

Trail

A gentle walk at Plas Newydd

This easy trail around Plas Newydd's grounds offers fun for the whole family, including a treehouse and adventure playground, against the backdrop of Snowdonia and the Menai Strait.

Gate from Walled Garden in winter at Penrhyn Castle

Trail

Discover nature walk at Penrhyn Castle

Enjoy a circular walk around the lesser-known parts of the castle grounds as you discover a diverse range of wildlife and nature that call this place home.