Walk 8 - Holyhead Mountain walking and hiking route

Walk Instructions

A lighthouse, a fog station and a mountain. Given favourable weather conditions this will undoubtedly be a superb outing, with several differing attractions along the way. The first of these is Ellin’s Tower, an RSPB centre, constructed originally in 1868, by Ellin, wife of the then local M.P., W. Owen Stanley. The coastal RSPB reserve is a “gem,” and at appropriate times of the year very colourful. In early September the heather and gorse are in prime condition. An unforgettable sight. Look out for Choughs – localised and declining numbers mean sightings are rare. Useful information board gives specific details of flora and fauna.

Start/car parking - RSPB car park at South Stack (also called Ellin’s Tower car park), GR210819, near Holyhead. It is the first car park, on the left, to be encountered

Postcode of Ellin’s Tower: LL65 1YH

1. Set off from the car park heading across the heathland to Ellin’s Tower, and first sight of South Stack lighthouse. From Ellin’s Tower climb the steps, keeping straight ahead, to the road.

2. Turn left on to the road and soon turn right onto a concrete track signposted ‘M ynydd Twr’.

3. Follow the metalled surface to a major junction, then take the waymarked path to the right, aiming directly for the “mountain”. At another junction veer right (waymarked) along a track. (Ignore the coast path veering left.) Ignore any side paths. Later note a small reservoir, far below, on the right.

4. For the next part of the walk aim for the saddle ahead: Before coming to the end of the rocky outcrop on the left take a small path to the right and then right again on another small path gently walking uphill and curving round to the left and walk over the saddle. Keep to the maymarked path and ignore side paths. There is an old quarry on the right. The sprawling mass of Holyhead, Holyhead harbour and a tall chimney at the aluminium works come in and out of view.

5. Go gently downhill and the uphill. Continue onwards between limestone walls and follow way marks. On reaching some houses turn left along a grassy path. Turn left along a road and keep straight on a path in front of a stone house called Yeovil (on garage). Go down some steps and enter the Breakwater Industrial Museum complex. Stone quarried hereabouts was used in the construction of the long breakwater at Holyhead harbour. When that operation finished the site was used for brick production. A “Hoffman” type kiln and chimney being the centrepiece of that industry.

6. Within the complex swing right, departing to the rear of the information centre. Follow signs to South Stack paths which lead to the junction of the grassy coastal path and the gravel/sandy track. Take the track following a line of telegraph poles.

7. Continue up the track until reaching a Y junction. Take a left turn here, onto the Coastal path. This is heading for Holyhead’s highest point at 220m.

(8. Straight ahead leads to North Stack, a former coastguard and foghorn station, which is an optional extra. If visiting North Stack, then retrace to this turn off point.)

9. After 25yds there is another left turn. Soon there is a further left turn heading up the mountain. Follow the waymarkers going steeply up the hill, then after a downhill section turn right following the waymarkers.

10. Continue along the path until a junction marked Copa (Summit), turn left here. This leads to the top of the mountain. From the top return back down to the previously used Coastal path.

11. From here head straight ahead towards South Stack, Ellin’s Tower, and the car park, there are several routes. You can keep to the Coastal Path all the way, or on reaching a metalled track you can retrace your steps from the outward journey following the track, and then the road, back to your car.

Disclaimer: This route was correct at time of writing. However, alterations can happen if development or boundary changes occur, and there is no guarantee of permanent access. These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that neither HPB Management Limited nor any other person connected with Holiday Property Bond is responsible for the safety or wellbeing of those following the routes as described. It is walkers' own responsibility to be adequately prepared and equipped for the ‎level of walk and the weather conditions and to assess the safety and accessibility of the walk.