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Exploring Caernarfon

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Walk directions

From the car park, walk towards the large new development and go through or round it to Victoria Dock, now a marina. The waters beyond are the Menai Strait and on the far side lie the flat green fields of the Isle of Anglesey. Beyond the docks follow the promenade, outside the town walls, past the twin-towered Port-yr-Aur (the Golden Gate).

Continue past the north end of Caernarfon Castle to an old swing bridge across Afon Seiont. Cross the bridge and turn left for a short way to enjoy classic views of the castle

Retrace your steps to recross the bridge and continue around the castle to Castle Square. At its far end, between the Presbyterian church and post office, is a narrow street, Tre Gôf. Follow this to the third turning on the right. Descend steps at the end and cross a footbridge above the terminus of the Welsh Highland Railway.

Turn left on the pavement, then fork left onto a signed cycle/foot track (Lon Eifion) alongside the railway. After 600yds (549m), go under a road bridge, cross the line and bear right under a flyover and up to a quiet road. Turn right, then just before an old bridge over the Seiont turn left on a road with dead-end sign.

Walk to the end. then turn left onto a footpath. Go past an old mill race and sluice gate, then under a low bridge and along the banks of the Seiont. Follow the pleasant riverside path for about half a mile (800m). Just after a derelict bridge, the path swings left and right around a factory and climbs gradually to a road (A4085).

Turn left on the pavement and walk past a cemetery. On the right is a medieval church, Eglwys Llanbeblig. On the crest of the hill just beyond, the entrance to Segontium is on the right. Descend the hill, keeping straight ahead. At the bottom go down steps on the right to cross the A487 by an underpass.

Turn right and go past the Ex-Service Club, then continue down Pool Street, lined with shops, to return to Castle Square. Cross the square and turn right along the far side of the town walls on Hole in the Wall Street. Turn left on High Street and left again down Palace Street.

Turn right along Castle Ditch, with the castle entrance almost opposite. Continue past the imposing 19th-century Crown Court. Turn right alongside it to follow Shirehall Street. Beyond St Mary’s Church, go through the gateway out to Victoria Dock, where you retrace your steps to the car park.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Lanes, streets and riverside footpath (may be muddy)

Landscape - Town with sea views, riverside woodland

Dog friendliness - No restrictions except traffic

Parking - Pay-and-display car park at Balaclafa Road

Toilets en route - In town centre on Balaclafa Road

Walks in Gwynedd Family friendly walks in Gwynedd

About the walk

There’s a lot in this short walk, but it is above all a walk of two fortresses: one of the grandest of Britain’s medieval castles, and a fascinating Roman fort. Caernarfon Castle dominates the beginning and end of the walk. It is the most imposing of Edward I’s ‘iron ring’, designed to subdue the... native Welsh people. Begun in 1283, it was to become a royal palace and was designed to reflect English dominance over the local populace. Its mighty polygonal towers are remarkably intact. It made a grand setting for King Charles III’s investiture as the then Prince of Wales in 1969, almost 700 years after Edward made his son the first English Prince of Wales in the same place. The castle also houses the regimental museum of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. A restored railway After briefly crossing the Afon Seiont (Saint River) to see a classic view of the castle, you soon meet the Welsh Highland Railway (WHR). The WHR opened in 1923, uniting several older lines, but struggled commercially and closed in 1937. In 1961 a few dedicated enthusiasts founded the Welsh Highland Railway Society and the first section of line, at Porthmadog, was reopened in 1980. Restoring the line through the mountains was an ambitious undertaking and regular services from Caernarfon did not resume until 2000. The line operates both steam and diesel locomotives. A Roman fortress Leaving the railway, the walk follows a quiet road before joining a footpath alongside the Seiont, giving a green interlude before emerging alongside a main road. This leads to the Roman fort of Segontium. This was built in ad 77, after the governor of Britain, Gnaeus Julius Agricola, conquered the Ordovices of Wales. At its height the fort would have housed 1,000 troops. Excavated coins show that the Romans remained until about ad 394. The fort site straddles the road and entrance is free, Tuesday to Sundays. It’s then downhill, back to Castle Square to begin exploring the area within the town walls. Where Hole in the Wall Street meets High Street are the East Gate and its Bell Tower. In past times these bells would sound the curfew. Anyone who wasn’t inside by 8pm would be locked out until 6am. Then you follow Palace Street, once famous for its 14 taverns. Here is the Market Hall, formerly Plas Mawr. Most of the roof timber came from old ships, and an old ship’s bell still peals to start the day’s trading.

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About the area

The county of Gwynedd is home to most of the Snowdonia National Park – including the wettest spot in Britain, an arête running up to Snowdon’s summit that receives an average annual rainfall of 4,473mm. With its mighty peaks, rivers and strong Welsh heritage (it has the highest proportion of Welsh-speakers in all of Wales), it’s always been an extremely popular place to visit and live.

Route details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Flat

Distance:

4 miles (6.4kms)

Ascent:

160ft (49m)

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Exploring Caernarfon

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Walk details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Flat

Distance:

4 miles (6.4kms)

Ascent:

160ft (49m)

Walk directions

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Continue past the north end of Caernarfon Castle to an old swing bridge across Afon Seiont. Cross the bridge and turn left for a short way to enjoy classic views of the castle

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Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Lanes, streets and riverside footpath (may be muddy)

Landscape - Town with sea views, riverside woodland

Dog friendliness - No restrictions except traffic

Parking - Pay-and-display car park at Balaclafa Road

Toilets en route - In town centre on Balaclafa Road

Walks in Gwynedd Family friendly walks in Gwynedd

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

Gwynedd

Exploring Caernarfon

Been on this walk?

Walking in Safety

Get an AA guide

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Exploring Caernarfon

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