Walks you can reach from Penychain by train

Mix of tarmac paths and pavements through Criccieth past the castle and seafront, with an optional beach section.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Criccieth Castle: A native Welsh castle on a rocky headland above Criccieth's beaches, with views along the Llyn coast.

Criccieth Lifeboat Station: RNLI station established in 1853 on the seafront.

Time: 30m–1h30

Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).

Tarmac and pavement loop with a short sand-dune section around Pwllheli harbour, with views over the marina and the mountains of Eryri.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Crochan Berw: Rocky outcrop above the sea whose Welsh name translates as 'boiling cauldron'.

Pwllheli Inner Harbour Marina: Sheltered marina at Pwllheli with moored sailing boats.

Pwllheli Beach and Promenade: Long sandy beach and seafront promenade backed by dunes.

Time: 1h–2h30

Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).

Short circuit exploring the Gwaith Powdwr Nature Reserve, a former munitions factory now managed for wildlife.

Coastal: two thirds along the coast.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Gwaith Powdwr Nature Reserve: Former gunpowder and munitions factory site, now a North Wales Wildlife Trust reserve with woodland and heathland.

Time: 30m–1h

Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).

Recommended: Some spectacular views. An interesting, varied route mostly following the well-signed Wales Coast Path, fairly level with a few short climbs. It crosses coastal heathland, the long sandy Black Rock Sands (with likely shallow stream crossings), secluded bays and a fairly steep rocky outcrop, then weaves around higher ground; some paths can be muddy and puddly when wet. Soft sand and rock outcrops and steps. Follows the Wales Coast Path. Passes the quaint harbour of Borth-y-Gest and Black Rock Sands. Plenty of cafes and toilets en route and at the finish; good transport links.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Time: 3h–5h30

Lunch: Cafes and toilets both en route and at the finish.

Warnings: A fairly steep rocky outcrop at the eastern end of Black Rock Sands, where the signed coast path differs from the OS map amid criss-crossing minor and animal tracks - care with navigation. Likely shallow stream crossings on the sands. Soft sand and flights of steps.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Reverse direction: Railwalks (inc. GPX).

Recommended: Fantastic route with amazing views. A varied landscape of hills, estuary, meadows, woodland and beach. The hills around Barmouth are steep and strenuous and with quite a few stiles along the way. Frequent buses and trains run between Harlech and Barmouth for the return. Carry your own food and drink.

Time: 6h–12h30

Lunch: Carry your own food and drink; little is available on the route.

Warnings: The hills near Barmouth are steep, and there are numerous stiles.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: Mainly an estuary walk, also passing Talsarnau.

Coastal: two thirds along the coast.

Time: 3h–6h

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: A walk via Dyffryn Ardudwy, then over a beach and wetland.

Coastal: three fifths along the coast.

Time: 3h30–7h30

Lunch: Café at Dyffryn Ardudwy midway.

Walk details: Railwalks.

A coast-path walk with clear paths throughout: easy beach walking to Penychain, a roadside path to Llanystumdwy and clear trails around farmland and over boardwalks to Criccieth. Good facilities at both the start and finish.

Coastal: three quarters along the coast.

Time: 4h30–9h30

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a fifth of the walk. Watch for spring/extreme high tides on the beach section between Pwllheli and Penychain.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Lovely section of coast path. A clearly signed coastal route following the Wales Coast Path the whole way, involving stiles and a lot of unmade dirt paths. Some parts follow roads and generally on safe pavements; the final stretch into Harlech is flat. A high tide can inundate the section at Glastraeth. Follows the well-signposted Wales Coast Path the whole way. Good facilities and public transport (bus and train) at both Porthmadog and Harlech.

Coastal: two thirds along the coast.

Time: 4h30–9h30

Warnings: Very high tides can flood the section at Glastraeth in places. Depending on whether you follow the cycle path or footpath across the Cob, there may be an awkward road crossing at the end (the cycle path avoids this). Stiles and unmade paths.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Good views. A mostly pleasant route that closely follows the narrow-gauge railway, with slopes that are never too steep and a surface fine for an average walker. It passes a reservoir, lake and forest paths, includes a couple of kilometres on a quiet paved road with a narrow verge and finishes along the Porthmadog seafront. Closely follows the Ffestiniog narrow-gauge railway. Short detour to Coedydd Maentwrog nature reserve.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 5h–10h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.