Walks you can reach from Colwyn Bay by train
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Colwyn Bay.
Prestatyn Circular via Graig Fawr (Flintshire)
15 minutes direct from Colwyn Bay.
Offa's Dyke Path up to the trig point on Graig Fawr, a National Trust limestone hill with sea views to the Great Orme, and a disused railway line.
Hilly: two fifths on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.
Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.
Graig Fawr: A National Trust limestone hill above Prestatyn with a trig point and views to the Great Orme, reached via the Offa's Dyke Path.
Time: 2h30–5h
Warnings: A sustained hillside climb with steps and steeper terrain.
Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).
Flint Circular via Flint Castle (Flintshire)
30 minutes direct from Colwyn Bay.
Hard-surfaced circuit around Flint Castle and along the Wales Coast Path with saltmarsh and Dee Estuary views across to the Wirral.
Coastal: almost all along the coast.
Woodland: half under tree cover.
Flint Castle: The earliest of Edward I's Welsh castles, distinctive for its great detached tower; began the chain of English-built fortresses in Wales.
Flintshire Guardian: Three-metre-tall sculpture at Flint Point looking out across the Dee Estuary toward Hilbre Island.
Dee Estuary: Wide tidal estuary on the North Wales/Wirral border, fringed with saltmarsh and rich in birdlife.
Time: 1h30–3h
Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).
Rhosneigr Circular via Rhosneigr Beach and Dunes (Anglesey)
1 hour direct from Colwyn Bay.
Pavement route into Rhosneigr village then along the beach and dunes, returning by a similar route.
Coastal: three quarters along the coast.
Rhosneigr Clock Tower: Village centre landmark surrounded by shops and cafés.
Rhosneigr Beach and Dunes: Wide Anglesey beach backed by sand dunes with multiple criss-crossing paths.
Time: 1h30–3h
Warnings: Follows a busy road for a third of the walk.
Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).
Bangor Circular (Caernarfonshire)
30 minutes direct from Colwyn Bay.
Pavement and tarmac route from Bangor station to Bangor Pier, passing the University of Bangor with views across the Menai Strait.
Coastal: three fifths along the coast.
The Menai Strait: Tidal strait between mainland Wales and Anglesey, with scenic views from the route.
University of Bangor: Welsh university whose halls of accommodation are passed on the walk.
Bangor Pier: A Grade II listed Victorian pier reaching out into the Menai Strait, with views across to Anglesey. A small entry fee applies for adults.
Time: 1h30–3h30
Warnings: A fifth urban.
Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).
Conwy to Llandudno (Caernarfonshire)
15 minutes direct from Colwyn Bay.
Recommended
Walk details: Railwalks.
Llanfairfechan to Penmaenmawr (Caernarfonshire)
30 minutes direct from Colwyn Bay.
Recommended: An utterly gorgeous route; the views of the coast at either end were excellent. An inland alternative to the coastal route that climbs steadily to around 340m and back down, with no difficult scrambles. The middle third crosses moorland on clear and signposted paths and is fairly level. Excellent coastal views at either end. One very short boggy section soon after the descent begins. Semi-wild ponies graze on the moorland, and there is birdlife including buzzards.
Hilly: half on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.
Time: 2h30–5h
Warnings: There are several junctions across the moorland that need careful navigation.
Walk details: Railwalks.
Prestatyn to Flint (Flintshire)
15 minutes direct from Colwyn Bay.
Coast path — North Wales Path.
Walk details: Railwalks.
Conwy to Llanrwst (Caernarfonshire)
15 minutes direct from Colwyn Bay.
Penmaenmawr to Llanrwst (Caernarfonshire)
15 minutes direct from Colwyn Bay.
Penmaenmawr to Conwy (Caernarfonshire)
15 minutes direct from Colwyn Bay.
The scenery is magnificent. A peaceful route mostly away from traffic that climbs three-quarters of the way up Conwy Mountain on a stony track, with uneven and muddy paths and magnificent views. There is a fair amount of walking on roads without pavements, mostly quiet or in 30mph zones and the ascent and descent are not too steep. Overlaps slightly with the Wales Coast Path High-Level Route. Regular daily trains and buses link Conwy and Penmaenmawr. The Sychnant Pass is a highlight.
Time: 2h–4h30
Warnings: Some roads have no pavement; mostly quiet but stay alert. The bridge over the railway near Conwy is narrow with no pavement, so wait for a gap in the traffic. Higher paths through the heather can be narrow and uncomfortable. Can be muddy.
Walk details: Railwalks.
Llanfairfechan to Llanrwst (Caernarfonshire)
30 minutes direct from Colwyn Bay.
Bangor to Llanfairfechan (Caernarfonshire)
30 minutes direct from Colwyn Bay.
The views are spectacular. A walk of two contrasting halves: a steep, sometimes stony climb up and over Bangor Mountain on lanes and footpaths through the town, then a long, generally well-maintained coastal section on the Wales Coast Path with stretches of pebbles and sand and sea-eroded path. Involves steep sections and quite a lot of rough ground. Second half follows the Wales Coast Path. Views to Anglesey, Puffin Island, the Great Orme and Penmaenmawr; hides indicate plentiful wildlife. No facilities on the coastal section.
Coastal: three fifths along the coast.
Time: 4h–8h
Lunch: The Slate pub just off route near Llandegai is the last chance for refreshments before Llanfairfechan; no facilities along the coastal section.
Warnings: Steep climbs and a fair amount of rough ground. Cross the A5 with care. Coastal path crosses a shingle beach and eroded sections; not advisable during very high spring tides with strong onshore winds.
Walk details: Railwalks.