If you thought there were no fantastic hikes in North Wales outside of Snowdonia, think again. Weaving through the mountains of Snowdonia, including Mount Snowdon itself, will get you to the cathedral city of Bangor. Bangor guards the island of Anglesey, sitting as a connecting stopover between the island and Snowdonia. However, it also includes many opportunities to go on a beautiful hike. These Bangor walks are well worth grabbing your hiking boots.
There are plenty of hiking trails in and around Bangor, including trails with views overlooking Anglesey and the Snowdonia mountains. Need more convincing? Then read the ten walks below for some top tier inspiration on the best walks in Bangor.
Bangor Mountain Trail
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Distance: Less than 1 mile
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Time: 10 minutes
Starting short and sweet, this route will take walkers up to the top. Once this mission has been accomplished, a birdseye view can be seen overlooking Bangor. Those who observe this view can also make out Anglesey in the distance and the Menai Strait.
There are two options available in which to begin this route. It can start either on Bishops Mill Road, which rapidly narrows into a public footpath, or Ger Y Mynydd Road. This second option involves a few steps to climb and a simple path leading to the top.
Families and dog walkers will also love this very short route, and it is very difficult to get lost on it.
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Bangor Roman Camp Trail
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Distance: 1.4 miles
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Time: 40 minutes
At the northern point of Bangor lies its Roman Camp, which has existed since 12th century Britain. With four entrances, those walking this route have a broader selection of places to begin their historical walk. These entrances include Upper Garth Road or the Ffordd Siliwen main road.
The name of this camp is known to be misleading, as according to legend, it was actually used by the Normans. This would have been used to watch for enemy advances coming in from miles away on all sides. Centuries later, a wildlife haven formed around this camp, attracting the locals to stroll in the area.
Views that can be seen here include views of Bangor itself, its cathedral, Anglesey, and even the nearby Bangor Pier.
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Penrhyn Castle Nature Walk
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Distance: 1 mile
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Time: 30 minutes
Penrhyn Castle is a National Trust property located east of Bangor, just a ten-minute drive from the town centre. It also boasts its own nature trail, which beautifully surrounds the castle. Trees of many varieties can also be found on this route, including chestnut and oak trees.
Starting from the castle’s car park, the trail proceeds to complete a circle around the castle. The opportunity to spot wildlife and teach kids the different tree & flower types is available here as you stroll around the castle. You can even spot international kinds of flowers in one Walled Garden at this castle.
After finishing this trail, why not explore the castle before returning to Bangor? It is, after all, good to educate yourself and the kids.
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Bangor Beach Walk
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Distance: Less than 1 mile
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Time: 20 minutes
Bangor Beach may look different from Miami Beach. However, the promenade overlooking this beach is suitable for a short relaxing stroll. This will give the best view of the entire beach at Bangor, and there are a small number of benches nearby should you wish to sit down for a few minutes.
If you want a longer stroll along the beach line, you can head up Y Bae Road to reach a small path. Emerging from the other side onto Glandwr Road, a right turn will guide walkers toward Bangor’s Garth Pier. This will give you a close-up view of Anglesey, which looks like a stone’s throw away from the pier.
For the more experienced walker, the option to walk the coastal path from Llanfairfechan to the Menai Bridge is also there. This also covers Bangor Beach and is perfect should any walker on this route want to add more adventure.
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Bangor to Bethesda
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Distance: 6.3 miles
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Time: 3-4 hours
Anyone who has had enough of Bangor Beach and wishes to head more inland can take this route to Bethesda. This is a walk that can be completed by taking the first stage of the Snowdonia Slate Trail. This means those who wish to go on from Bethesda can do this while exploring more of Snowdonia.
Many points of interest will be present on this route, including Penrhyn Castle, Cochwillan Mill, and Llanllechid Church. On the side of these places, it will also include minor roads, which those taking this route will need to walk along. The reward for doing this is the incredible views from the mountainside, which walkers on this route cross.
There will then be a drop-down that can be taken to reach the final destination, Bethesda. This is a perfect place to stop for a coffee before returning to Bangor.
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Folly Tower Loop from Bangor
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Distance: 11 miles
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Time: 4 hours 44 minutes
On this walk, a stroll under the two main bridges linking Anglesey to mainland north-west Wales can be taken. You could even compare the two bridges and determine which one is the bigger of the two. As well as this, you can walk along the coastline from Bangor towards Folly Tower while feeling like you are walking in woodland.
On the way to Folly Tower, walkers will also pass a seating area that is entirely covered by sticks and wood. It provides another fantastic view of the Menai Strait and can be an excellent point to stop for a snack or lunch. Walkers can become submerged in another one of the woodlands outside Bangor and emerge victorious on the other side.
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Caernarfon Coastal Circular
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Distance: 4.5 miles
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Time: 1 hour 39 minutes
Less than 10 miles away from Bangor is the royal town of Caernarfon. If anyone is wondering what walks could be in or around this town, then wonder no more. A route circles Caernarfon while giving views of the coastline towards Anglesey. Walkers could even walk along Caernarfon’s Beach at low tide, which will look even better during the sunset.
This route involves walking alongside some Welsh Highland Railway tracks passing Caernarfon by. Any lazy person could just choose to train it, but to make the most of it, it is worth walking the parallel trail. Any train fans may be lucky to witness a train chugging passed them to make up for not getting this train.
Once you have completed this route, exploring Caernarfon itself will be very rewarding. Especially given that it has a fascinating castle overlooking the coastline.
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Aber Falls Loop from Abergwyngregyn
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Distance: 7.08 miles
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Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
To add to the beauty that the Bangor walks can provide, there is a waterfall walk just 8 miles outside Bangor. It starts in the village of Abergwyngregyn, and half a mile into the hike, Aber Falls begins to show itself. It is a very popular waterfall that is visited throughout the year, even though it is on the outskirts of Snowdonia. With this in mind, it will be worth getting up early to embark on this route.
Also on this route is a beautiful viewpoint overlooking Puffin Island, northeast of Anglesey. Boat trips to this island are possible should walkers wish to learn more about it after hiking this route. Returning to the walk’s starting point, views of the Traeth Lafan Nature Reserve are also visible.
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Beaumaris Castle Loop
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Distance: 6.63 miles
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Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Let’s head over to the opposite side of the Menai Strait and explore this walking route in Anglesey. This excellent route is a 20-minute from Bangor and starts very close to the historic Beaumaris Castle. Other points of interest from this castle include the Beaumaris Pier, which gives walkers a dramatic view of mainland Wales. Those with sharp eyes may even be able to see over towards Bangor itself.
If walkers don’t get to see Bangor in the distance, then they will be coming across a viewpoint of Beaumaris town anyway. This also includes the Bay of Beaumaris, which again has that dramatic touch to it.
There’s also Henllys Hall, which can be reached just before the final leg of the hike. Those walking this route can then observe some of the wildlife while completing this last leg back in Beaumaris.
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Menai Suspension Bridge Loop
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Distance: 4.95 miles
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Time: 2 hours 7 minutes
Rounding off our list of Bangor walks, this other loop also covers both bridges linking Anglesey to the mainland. Beginning from a local Park & Ride, the route immediately heads toward both the Menai Suspension Bridge and the Britannia Bridge.
Many viewpoints looking at these bridges are on this trail, and a view of a lesser-known island called Church Island. This island is linked to Anglesey by just a small bridge, with its main attraction being a 15th-century church. It’s a point of interest worth looking at, especially if it’s Remembrance Sunday and you need two minutes to remember the fallen.
Once again, walkers with eagle eyes can spot Bangor in the distance while on this walk.
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Conclusion… Best Bangor Walks
So this is where the evidence ends. As you can see there are some beautiful walks to be embarked on – even on the other side of Snowdonia. Many of these Bangor walks provide great views, some of which look from the coastline to Anglesey across the Menai Strait.
After taking a walk either in or around Bangor, walkers will definitely want to extend their stay. Bangor has many obscure points of interest; don’t limit yourself to hiking just one trail. So if you’re going to experience this natural beauty for yourself, drive through Snowdonia and instead visit beautiful Bangor for some wonderful walks.
By Louie Amos
Louie Amos is a freelance travel writer currently operating in the UK. Having achieved his BCJ Diploma in Travel Journalism, he regularly posts articles on his website The Travelling Foodie, as well as Everything UK Travel