News

21.07.25 Pilgrimage Development Project Lead
We are looking for someone to join us to explore the enormous potential of the North Wales Pilgrims Way (Camino Cymru) focusing on the areas in the Diocese of St Asaph.
Location: The Diocesan Office, St Asaph, with flexible working
Hours: 21 hours per week - Fixed term contract for 2 years from date of appointment
Salary: £29,000 (£19,300 pro rota)
Closing date: Thursday 21 August, 12 noon.
Interview date: Wednesday 27 August.
To apply: Please email your CV and a covering letter detailing how you meet the criteria for the role to Pamela Vernon at Pamelavernon@cinw.org.uk.
Job Description (PDF)

21.07.25 Plans to develop the North Wales Pilgrims Way
Plans to develop the North Wales Pilgrims Way, known as “The Welsh Camino”, have been given a significant boost with the awarding of a £78,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
A Pilgrimage Development Project Lead will be appointed to explore the potential for growth in the number of people walking the 130-mile route, which passes historic churches, sacred wells and ancient places of spiritual significance.
The new role will look at how the infrastructure along the route can be improved to provide suitable pilgrim accommodation, better transport links and investment to promote Welsh language, culture and heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage.
See more:- https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/jobs/pilgrimage-development-lead/

16.07.25 - Fallen Trees
Ref:- Guide Book page 29 Point 13
The footpath to Llangernyw through Hafodunos Hall Gardens has been obstructed by fallen trees. These can be avoided by continuing along the lane (see map) to the main road and to walk along the pavement to the village of Llangernyw

04.07.25 - Tremeirchion Footpath Closures
Sections of the Trail in this area are going to be closed for work on the Power Lines. The closure affects the route after St Beuno's College. The section closed is from the lane at Ysgubor at Grid Ref SJ 0834 7384. (see Page 20 in the Guide Book). When the work starts a signposted and waymarked route will be in place.

Please note that this diversion does not go through the village of Tremeirchion.

The work has not yet started and the diverted route will be in place before work commences. Hopefully the work will only take a few weeks.

29.01.25 REGARDING THE ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE
We have very much enjoyed the company of those who have joined us over the years, but due to logistical reasons we are no longer able to offer our annual guided pilgrimage. However, it will continue to be open for walking by individuals or groups right through the year.

The North Wales Pilgrim’s Way is now well established, fully waymarked, and is on the OS map. We are delighted that more and more people are walking it, either in one go, or in sections.

We will continue to maintain the NWPW, to keep the website updated and our Facebook page open.

We hope that walkers/ trekkers and pilgrims will continue to enjoy this wonderful route!

10.10.24 - The pilgrim stamp that was situated in Penygroes will now be re-sited in a box at a lych gate of the Woollen Mill (Self Catering), half a mile beyond Penygroes on the route as you cross the river Llyfni which will provide a nice dry place to stamp one’s passport. Also available at St Beuno’s church in Clynnog Fawr.

05.08.2024 - St Asaph Diocese made a short but succinct video of #Pilgrimage 2024 which you can view by following the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzOwtrOtFYY

23.03.2024 - The Pilgrimage: the Road through North Wales.
On the 29th March (Good Friday) BBC2 featured the Pilgrims Way on their 'Pilgrimage' series. This was followed by 2 further episodes, all now available on iPlayer if you missed it. Filming took place last September in good weather and the Celebs' & crew were guided & advised by our volunteers. The celebrities include Christine McGuinness, Spencer Matthews, Amanda Lovett, Eshaan Akbar, Sonali Shan, Michaela Strachan & Tom Rosenthal. It is definitely worth a watch.

14.07.23 - We have decided to mark the 10th anniversary by putting a bench at the halfway point – but the exact halfway point is just alongside Aber Falls. There are benches there already, and so we felt it would be best to place it at the top of the long climb beyond Aber, at the site of a previous bench. A natural resting point for a weary walker, with extraordinarily beautiful views.

The bench was duly made by members of the team using local oak. The problem then arose of how to get the heavy bench up the mountainside! We contacted the University Farm and Research station at Henfaes, and Mark Hughes came to our rescue. The bench was brought on a trailer from St Asaph, and Mark took the trailer by tractor up the steep access track to the top of the hill and to its destination. There then followed an enjoyable couple of hours digging out the remains of the previous bench, laying the specially made concrete blocks level, and bolting the bench in place.

It proved an educational event also, as Mark patiently answered our many questions about farming, weather, ecology, history, geography and balancing tourism with farming. The bench seemed to cope with five people with ease, and the first walkers to use it were, appropriately, a local couple with two dogs. Let’s hope it will provide a good resting place for many walkers in the years to come.

Our thanks to the University farm for allowing us to site the bench on their land and to Mark for his great help with the project. Diolch yn fawr iawn!

03.06.22 - We have just released the second volume of our circular walks based on the Pilgrims Way 'The North Wales Pilgrims Way: 16 Circular Walks on the Welsh Camino between Rowen and Aberdaron'
North Wales Pilgrim's Way between Rowen and Aberdaron (2022)

21.02.22. - We have just released a new guide 'The North Wales Pilgrims Way: 16 Circular Walks on the Welsh Camino between Holywell and Rowen'
This is the first of 2 volumes covering the length of the Pilgrims Way.
North Wales Pilgrim's Way Guide (2022)

07.06.2021 - The Pilgrims Way Completion Certificates are now available in the National Trust Visitor Centre at Porth y Swnt, Aberdaron. They include all the stamps around the edge of the certificate and come with a cardboard backed envelope. Cost is only £2 of which £1 is donated to the National Trust.

28.05.2021 - Some of the hospitality venues and transport options across the route are only slowly finding their feet again after the Covid-19 restrictions so early contact with them is advised before setting out on the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way. Although most restrictions will be eased from now on the Welsh or UK governments may re-impose some constraints either locally or nationally if new variants show signs of taking hold, so please take note of any future announcements. Hospitality venues are only too keen to be able to offer accommodation and bookings are expected to be heavy and our advice is to book two or three base sites across the route as most places will not accept a single night’s booking as it may block a potential longer stay”.

29.06.16 - There is now a folder in St Hywyn’s Church, Aberdaron, for pilgrims to record their journey along the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way. You will find the book on the pilgrim table which is beyond the bookstall on the left. We would be so grateful if you could please sign it – Thank you.

14.12.15 - Artists and pilgrimage
Claire Henderson Davis is a theologian/dancer/choreographer whose “Passion” was performed at Ely Cathedral and the Edinburgh Festival. She is currently artist in residence at Chester Cathedral and will be working with young people on the concept of pilgrimage over the next couple of years, culminating with walking the North Wales Pilgrim’s way.
Artist Angela Davies has been working on pilgrimage with circular walks followed by creative workshops on “mapping journeys” as part of her residency at St Asaph Cathedral. She continues to develop these themes. Check out both these artists on their websites:
www.angeladaviesartist.co.uk
www.clairehendersondavis.com

The North Wales Pilgrim’s Passport Project
Following the early Celtic Saints, pilgrims have for centuries walked the pathways of north Wales towards the holy island of Bardsey. It is difficult to know where exactly the original paths lay but today it’s possible to travel on a newly established North Wales Pilgrim’s Way. This is a long distance footpath along north Wales from Basingwerk Abbey near Holywell to Aberdaron passing through some of the most beautiful scenery in Wales... more details
Photos - click here