News

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)

08.03.22 - Because of a landslip on the Coastal Path near Porth Colmon on the Llyn Peninsula between Tudweiliog and Porth O'er, we encourage the use of the alternative route through Llangwnnadl which avoids the area in question. This is detailed on the Routes Page (No. 24 Towyn to Porth O'er, 'For those who wish to visit the church at Llangwnnadl'). Details are also found in the official guide.

Alternatively, if you want to stay on the coastal path you need to understand that it's the steps from Traeth Penllech that have been badly effected by a landslip. Therefore, the only way off the beach is either to use the path off the beach before these damaged steps and to access a lane by a car park and then make your way along the lanes to Porth Colmon and rejoin it there, or at low tide make your way along the beach to the next inlet and use the steps there to get on the higher ground.

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