Route: Great Orme
Area: North Wales
Date of walk: 19th September 2021
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 3.7 miles
Ascent: 600 feet
Weather: Sunny
After this morning’s walk to Aber Falls and in view of improving weather we decided to set off on another walk in the area. We drove over to the Great Orme, a distinctive limestone headland which rises to 680 feet above the elegant resort of Llandudno. We parked in the Great Orme Country Park which in truth is a rather unsightly tourist complex, but is well placed as the starting point for a walk, with tempting paths radiating away from it in all directions. Whichever path is taken, the crowds are soon left behind
Instead of driving here, interest could be added by parking in Llandudno and taking the Great Orme tramway to the same spot. Opened in 1902, this is Britain’s only funicular, or cable-hauled, tramway that travels on public roads
We followed a path beside the road which we’d driven up and passed by the Great Orme Mines, the oldest known metal working site in Britain. We didn’t have enough time to detour to the mines, so continued past them before changing direction and crossing the tramway to head towards St Tudno’s Church, set in a wonderful position with views out to sea
Beyond the church we joined a path beside a dry stone wall which encloses the estate of Parc Farm, owned by the National Trust. The wall was our constant companion for the remainder of the walk. The final section proved to be the finest of all, with magnificent views along the limestone pavement across the Conwy Estuary to Conwy town. Eventually the wall turned uphill back to the visitor centre and we followed it back to end a superb walk. Later in the week we’d explore Little Orme, a smaller limestone headland on the other side of Llandudno Bay. Click here for that walk
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We parked at the Great Orme Summit Complex, which started as a telegraph station in 1840 to transmit signals from Liverpool to Holyhead. It's a busy place, but the crowds are soon left behind
We follow the road downhill, with the tramway track beside us at first
The Great Orme Tram passes by - this would be a good way to get to the start of the walk. It runs continuously from 10am to 6pm from March to October
The Tramway was opened in 1903 and carries over 160,000 passengers a year
We leave the road and follow a track towards the sea
We follow the sign pointing to St Tudno's Church...
St Tudno's Church, on a site of Christian worship since the 6th century
A short road section as we pass above the cemetery...
We arrive at the limestone boundary wall of Parc Farm, owned by the National Trust
The wall will be our companion for the remainder of the walk
Looking across to the Summit Complex
The best section of the walk as we are greeted by wonderful views over Conwy
Anglesey and Puffin Island in the distance
More views of Conwy from the limestone headland...
We head towards the summit Complex, top left
Gogarth below
Looking back along Parc Farm wall
Another view back as we climb back up to the Summit Complex
The Great Orme Tramway passes by again as we arrive back at the start
