Distance: 5.2 miles

Max Altitude: 176 m

Min Altitude: 32 m

Height Gain: 273 m

Height Loss: 259 m

It was another rough night on Ynys Môn. Persistent rain drummed down on Clark Tent and I barely slept. I awoke bleary eyed which turned into a state of crankiness a few minutes later.

The saving grace was the wonderful Caffi’r Parc, where I had breakfast and plenty of coffee. 

As ever I was having signal issues and was unable to upload the blog from yesterday, so I decided to look around.

I was in a country park that at one point was an old quarry which supplied stone for the 1.5 mile long Holyhead Breakwater, the longest in Europe. 

https://instagram.com/p/BIdl4_7hS2I/

There’s a memorial in the park to the crew of the ‘Jigs Up’, a US Eighth Airforce B-24 Bomber, who died when their aircraft crashed near Ynys Arw (North Stack) after running out of fuel in December 1944. 

If you’re at the country park, do pop in to the visitors’ centre and ask for Will Stewart, the warden. I spent ages chatting with him and he has a wealth of knowledge about the local area. 

When I eventually left for my walk it was early afternoon and I decided to make it a short day. It had been a late night the day before so I thought what the heck. 

What lay ahead was Mynydd Tŵr (Holyhead Mountain). But with blue skies above me I couldn’t wait to get started. There couldn’t possibly be a better day than this to tackle this stretch of the Wales Coast Path. 

I was stunned by the beauty surrounding me. I felt alive.

It was raw and rugged. Everywhere I looked there was something of interest, something to contemplate.

Up ahead was Ynys Arw (North Stack). This is the site of a redundant fog warning station, including the Trinity House Magazine, where shells for the warning cannon were stored. 

What a location! And what magnificent views of Ynys Lawd (South Stack), where I was headed next.

It was time to ascend. 

I climbed up rocks and crag. It wasn’t too dissimilar to the Inca Trail underfoot in places, with huge bits of rock carved into chunky steps.

It was pretty tough going, but I was constantly rewarded with the most awesome views so felt great despite my aching calves. 

I didn’t make for the summit of Mynydd Tŵr (Holyhead Mountain). It is a reason for me to return to this incredible spot another time. 

I spotted a group of climbers ascending a face near me. What an exhilarating location to climb.

And then the best view of all, Ynys Lawd (South Stack).

I sat and took it all in for a while. I decided against actually visiting the lighthouse. All the more reason to return.

After that it was a simple walk to camp for the night. Blackthorn Farm had generously offered me a free pitch for the evening, thanks to Terry who had rung ahead for me. 

I set Clark Tent up happily. It had been one of the best days so far.