Walked by Dorothy Hamilton
WALES
5 miles/8.1km 3 hours Moderate 286m
The Great Orme, lying close to the seaside resort of Llandudno in Conwy, is a spectacular limestone headland formed during the Carboniferous era, when this part of Wales lay under the sea.
Now managed as a country park, this unspoilt landscape offers much to fascinate the family, from spotting the Kashmir goats that have roamed here for 100 years, to an ancient church, oddly shaped rocks, fossils and glorious views of the coastline on a clear winter’s day.
1 START
Keep the pier on your right and walk uphill to the Grand Hotel, where you turn left to the Happy Valley Gardens. Head uphill, noting the mosaics on the loo block depicting characters from Alice in Wonderland, as well as the wildlife of Great Orme.
You will see a White Rabbit sculpture on the hill to your right. At the top of the grassy area, walk through the botanical gardens, veering right towards a fence. Go through the gate in the top corner and emerge on a path runnning alongside the ski slope.
2 0.6 MILES
At the top of the ski slope, ignore paths on the left and follow the main path towards St Tudno’s Church. You will pass a farm and the spring Ffynnon Powell before emerging on a lane opposite the church.
The present building dates to the 12th century and is named after a 6th-century Celtic missionary who established the first church on the Orme.
3 1 MILE
Head left along the shingle beach and follow the shoreline. Don’t be fooled by what looks like a sea of bobbing herring gulls – it’s likely there are razorbills and gannets among them, putting on a show as they dive for fish.
4 1.8 MILES
At the beach car park and information point, take the raised footpath signposted for Cley Next the Sea. Wind your way back towards the town and windmill, keeping an eye out for linnets flirting among the reedbeds.
5 2.5 MILES
As the path forks, keep to the left. Go through the pedestrian gate, join
