Holyhead RFM Blue Line

 


Holyhead 
RFM Blue Line
29/08/25




I decided a nice walk around the headland starting at the RSPB centre would be a nice way to start the Ireland trip. I was staying overnight as were Peter, Christine, Mary and Les before taking the morning ferry to Ireland. My research was poor because this turned out to be quite a difficult walk but with magnificent views. The green grassy headland was actually a small rocky mountain.


A short walk down from the RSPC car park the view of the South Stack Lighthouse with the towering cliffs in the foreground was quite dramatic. Then it was up the steep well worn path to the cliff top. There were a lot of people around.


On this dry summers day the views south were wonderfully calming and the light house on the Island below me was pristine white with the walled cliff path snaking down the face of the cliff below me.



I went down the steps but didn't go onto the island as it was a paid entrance and I didn't have the time or inclination to spend time on the island, another time maybe.



From the top of the hill above the cliff I could see the North Stack and the building called Parliament House named in recognition of the similarity between politicians and the squabbling gulls that throng the cliff above the building. Pointed Welsh humour ...I like it.

Holyhead Mountain is a nice mountain, a stony wall with the path worryingly leading straight to the base.
The panoramic view across Anglesey reveals how flat the island is.



I felt better as the path veered onto the flank of the mountain. There were still a few walkers around and so far the paths had been well walked and kind to the feet. I loved the view from this angle quietly dramatic.
The sea views were no bad as well.





 
The path to the top got a little scrambly in places but was still pretty much family friendly. I was enjoying myself enormously on this warm sunny day with such views and landscape. How lucky am I.







There was a bit of a crowd on top and I chatted with a few people some Romanians, a Liverpool student and a young family. You never know who you will meet on a mountain top. Most were not hikers. I had my sandwich whilst admiring the hazy view over Holyhead.







The way down to the station at North Stack was a scramble up and down the headland over rocks and narrow cliff top paths
The views were great but the path in places rocky and steep. There were still people around but only a few and mainly hikers.


There was a coast guard excercise going on so I got some decent shots of the helicopter as it flew around the cliffs






The difficult route finally reached the station and Parliament House and I was looking forward to an easy route around the headland. It wasn't to be as the path snaked up and down the headland. Very tiring......





....but wonderful views.

The path was rocky and unforgiving slowing me to a snails pace.



I have no idea what this stone shed was but would imagine that it is a lookout of some kind.




Holyhead was now much closer and it looked like some kind of industrial heritage on the back side of the mountain. My route headed straight for the quarry.



Below me I spotted a seal on the far right tip of the Island hiding from the fishing boat, crafty beggar.
Look at the colour of that bay, just lush.



The quarry had a cafe and visitor centre with cars and more people. I nearly stopped for an icecream but decided against it. It was getting late in the afternnon and I felt I was still a long way from my car which i was as the cliff walk had been so slow to negotiate.

Climbing out of the quarry back onto the landward side of the mountain I came to my closest point to Holyhead.

The paths were now good and flat and though the route was climbing I passed rapidly along.



I was quickly circumnavigating the mountain through the heather on easy to follow paths and enjoying the new views of the face of the mountain.




Passing through the nature reserve there were a lot of swallows, I mean a lot... hundreds. 

A last look at the wonderful Holyhead Mountain in the late afternoon sun.
The way back from the quarry had been very quick and I was at the car park in no time at all. I had seen plenty of birds but the Choughs this headland is known for were conspicuous by their absence. Sea gulls, Crows, Swallows and garden birds near Holyhead but no Choughs. 
A fantastic walk and a good way to relax before the ferry tomorrow.


https://explore.osmaps.com/route/28338443/holyhead?lat=53.30816&lon=-4.67784&zoom=13.756&style=Leisure&type=2d


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