THE WELSH CAMINO Ned’s NWPW ReviewHistory of the RouteCenturies ago people from all over the UK walked to Bardsey Island as a pilgrimage. The church decreed that three walks to Bardsey was equivalent to walking to Rome and thus guaranteed sainthood. Also, people believed that sainthood could be achieved by being buried on the island so went there “to die”. It is said that 20,000 saints are buried on Bardsey.Recent Developments by the NWPW CommitteeOver the last few years the NWPW committee have planned and promoted a route from Holywell to Aberdaron recreating the old custom of pilgrimage. The route takes in many historic churches, holy wells etc providing a walk that genuinely feels like the “Welsh Camino”!See their website for lots of useful information - https://pilgrims-way-north-wales.org/They also have a FB page for sharing “news” - https://www.facebook.com/northwalespilgrimswayThere is a Pilgrim’s Passport and there are places that will provide a stamp for you to give you another feeling of walking a Camino!Planning your walkThe walk is approximately 140 miles – it is not a straight line from start to finish!The guidebook suggests walking over 13 days with about 10 miles walking per dayThe key thing with planning your walk is organising accommodation – I initially found this tricky and decided to put my start date back a week to make it easier. I also had the advantage of my wife who was willing to drive our motorhome to meet me on occasions! A very modern pilgrim!If you are walking as a group, one location can be used for several nights and cars used to shuttle back and forth. In some areas local public transport can be used to assist with this.The directions in the guidebook are generally very good and the NWPW signage is also goodDownloading the .gpx file for digital mapping is useful for 1 or 2 tricky places(Yes – I did lose my way once or twice / could be directions or could be me?)Overview of the paths and places of interestThe walk takes in a great variety of different terrain and lots of places of interest. I was surprised that when walking so close to the busy A55 you could be in such peaceful, quiet places.The paths covered farmers’ fields, country lanes, coastal cliffs, woods and forests, hills and dales. Even a coffin trail! There is some uphill and the guide provides details of ascent.There are many churches, chapels, holy wells, abbeys and a couple of cathedrals to visit. (Sadly, many closed on my walk) Plus waterfalls, old quarries, fabulous beaches, a mountain, a couple of castles and the Welsh Language School to visit.I walked in good weather and there were still 1 or 2 muddy bits – be warned. Some paths were little used and overgrown in places. You might need to search for the signs!The boat trip to Bardsey is an option I guess – but highly recommended! My itineraryThursday September 10thDrive motorhome to Pantasaph. Taxi to Basingwerk Abbey. Walk first 3 miles.Friday September 11thWalk from Pantasaph to Wern Ddu – 15 milesStaying at The Farmers Arms. 01745 582190. Pete / ElaineSaturday September 12thWalk from Wern Ddu to Cleiriach – 17 milesStaying in motorhome in farmyard. Katy also has camping pods.Sunday September 13thWalk from Cleiriach to Eglwybach – 18 milesStaying in motorhome in pub car park – The Bee. Mark 01492 650291Monday September 14thWalk from Eglyswybach to Abergwybgregyn – 14 milesGet No. 5 bus to BangorStay in Bangor at Bay Tree B & B Stephanie - 01248 362230Tuesday September 15thGet bus from Bangor back to Abergwyn.Walk from Abergwyn to Bangor – 12 miles. Stay at Bay Tree again.Wednesday September 16thWalk from Bangor to Lanberis – 11 milesGet 88 bus to LLanrug – stay in motorhome. Get off bus at Seiont Manor HotelLast bus 16:45 (??). www.travelline.cymruThursday September 17thGet 88 bus from Llanrug back to Llanberis. 08:29 CHECKWalk from Llanberis to Penygroes – 12 milesGet bus from Penygroes to Caernarfon – 1R. 16:39Then 88 bus from Caernarfon to Llanrug – 17:15. Staying in motorhome.Friday September 18thGet 88 bus from Llanrug to Caernarfon – 08:24. / Get 1N bus from Caernarfon to Penygroes – 9:15.Walk from Penygroes to Nantgwylthen – 13 milesStay at Welsh Language Centre B&B Saturday September 19thWalk from Nantgwylthen to Tudweiliog – 12 milesStay in motorhome – Towyn Camping.Sunday September 20thWalk from Tudweiliog to Aberdaron – 12 milesStay in motorhomeMonday September 21st Last mile of walk and boat to Bardsey IslandColin Evans 07971 769895Further InformationI have posted a few more details for each day and a few photographs on Facebook.On my page / Ultreia Mancunia / NWPW page / CSJ / British PilgrimageI am more than happy to answer any questions from people planning to walkI need to do it another two times??There are daily updates plus photos on the CSJ UK Members FB page Manage Cookie Preferences