Anglesey (Ynys Mon) Druids Way – Caernarfon to Holyhead – 80 miles, 7 days

A pilgrimage to heal the massacre of the druids on Anglesey by the Romans in the 1st Century AD. This route tracks the journey from the strategically-positioned Roman stronghold of Caernarfon Fort to Caer y Tawr, the mountain top of Holyhead, the holiest place in prehistoric druidic culture.

Most of the journey is spent hugging the coast of the Isle of Anglesey, an island that uncannily feels like a world unto itself. The route’s coastline is astonishing with its crashing waves and silent pools, remote ruined island chapels sometimes cut off by the tide, and holy immersion wells on the edge of cliffs. Inland there are prehistoric chambered cairns like Bryn Celli Ddu and Barcoldiad y Gawres that have the feeling of extreme ancientness, standing stones that are many times taller than you, and the Giant’s stepping stones of Rhuddgaer with views opening out onto the sort of elegiac landscape that you become almost used to on this pilgrimage.

The crown of the journey, the Holy Mountain, gives perspective on where you have come from, before descending to St Cybi’s Church in Holyhead. Then the journey home… you will almost certainly feel different to how you arrived.

Highlights

  • Stepping into an island mentality (in a good way)
  • High concentration of pre-Christian holy places
  • Magical tidal island churches
  • Discover your old primal self

Holy Places along route listed in our book Britain’s Pilgrim Places: Llanddwyn Island; Holyhead/Caergybi.

Low-cost hostels along route – Caernarfon and two, Holyhead one and two and across region (more accommodation options on map).

Route devised by William Parsons and the British Pilgrimage Trust.

St Cybi’s, Holyhead
St Cybi’s, Holyhead
Heart of St Cybi’s, Holyhead

Show more +

Route highlights

1
2
3
4
5
6
/6

Location

Nearby Sanctuaries
No items found.

Discover local food

We know that pilgrims get hungry!

Once you have decided on which pilgrimage route you want to walk, we thought you might like to use our Local Food Map.

Learn more

Comments

0 Comments

Login or register to join the conversation.

Be the first to leave a comment.

Tom Jones

Moderator

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

(Edited)
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Tom Jones

Moderator

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

(Edited)
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Already walked this route?

Mark as completed
Mark as completed
Rate this route
5.0
Give feedback on this route

Discover holy places, and bring your own beliefs.

Pilgrimage by foot is connected with places and landscape, and how those places make you feel. Read about holy places.

At the British Pilgrimage Trust, we believe a pilgrimage should be made on an individual’s own terms. We are founded on the principle that we can all bring our own beliefs to the journey, accessible and welcoming to all.

Get Started

All great journeys begin with a single step

Start your Journey
65e8e95a8e6fb136d3e93f5e
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.