Journeys 2027
North Wales Pilgrim's Way 2027
Date
Saturday 17th - Saturday 24th July
Nights
7
Cost
£1250
Description
The beautiful North Wales Pilgrim's Way winds through fields and valleys, beside rivers and waterfalls, over hills and through some of the loveliest countryside in North Wales. Beginning at Basingwerk Abbey, near Holywell in Flintshire, the full route stretches westwards to Bardsey Island, off the Llŷn Peninsula, the legendary “Island of 20,000 Saints.” On this pilgrimage we will walk selected highlights from the first half of the Pilgrim’s Way, finishing at Bangor Cathedral in Gwynedd, a journey of approximately 63 miles. Some of the route we will walk has been featured on the BBC Television programme “Pilgrimage - The Road Through North Wales” first broadcast in 2024 and currently being broadcast again at the end of September 2026. (Available in the UK on BBC iplayer) and here are some clips from the programme
Along the way we will visit ancient abbeys and churches, holy wells and waterfalls, walking through beautiful and sometimes challenging undulating countryside. National Geographic has described the route as offering “a deep calm for the soul”, a lovely description of a pilgrimage which gives us opportunities not only to walk, but also to pause, reflect and simply be.
For centuries, pilgrims journeyed along this ancient route towards Bardsey. In time, however, the path fell into disuse and was largely forgotten. It was revived in 2011 by a group of pilgrims within the Diocese of St Asaph, who continue to walk the route each year and help to maintain and preserve it for those who follow.
A note about the walking
Although there is a shorter walk at the beginning of our pilgrimage, most of our walking days will average around 11 miles over undulating terrain. There are numerous stiles along the route, and not all are ladder stiles, while the ground underfoot can sometimes be muddy, uneven or rough. It is important that you are fit enough to walk up to 12 miles a day over six or seven hours and are confident walking over varied terrain. The walks are all subject to weather conditions, and may be altered at the discretion of the Leaders.
An official Pilgrim’s Passport is available and, for those who wish, we will collect stamps along the way from the churches and sacred places we visit, making a lovely record of our journey.
Walks and Excursions
Our Pilgrimage
Day 1: Basingwerk Abbey to Maen Achwyfan
7 to 8 miles of easy to moderate walking
Our pilgrimage begins among the atmospheric ruins of Basingwerk Abbey, where we will gather for a reflection and have time to explore. This Cistercian abbey once offered hospitality to pilgrims making their way towards Bardsey Island, making it a particularly fitting place for us to begin our own journey. Here we can also collect our first pilgrim stamp. From the abbey we walk through the nearby glen to St Winifred’s Well at Holywell. There will be an opportunity for those who wish to bathe in the waters of the well, or to spend a little time in this ancient place and “simply be”.
Leaving Holywell, our route takes us mainly uphill through lanes and fields to Pantasaph Friary and Church. Once a Franciscan friary, the site is now a Divine Vincentian retreat centre. From Pantasaph we follow Monastery Road towards the village of Lloc before continuing through woodland and along quiet country lanes to Maen Achwyfan. Here an extraordinary ancient stone cross, thought to date from around the 10th century, marks the end of our first day’s pilgrimage.
Day 2: Trelawnyd to St Asaph Cathedral
12 miles of moderate walking
Beginning in the village of Trelawnyd in Flintshire, we cross fields and lanes before passing over the A55 and walk around a private airfield. A short climb then takes us onto part of Moel Maefa, where our efforts are rewarded as the landscape opens before us, with views towards the coast and the Vale of Clwyd. After descending from the hill, we briefly join the Offa’s Dyke Path behind St Beuno’s Spirituality Centre. Crossing a stream, we continue through fields and climb towards the village of Tremeirchion in Denbighshire. Here we visit the parish church of Corpus Christi, believed to be the only medieval church in Britain dedicated to Corpus Christi. Within its churchyard stands a 14th-century healing cross. Next door, the community-run Salisbury Arms provides a welcome opportunity for refreshments.
Our pilgrimage continues along country lanes and across more undulating fields until we reach St Asaph Cathedral, which stands on a sacred site where Christian prayer has been offered for some 1,450 years. It is a wonderfully fitting place to end our second day.
Day 3: Cefn Meiriadog to Llansannan
10.5 miles of moderate walking
Another beautiful and undulating day begins at the Church of St Mary, approximately 2.5 miles west of St Asaph Cathedral. Standing proudly on a hill overlooking the hamlet of Cefnmeiriadog, this peaceful church offers pilgrims “shelter, rest and time to wonder.” The present church was consecrated by the Bishop of St Asaph in 1864 and remains a living place of worship, with monthly services still held there today.
From St Mary’s we make our way through a changing landscape of quiet country lanes, fields and farms, crossing bridges and negotiating the hills and stiles that are such a feature of this pilgrimage. Eventually the path begins its descent towards Llansannan. We enter the village close to the River Aled and finish our day at the parish church, where there will be time to pause after another rewarding day on the road.
Day 4. Llangernyw to Rowen via Eglwysbach
11.5 miles of moderate walking
We begin at the Church of St Digain in the small village of Llangernyw, the foundations of which are thought to date back to the 13th century. The church informs us that worship on this site dates back to the 5th century. The churchyard is home to the remarkable Llangernyw Yew, thought to be around 4,000 years old. Standing beside something that has lived through so many centuries provides a rather extraordinary beginning to our day.
From Llangernyw we once again follow country lanes and paths across fields, climbing and descending through the North Wales countryside until we reach Eglwysbach, which means small church. Here, the Church of St Martin of Tours provides an ideal place to stop for lunch. Afterwards we continue along country lanes and cross the Glanconwy River before the path begins to climb once more. Fields, farms and quiet lanes then carry us onwards towards the pretty village of Rowen, where our day’s pilgrimage ends.
Day 5. Rowen to Llanfairfechan
8 miles of moderate to difficult walking
Our penultimate day brings the biggest climb of the pilgrimage, as we ascend around 1,000 feet towards the beautiful and remote church of Llangelynnin. This is also a more demanding section of the route, including a steep 13-step ladder stile. We make our way through country lanes, farmland and woodland before joining the old “Coffin Track”, a steep and rough track leading towards the church and holy well. The walking may be challenging in places, but as we climb, wonderful views begin to open across the Conwy Valley and estuary.
Leaving Llangelynnin, we cross open moorland before joining the North Wales Coastal Path. A short diversion takes us to the ancient stone circle above Penmaenmawr. Retracing our steps, we rejoin the path and continue towards Llanfairfechan,
Alternative ending:
Depending upon the weather and time constraints, we may instead continue uphill towards the junction with the Roman Road and follow this ancient route to a finishing point above the village of Abergwyngregyn (Aber).(another 4 miles of walking)
Day 6 Aber to Bangor
12 miles of moderate walking
Our final day takes us around “Aber falls“ which sit high in the valley above the village of Abergwyngregyn. Following the path we cross a stream before a short climb takes us to a wide grassy track. Here the views open up towards Anglesey and Puffin Island. We continue along this section with the hills on our left and the sea on our right as the long sweeping path winds its way towards Bangor through fields and woods. After a descent through fields we take the underpass below the A55 to the outskirts of the city, before joining an old railway line which is now a lovely path beside a river, emerging near Penrhyn Castle at Port Penrhyn before making our way to Bangor Cathedral. A fitting place to end our week’s pilgrimage together.
Accommodation
We will be staying at the lovely House of Prayer at St Augustine’s Priory, Cliff Road, Old Colwyn. All rooms are en-suite and our holiday is fully catered. Old Colwyn is easily accessible by road, or by train to nearby Colwyn Bay.
Transport to the beginning of each day’s walk, and from the finishing point, will be provided using leaders’ cars, a minibus and/or local buses as appropriate. The cost of this transport is included in the price of the holiday.
Getting there
The House of Prayer is easily accessible by road using the A55. There are daily trains to nearby Colwyn Bay from Holyhead Port in Anglesey, and from London/ Manchester/ Liverpool/Chester /Crewe and Cardiff. It is a pleasant walk along the seafront to the House of Prayer or lifts may be available on the arrival day.
By Train: the nearest station is Colwyn Bay.
By Car: St Augustine’s Priory House of Prayer is situated in Old Colwyn, Colwyn Bay, 5 minutes from Junction 22 off the A55 from Chester. At the end of the slip road turn left. At the roundabout take the first exit (Marine Hotel opposite). Follow the High Street (Abergele Rd). Before the third pelican crossing take the left turn into Cefn Road, pharmacy on the corner - this is a One Way Road. Continue across Station Road into Cliff Road. St John’s Church in Wales is on the corner. Continue along Cliff Road. The entrance to St. Augustine’s Priory is approximately 100 metres on the right.
By Coach: Colwyn Bay is served by National Express Coaches
Please arrive by 1630 in time to settle in for our evening meal at 1830.
Contact & Booking Form
Karen Garrett spyrrydys@gmail.com +44 (0)7624 415413 and Jo Reed
After you have contacted the leader to check that a place is still available please complete the details on the Booking Form