Information

The North Wales Path – Run Challenge is a 2 day, fully guided and supported ‘run’ following the 60 mile linear trail, from Prestatyn to Bangor. It has a total ascent of 7,700ft and reaches a maximum height of 1,396ft. The route involves largely shadowing the North Wales coastline, but comes inland at times to explore the foothills of the mountains that the area is famous for. Passing many areas of interest and through some wonderful North Walian countryside, the challenge over 2 days provides a truly rewarding weekend – and we’ll be there for you every step of the way. Guiding, encouraging, carrying your kit and generally helping you get the most from a fantastic experience!

We are offering a limited number of spaces for this challenge, and will be providing the following, over the course of the weekend, to make your journey along the trail, as safe, stress free and enjoyable as possible:

Fully Qualified Guides – We will be leading you every step of the way – you’ll have no worries about getting lost, just relax and enjoy your surroundings and the challenge!

Checkpoint support – The days are split into 5sections – approximately 5-7 miles in length, and at the end of each one we’ll meet you with your spare gear should you wish to change clothing policy, first aid provision and lots of food and drink to keep you going!

Safety and first aid cover – your in safe hands, your guides will be fully qualified when it comes to outdoor first aid, in addition we will have all the necassary skills and equipment to look after you if something goes wrong, at the end of each section.

Replenishment – Whilst it’s recommended that you carry some snacks and water on sections yourself, we’ll both provide and transport suitable foodstuffs and water/energy drinks and will have them waiting for you at the end of each section throughout the day.

Transport – It’s a linear route. If required, we can provide transport to get you back to your car at the end of both days. Day 1 starts in Prestatyn, day 2 on Llandudno's West Shore.

We will be averaging around 3.5mph moving time – a brisk walking pace for most, with rest stops at each CP, so the emphasis is on keeping going, not speed! Think of walking briskly the climbs, jogging the flat sections and running the descents and you’ll end up with this average pace, or thereabouts. The pace will be dictated by the Run Leaders.

ROUTE DETAILS

DAY 1

Road shoes are the order of the day - well, certainly for the most part as today we are mostly at, or near sea level on tarmac throughout - the exceptions being our initial gentle climb away from the coast at the start, the loop at Llanddulas on leg 2 and the end of the day provides us with most of our climbing, as we tackle the two 'Ormes.' At just over 50km and nearly 1000m of ascent involved, it'll provide you with a tough but enjoyable first day on the North Wales Path!

Leg 1 (15.9km)

Prestatyn to Kinmel Bay 

Out of Prestatyn, we head inland straight away, and it's nice, easy running on an old disused railway line initially, then a bit of ascent comes our way as we pass Meliden, skirt beneath Graig Fawr and reach Dyserth. We then start to head West and cover some of the flat, wide open spaces that the Vale of Clwyd is famous for - before reaching the town of Rhuddlan. We then follow the River Clwyd to it's mouth at Rhyl, and hit National Cycle Route 5 to Kinmel Bay, where CP 1 is located. 10 Miles down already :-)

Leg 2 (12.7km)

Kimmel Bay to Llysfaen

From Kinmel Bay - flat cycle track is followed in almost a straight line, with the sea immediately to you're right and gently rising hills inland, this really is a section to eat up some easy miles, the guide will increase the pace adequately, although the easy running is interrupted briefly at Llanddulas, where a climb inland to our CP at Llysfaen will see us pass the halfway point of the day.

Leg 3 (12.3km)

Llysfaen to Orme's Bay

From this lovely village, a delightful woodland section takes us towards Old Colwyn, and we reach the coast again for more cycle path action. Nice easy going again, the first sign of whats to come is at Rhos on Sea, where a slight climb beside the road takes us towards the crags of Little Orme. The lovely section on and over Little Orme is great fun, but not long enough really :-( - and you'll soon be at the last checkpoint of the day, CP 3 at Orme's Bay. 

Leg 4 (9.9km)

Orme's Bay to West Shore

All that stands between you and the end of day one is the Great Orme. As you pass Llandudno Pier, best not to dwell on the fact that they finish for the day is 1km away as the crow flies - and focus on getting around this big limestone lump! We follow the road around, and if you're not too tired or despondent, once over the other side, you'll be able to see the majority of Day 2 laid out before you - a very beautiful day 2 it is as well! Before you know it, you'll see the van greet you at West Shore, and it's time to replenish and get a good nights sleep!

DAY 2

Although a little shorter in distance, there's over 400m more ascent to contend with today - but it's definately the more spectacular of the two days - we are saving the best best day until last here. Largely off-road - the route explores the foothills of the Carneddau Mountains, as it shadows the coastline on our journey Westwards. The stats for Day 2 are 48km/1450m ascent

Leg 1 (10.1km)

West Shore to Sychnant Pass

The start of a brilliant route, and hopefully a successful day for you! From, West Shore - a flat start to ease us in to the second day is welcome and we soon find ourselves crossing the Afon Conwy and heading out through the town, by taking the path rising towards Conwy Mountain. The legs might let you know that they are still half asleep, but you'll feel much better further up the climb! A lovely area of paths, lakes, settlements and generally lots of interest as we hit our first CP of the day at Sychnant Pass.

Leg 2 (13.7km)

Sychnant Pass to Aber Falls top car park

The going here is great, soft grassy paths, high enough to give you great views, but low enough to (usually) escape the worst of the weather that the higher mountains receive - this section is a little bumpy in places, but theres always interest and if we have the weather, good progress can be made high above the coastline, and the longest leg of the day should pass relatively quickly for you, before we reach the wonderfully situated car park above Aber Falls, and CP 2.

Leg 3 (13.1km)

Aber falls top car park to Halfway Bridge

A short descent on the minor road takes us down into the valley, and a left turn before we hit the bottom car park takes us to the base of the spectacular Aber Falls. The path gently rises, then counters around to the North and heads back towards the coastline, with wonderful views of yesterday's Great Orme route. Staying consistently high for a few miles, and enjoying wonderful views across to the Isle of Anglesey, we eventually drop down to the CP just above the A5, near the village of Rachub

Leg 4 (8km)

Halfway Bridge to Bangor Pier

The last leg is a pretty flat combination of minor road and multi use track, which runs alongside the Ogwen, latterly through woodland to reach Penrhyn, and a short section around the marina has us at the pier and the finish point of our route. We''ll allow ourselves a celebratory Shandy in the Tap & Spile Inn, before the journey home!

Location