All walks › Eryri: Ogwen and the Carneddau
Eryri: Ogwen and the CarneddauAber Ogwen and the Lavan Sands
Flat shoreline walking on the Menai Strait with an enormous expanse of sand at low tide and Anglesey directly opposite.
- Distance
- 3.1 mi / 5 km
- Time
- 1 hr 40
- Ascent
- 20 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Shape
- There and back
Where it is
The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.
The route
The coast path runs along the shore in both directions from the car park. Level and easy, with hides overlooking the sands.
Worth knowing
- The Lavan Sands hold thousands of waders and wildfowl in winter. Two hours before high tide is best.
- Great crested grebe and red-breasted merganser on the strait through the colder months.
- The sands look walkable and are not; channels fill fast and the tide comes in quickly.
What you’ll see
The Menai Strait, Anglesey opposite, vast sandflats and large numbers of birds.
Background
The Lavan Sands were crossed on foot at low tide by travellers to Anglesey before the Menai Bridge opened in 1826, guided by a bell rung in the fog.