About Islandeering
Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
More About UsWe continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
Key Facts
- Location: West Wales
- Size: < 1ha
- High point: 28m
- Terrain: wild grassland and cliffs
- Map: OS Explorer 198: Cardigan & New Quay
- Starting point: Leave from Llangrannog, SA44 6RH; Grid ref. SN 310 541
A dramatic and iconic tidal headland that offers those with a head for heights a wealth of adventure and a very good chance of spotting Europe’s largest pod of bottlenose dolphins. Between the seaside villages of Llangrannog and New Quay this wild island can only be accessed by a precipitous path down the vertiginous sea cliffs. Once on the rocks below with their verdant rock pools and small beaches, the route continues through a sea cave, on to a large ledge, then up a grass path on to the island itself. This must only be attempted at low tide.
The view back to the cliff’s colourful layers of shales, grits and sandstones are rarely seen and from the island’s plateau the whole sweep of Cardigan Bay can be enjoyed with views north as far as the Llŷn Peninsula. For the climber the island’s cliffs offer some aptly named routes and sectors – Lochtyn Syndrome, Fish Fingers and Topple Blocks.
Best things to do on Ynys Lochtyn
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- Walk the Wales Coast Path near New Quay
- Feel dizzy atop the spectacular cliffs
- Scramble on rock ledges and explore sea caves
- Poke around in huge rockpools
- Watch the dolphins of Cardigan Bay
How to get to Ynys Lochtyn
From the car park at Llangrannog, turn R (NE) along the beach to climb the steps. Follow signs for Ceredigion Coastal Path. After 880m turn L at the gate onto a bigger track to see the island ahead. To access the island, see Ynys Lochtyn Islandeering route.
Food near Ynys Lochtyn
Cafés, inns, and toilets at Llangrannog.
About Islandeering
Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
More About UsWe continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
Key Fact
- Location: Cardigan Bay, West Wales
- Terrain: Easy coastal path; and steep lose route down the cliffs; scrambling on the island
- Access: Tidal
- Height gain: 237 metres
- Map: OS Explorer 198: Cardigan & New Quay
- Starting point: Ynys Lochtyn headland, GR SN 31445 55401; or from Llangrannog, GR SN 310 542 and walk NE along Wales Coast Path towards New Quay.
Ynys Lochtyn Walk
A stunning walk from Llagrannog on the Wales Coast Path to Ynys Lochtyn for a rocky adventure with cliff and sea-cave scrambling to see Europe’s largest pod of bottlenose dolphins. This small, wild and tidal island is a high grass-topped plateau that sits adjacent to the Ynys Lochtyn headland from which it is cut off on all but the lowest of tides.
Surrounded by steep cliffs that jut into Cardigan Bay with a treasure trove of caves, rock ledges and beaches there is a thrilling sense of exposure here. It is an extraordinary spot from which to enjoy the whole sweep of Cardigan Bay, with the craggy outline of the Llŷn peninsula that can be seen to the north on clear days.
From the car park at Llangrannog, turn R (NE) along the beach to climb the steps. Follow signs for Ceredigion Coastal Path. After 880m turn L at the gate onto a bigger track to see the island ahead.
On the approach to Ynys Lochtyn, leave the main path and follow the defined grass path N towards the island. Just before reaching the cliffs adjacent to the island look for a metal belay point on the E coast of the headland and after 10m (S), find a steep path leading down to the R. Descend the cliffs on this path. It has some wide rock slabs but is steep with loose stones in some areas. Once at the base of the cliffs, walk through the sea cave onto the ledges and ascend the steep grassy path to the plateau of the island. Return to Llangrannog via the same route. Llangrannog Beach, one of the best beaches in Ceredigion, is a great place to relax on your return.
