
Key Facts
- Location: North Wales
- Size: <1 hectare
- Terrain: Tidal sands, rocky foreshore
- Access: Tidal crossing
- Height gain: 16 metres
- Map: OS Explorer OL18
- Starting point: Car park for Ffestiniog Railway, Harbour Station, Porthmadog LL49 9NF. Lat/Long 52.924382, -4.126708; GR SH 5712938448
- Accommodation/food:
Toilets and refreshments at Spooners grill, café and bar on the Ffestiniog Railway platform. All facilities available in Porthmadog itself.
- Island Summary:
Cei Ballast sits in almost compete secrecy in the northern reaches of the River Glaslyn only a hundred metres away from the bustling town of Porthmadog. It is a low-lying, shrub-filled island built only 200 years or so ago from the discarded ballast of ships.
- Look out for:
- Epic tidal crossing
- Deep, warm pools to swim
- Hunt for rocks from all over the world
- Local brews at Purple Moose brewery
- Route description:
Drop down onto the sands from The Cob, cross a tidal stream, heads into the salt marsh, samphire beds and cockle-filled sands beyond. The walk then follows the rocky foreshore – a colourful mix of chalk, red granite, brick, limestone, industrial slag, flint and the occasional piece of patterned pottery. There is no other foreshore quite like it in Britain.
- Getting there:
Train to Porthmadog station
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