Cei Ballast

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