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: Dwyryd Estuary, Porthmadog
- Size: <1ha
- Terrain: rocky foreshore; heavily vegetated interior
- Access: Tidal causeway, 3hrs either side of low tide
- High point: 6m
- Map: OS Explorer OL18 Harlech, Porthmadog & Y Bala
- Starting point: The Cob adjacent to Ffestiniog Railway, LL49 9NF. Grid ref. SH 573 383
One of Britain’s newest islands built of rock picked up from all over the globe. Getting here is quite an adventure but worth it for its beautiful sun-warmed pools. Cei Ballast sits in almost complete secrecy in the northern reaches of the Afon Glaslyn, just a few hundred metres from the bustling town of Porthmadog. Low-lying (the high point of the island reaches six metres) and covered in scrub, this man-made island was formed around two hundred years ago from the discarded ballast carried by ships returning from delivering the highly prized slate from the Ffestiniog quarries. The island’s unique, colourful foreshore is a mix of chalk, red granite, brick, limestone, industrial slag, flint and the occasional piece of pottery. At low tide the southern tip of the island has a superb tidal pool which is an incredible place to swim when sun on the surrounding sandbanks has warmed the water.
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
How to get to Cei Ballast
Cei Ballast can be accessed at low tide by dropping down onto the sands from the Cob, the stone embankment that carries the steam trains of the Ffestiniog Railway. Once on the sands the short route to the island involves crossing the tidal stream before heading into the samphire beds and cockle-filled sands. Check out the ‘Islandeering route’ for more details on the Cei Ballast Walk.
It is also possible to paddleboard to Cei Ballast from Borth-y-Gest. For details check our Afon Dwyryd Explorer route – link
Food in Porthmadog
Our favourite places to eat and drink in Portmadog that are close to the start of the walk include Spooners Café, Bar and Grill in the Ffestiniog Station for a pint from the Purple Moose Brewery, and the Big Rock Café along the High Street for excellent bakes goods and coffee.
Cei Ballast Tide Times
To plan the walk to Cei Ballast aim to cross 3 hours before and after low tide. To paddleboard to Cei Ballast from Borth-y-Gest aim for 2 hours either side of high tide. Check the Cei Ballast Tide Table for Criccieth – link https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast-and-sea/tide-tables .
Walking around Cei Ballast
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: Near Porthmadog, Wales
- Terrain: Tidal sands, rocky foreshore
- Access: Tidal, 3 hours either side of low tide
- Height gain: 16 metres
- Map: OS Explorer OL18 Harlech, Porthmadog & Y Bala
- Starting point: The Cob adjacent to Ffestiniog Railway, LL49 9NF. Grid ref. SH 573 383
Route description of the Cei Ballast Walk
A secret walk across wild sands that starts by dropping down from the Cob, the stone embankment that spans the estuary and carries the steam trains of the Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog railways. Once on the sands, the short route to the island crosses a tidal stream before it heads into the saltmarsh, samphire beds, and cockle-filled sands beyond. The colourful foreshore of Cei Ballast is a 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.
From the Ffestiniog railway car park, walk along the marked footpath to the L of Spooners, then along the railings between the railway and the road towards the Cob. After 340m, at the end of the railings, turn R and cross the track to reach the wall of the Cob. Climb the low wall and drop down onto the stones.
Wade across the Glaslyn channel and walk towards the island, skirting L of the saltmarsh to avoid further channels. At the island’s foreshore continue around in a clockwise direction to reach the deep pools that are beautiful for a secluded swim at the S tip. Continue past the rotting wooden moorings and slate sidings along the W coast, where a small mobile crane was once positioned to transfer the ballast from the returning ships to small trucks. Continue to the sheltered N tip, then return across the sands.
