Due to problems earlier on we have had to skip a section until next year and walk the north Wales Coast from Conwy to Flint. We stayed at The Hydro Hotel in Llandudno which was an excellent hotel right on the promenade. Looking back this one of the most enjoyable weeks of walking – possibly because none of them were that long, mostly flat and it would be difficult to get lost.
15 October 2018 – Conwy to Llandudno: 8.9 miles (14.3 km) +509m -517m
A bus took us to Conwy and then we walked down to the quay where we joined the Coast Path. From the quay we walked over the River Conwy towards Llandudno Junction. From there we followed the railway to Deganwy, then alongside a golf course and across a beach to the start of Marine Drive.
This is the road that goes round the Great Orm which was built in 1878 as a carriage drive for the increasing number of visitors. It was steeper than I expected but once we reached the cafe a the far side of the Orm, it was downhill all the way to Llandudno Pier. It was too cold for an ice cream so we just walked back along the prom to the hotel.
16 October 2018 – Llandudno to Llandulas: 10.6 miles (17.1 km) +276m -271m
From the hotel we walked along the promenade towards the Little Orm. The Coast Path doesn’t go to the top of the Orm but it was still a steep climb to where we had good views of the north Wales coast.
The Path then led us steeply down to Penrhyn Bay. On the way through Rhos on Sea we stopped at St Trillo’s Chapel, thought to be the smallest chapel in Britain with just six seats.
We had lunch here before moving onto the promenade and then to Hen Wrych. It was a rather random place to end the walk but it had an easy access to the main road and the bus back to Llandudno. We had also walked over 10 miles which was enough for one day.
17 October 2018 – Llandulas to Prestatyn: 9.3 miles (14.9 km) +50m -56m
Today was going to be a special day because we would be completing our circumnavigation of Wales.
We rejoined the Path at Hen Wrych but soon moved onto the beach which was easier to walk on than tarmac. We kept on the sand all the way to Rhyl where we had lunch. It may have been October but Rhyl looked to be a typical faded British seaside town in need of some loving care – and money. We continued on the promenade to Prestatyn where we met the start of Offa’s Dyke Path. For some of us the last time we were here was on 28 May 2007 when, unknowingly, we started our trek round Wales. For those of us that had made it this far there was a sense of achievement but we still had a long way to go to get to our goal of Chester and completion of the Dragon Walk.
Prestatyn May 2007 
Prestatyn October 2018
After a few pictures we walked to the station to get the train back to Llandudno.
18 October 2018 – Prestatyn to Mostyn: 8.9 miles (14.4 km) +108m +101m
From Prestatyn we walked along the prom and then sand dunes before crossing a bridge onto the beach. As the tide was out we were able to walk along the beach in the autumn sun to the Point of Ayr lighthouse, which is also the most northerly point of mainland Wales. We spent a long time around the lighthouse, taking many pictures.
We then turned south to walk alongside the wide Dee estuary to Talacre where the collieries were situated but was now a nature park. We then followed the road to Mostyn where we got the bus and then train back to Llandudno
19 October 2018 – Mostyn to Flint Castle: 9.1 miles (14.6 km) +120m -120m
A train and bus took us to Mostyn where we continued walking along the Dee estuary. A Greenfield Dock we passed an abandoned ship, the Duke of Lancaster. It was once known as the “Fun Ship”, renowned for its discos. It’s hull has recently been repainted to remove the graffiti with a view to restoring it.
We then had a climb to Bettesfield viewpoint, an old colliery tip, where there is an impressive metal dragon.
The remaining part of the walk took us through the saltmarshes to Flint Castle, where after buying some snacks, we caught the train direct back to Llandudno.
We were now in a position to see the end of this adventure with one session of six walks to complete Anglesey in June and then in September 2019 the completion of the Llyn peninsular and the Dee estuary to Chester.