Introduction

Holyhead Mountain is the highest point on Holy Island – a small picturesque island connected to the Isle of Anglesey by bridge. With its dramatic sea views, fascinating archaeological sites and rich wildlife, the mountain offers a blend of natural beauty and history. It’s a truly scenic hike that leaves a lasting impression. We can truly recommend it to anyone who wants a break from Anglesey’s beaches and is ready for a little adventure. 

The round-trip hike takes around 2-3 hours to complete, and the total distance is around 5 miles. The hike is considered moderate, as there’s an elevation gain of around 300 meters. However, we didn’t really feel we were climbing until we reached the final stretch to the top. We believe anyone with moderate levels of fitness will be fine doing the hike. In this blog post we share our tips to help you make the most of the Holyhead Mountain hike.

Wales, especially Snowdonia National Park, is a place we always come back to. If you’re interested in reading more about it, we also have a blog post dedicated to Hidden Gems in Snowdonia or a post on Dinorwic Quarry Circular Walk.

Holyhead Mountain Hike Parking

We decided to park at Breakwater Country Park, right near the walking path leading to the top of Holyhead Mountain. It’s easily accessible from the main road, and only around 5 minutes drive from the centre of Holyhead. 

It costs £6 to park there for the whole day. The parking was easy and there was plenty of space in the morning. However, please note in the afternoon it might get busier with families coming to spend the day in the park. There are also toilets available and a little café where you can grab some drinks and snacks. Below is the location of where we parked:

Holyhead Mountain Trail

Be aware that the route isn’t always clearly marked. This is something many visitors also mention in their Google reviews. When we began our hike from Breakwater Country Park, we were slightly confused which path was leading to the top of the mountain. It took us a while to figure it out. 

Our advice is that when you start the hike, you need to go past the pond, and afterwards follow the ‘fitness trail’ sign. Then go left to the trial leading up, you will then start the gradual climb to the top. 

As you climb higher, panoramic views open up across the Irish Sea and the rugged coastline. It’s well worth the effort! The final section to the summit is a little steeper and rockier, but nothing too challenging for most walkers. If you want some help getting up, we recommend bringing hiking poles. 

At the top we saw stunning views of the coastline on both sides. There are also small remains of a Roman watch tower. On a clear day, you can also see some Snowdonia mountain in the distance. There’s also a bench at the top where we rested and had a quick snack. 

After reaching the peak you have two choices. You can either continue walking to the South Stack Lighthouse, or make your way back down to the parking lot for a shorter option.  

We found the descent from the summit to be the trickiest part. This is because a few sections where the path became faint and it wasn’t immediately obvious which direction to take. There are multiple routes you can take down and it’s quite easy to get lost. We wouldn’t recommend doing the hike on a rainy or foggy day, as the path will be hard to follow. We recommend using the All Trails app to help you navigate.

Holyhead Mountain Hike Final Thoughts

The Holyhead Mountain hike is one of the most scenic walks on Anglesey. It rewards you with spectacular coastal views and a real sense of adventure. While the route itself is relatively manageable, the directions can be confusing and the trail can be a bit sketchy at times. 

Despite the occasional uncertainty with the trail, the breathtaking scenery makes up for it. If you’re visiting Anglesey and enjoy coastal walks, Holyhead Mountain is well worth adding to your itinerary.