The Best Walk in North Wales
Walking on the Great Orme is one of the finest experiences North Wales has to offer. The headland provides a remarkable variety of terrain and scenery within a relatively compact area: coastal cliff paths with vertiginous drops to the sea, open limestone grassland alive with wildflowers in spring and summer, ancient church enclosures and prehistoric earthworks, and summit views that encompass Snowdonia, Anglesey, the Conwy Valley and, on exceptional days, the faint outline of the Irish hills.
The most straightforward approach to the summit from the town is via the Haulfre Gardens trail, which begins near the lower cable car terminus and climbs gradually through the garden grounds before emerging onto the open headland. This route is well-maintained and takes between 45 minutes and an hour at a comfortable pace. An alternative approach follows the path above Marine Drive from the western end of North Shore, climbing more steeply but offering immediate sea views.
The summit plateau is largely open grassland, and paths cross it in several directions connecting the main attractions: the copper mines, St Tudno's Church, the visitor centre and cafe, and the various viewpoints around the perimeter. The Kashmiri goats are almost always visible somewhere on the upper slopes, adding a distinctly unexpected element to what is already an unusual landscape.
The Marine Drive Walk
The Marine Drive is a four-mile toll road that circles the base of the Great Orme, cut from the limestone cliffs in 1878. Walkers and cyclists can use the road as well as vehicles, and the toll for walkers is very modest. The route is entirely flat — it follows the cliff base rather than climbing the headland — and offers a spectacular perspective on the sheer limestone faces above, with the sea and rocks far below on the seaward side.
The Marine Drive walk makes an excellent alternative to the summit routes for those who want dramatic coastal scenery without the climb. The views are genuinely impressive, particularly on the exposed northern and western sections where the road hugs the cliff above the open sea. At various points you can see the goats on the ledges above, apparently unconcerned about the vertiginous drops. The road is open to vehicles in summer, so be aware of traffic, though the pace of cars on this road is invariably slow.
A Complete Circuit
A complete circuit of the Great Orme on foot, combining the summit paths with the Marine Drive, covers roughly six to eight miles depending on the exact route taken and makes for a full day's walking. The terrain is generally good underfoot but some sections are rocky and uneven, and the ascent to the summit involves sustained climbing. Good footwear is essential, and on exposed days the wind on the summit plateau can be fierce.
A shorter but still satisfying walk takes the tramway up, follows the summit paths to St Tudno's Church and the copper mines, and then descends on foot via the Haulfre Gardens or Happy Valley routes. This takes two to three hours and keeps the ascent largely mechanical, saving your legs for exploration at the top. Alternatively, walk up via Haulfre Gardens, enjoy the summit at your own pace, and take the cable car down — a particularly enjoyable combination that gives you the sense of achievement of the ascent without the knee-jarring effort of the descent.
The Great Orme is a designated Local Nature Reserve and access on foot is free at all times. Dogs are welcome on leads. The nature reserve paths are maintained by Conwy County Borough Council and are generally well waymarked. Always carry water and appropriate clothing for the weather — conditions on the summit can change quickly, even in summer.
Starting Points and Practicalities
The main walking access points to the Great Orme are at the bottom of Church Walks (near the tramway lower terminus), at Happy Valley Road (near the cable car lower terminus), and at the western end of the North Shore promenade where the Marine Drive begins. All are within easy walking distance of the town centre and the main car parks.
The Great Orme is exposed, and weather conditions can be very different on the summit from those in the town below. Even on warm summer days, it is worth bringing a wind layer. The limestone grassland can be slippery when wet, and the cliff edges on the Marine Drive and the summit perimeter paths are unfenced — take care with children and dogs near the edge. The goats, for all their apparent fearlessness, are best observed from a safe distance; they are wild animals and their behaviour can be unpredictable.
Day trips