Self-guided geowalk leaflets to download
Self-guided geowalk leaflets to download! We have published a range of self guided ‘geowalks’ which are presented here as PDF files to download : there are others in our publication “Footsteps through Time” (one shown here as an example). If you are following any of our trails please be sure to follow accepted codes on hammering [please don’t], collection of samples [only material already broken off] and general countryside codes [take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints]. Most of Anglesey is a protected site either as AONB, National Nature Reserve, Special Area of Conservation or SSSI.
Fossil and sample collection
GeoMôn UNESCO Global Geopark is signatory to the European Geoparks Network Charter which forbids the sale of fossils and mineral specimens by any of its partner organisations. Fossils are a limited resource, rock exposures are damaged permanently by hammering and collecting, though often there are pebbles on the beaches which can be collected as souvenirs.
The Geopark does not permit the sale of fossils by its partners nor does it promote the collection of fossils from within its boundaries, indeed their collection from many of the sites listed is forbidden by law. Follow the Countryside Code.
Countryside Code
- Be safe – plan ahead: weather, tides, take appropriate clothing
- Do not park so as to obstruct access roads or gates.
- Try to use green transport – cycles, buses, trains where possible.
- Use stiles and gates. Close any gates that you open but leave gates as you find them.
- Do not walk across cultivated fields or growing grass crops; keep to the footpath.
- Do not disturb livestock, especially during lambing time (mid April – mid June).
- Dogs must be kept under close control or on leads, especially amongst farm animals.
- Do not disturb nesting birds – be aware especially of ground nesting birds on some coastal locations.
- Respect wildlife and refrain from picking flowers.
- Take your litter home
- be considerate of other people
- take nothing but photographs and memories, leave nothing but footprints!
- Do not leave litter or start fires.
- Leave rocks as you find them.
- Do not take geological specimens without permission.
Geology Field work
please follow the Code for Geological Fieldwork as published by the Geological Society of London
Safety
Our geotrails follow public footpaths or open access land such as beaches. Nevertheless, you should consider the safety aspects of following any suggested route, such as dressing appropriately for the weather; wearing suitable footwear [some paths are steep and rocky, others can be wet , muddy and slippery] and taking care over rough ground. Rocky shores are notoriously slippy in wet conditions. Consult tide tables before venturing far from shore, for example Llanddwyn Island does get cut-off at high tide. Note that tide times vary considerably around Anglesey, so make sure you get a local forecast. The Met Office provide detailed local weather forecasts and tide times.
Self-guided geowalk leaflets to download
originally written by John Conway for the AONB magazine (which is no longer available), these two page trails are reproduced here for free download : (Os am y fersiwn Gymraeg, cliciwch y ddolen “Welsh version”)
A walk exploring the geology andscenery around the Breakwater Park and rocky coast. (Welsh version)
Explore the South stack area, geology, soils, botany, birds and humans from Neolithic settlement to Victorian lighthouse. Welsh version
Two coastal walks from Cemaes exploring the world famous Precambrian “melange” (=mixture, a name coined to explain how sandstone, quartzite, green schist and limestone came to be horrendously smashed up and squashed together) , one along the coast from Cemaes to Wylfa Head (Welsh version) and one from Cemaes to Llanbadrig church (Welsh version)
Explore the Carboniferous geology (sandstone, shale and limestone with some lovely fossils and intriguing evidence of sea level change) along the northern side of Red Wharf Bay Welsh version
Making a change, no rocks, but plenty of sediments, soils, sand dunes and coastal processes to see along the coast from Newborough Forest car park to Abermenai Point . Welsh version
Take a walk along the beach from Newborough forest car park out to Llanddwyn Island to explore the amazing geology there – see a complete ocean plate from World famous exposures of pillow lavas through deep ocean sediments up to terrigenous sediments. Welsh version
Starting on top of Bodafon mountain, then transfer down to the north side of Traeth Lligwy to explore the Devonian landscape with its Precambrian quartzite mountain and the rocks deposited during the Devonian period. Welsh version
Explore the coastline from Aberffraw to Porth Cwyfan (Welsh version)
Walk from Porth Trecastell over the headland at Barclodiad y Gawres and along the coast to Rhosneigr (Welsh version)
Wander around the headland at Penmon or (Welsh version)
No in-situ rocks, but plenty to find amongst the glacial deposits at Lleiniog on this trail towards Beaumaris (Welsh version)
Explore the stunning esoteric landscape at Parys Mountain, (Welsh version) once the biggest copper mine in the world, or visit Porth Amlwch (Welsh version) from where the copper ore was exported to Swansea for refining.
Not available to download but walk from Holyhead Market Hall along Newry Beach and the “rocky coast” across Mynydd Twr to South Stack. Explore Holyhead town, see local geology, use of various rock types in the town and the local landscape.
Beaumaris : explore the building stones and local geological features around this popular town [not yet available to download but is one of a pack of printed leaflets that can be purchased from the online shop
Eglwys St. Cristiolus Church, Llangristiolus : the burial place of Edward Greenly, explore the geology of the churchyard written by Cynthia Burek. Download leaflet
Self-guided geowalk leaflets published in “Footsteps”
“Footsteps” is a lavishly illustrated, detailed book available for purchase from this website with 14 more detailed geotrails.
Gallows Point Footsteps Trail – on the Menai strait near Beaumaris, this site shows a number of dykes intruded into gneiss and schistose rocks
Other trails in the book will take you to : Cemaes dykes, Cemaes rock trail, Llanddwyn, Lleiniog, Malltraeth, Marquess Column, Parys Mountain, Red Wharf Bay, Rhoscolyn, Rhosneigr, South Stack, Traeth Lligwy
Circular Walks
Anglesey Council has published a number of leaflets over the years entitled “Circular Walks” with different themes. Those currently available can be downloaded from their website free of charge. Note these are principally route guides and have little or no geological descriptions.
