It was a windy Sunday when we last set off on a family walk on the wild-side of Caernarfon. At least on this particular Sunday it was a wild, windy and a high spring tide had flung seaweed up onto the road which runs along the foreshore, just across the swing bridge from Caernarfon.

This trail takes you from the car park on slate key – the one by the castle – and back to Caernarfon in one big loop.

To get started simply cross the swing bridge and follow the road along the coastline.

Keep an eye out for birdlife, oyster catchers and cormorants are a common sight, today though there were nowhere to be seen. The tide was still well up and salty spray kept catching us unaware, much to the delight of my little son.

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This is a moderate walk taking in coastline, farmland, fields, grazing cows, with views of the distant mountains. It’s an easy walk of about 8.5km – with short sections on back roads.

1. Cross swing bridge in front of Caernarfon Castle
2. Continue along the road in the direction of Llanwnda, you’ll pass the Caernarfon Golf Club.
3. Keep on the road past a little cove which is home to a selection boats and elderly cars, a little beyond it a finger post that invites you to head inland.
4. Follow the footpath past two converted buildings – Ysgubor (Barn) Isaf and Beudy (Cowshed) Uchain
5. Go through the gate on the boundary of the top property and turn immediate right on to a charming little road flanked on each side by hedgerows and a strip of grass down the middle.
6. When you get to the farm continue through the yard onto a single-track road – be careful this a working farmyard and tractors were coming and going when we passed through.
7. Continue up the road until you get to a gated left-turn, take this road – don’t forget to close the gate.
8. Continue on this route, the track bears round and you’ll pass a rustic little cottage Cefn Coed Uchaf, a few short steps later the track peters out.
9. Go through gate at the end of the lane, go straight through and up the hill where you come to a kissing gate. From here the route across the fields is well marked.
10. Follow the markers through the fields. Check out the gnarly trees, how to they stay upright?
11. The tracks through the fields take through to a house and its driveway then onto a single-track road.
12. For a straightforward route continue on the track which eventually takes to Pant Rd, a busy back road, turn left and continue a short while until you pass Fron Goch Garden Centre.
13. Follow the pubic footpath with takes uphill and through a gate
14. Turn left and follow Lon Eifion cycle track which runs alongside the Welsh Highland Railway all the way back to Caernarfon.

Here is a rough guide to the route – please don’t rely on these maps for navigational purposes. They are best used with an appropriate map just as an Ordnancy Survey or View Ranger phone application: http://walestrails.com/my-routes/y-foryd-circular-walk/