Geotrail leaflets to download

We have published a range of geowalks in the AONB Magazine ‘Swn y Mor’ (presented here as PDF files to download) : and in our publication “Footsteps through Time” (here as thumbnails)

Fossil and sample collection

GeoMon UNESCO Global Geopark is signatory to the European Geoparks Network Charter which forbids the sale of fossils and mineral specimens by 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 collectable 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 and follow any signs
Leave gates and property as you find them
Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home
Keep dogs under close control
Consider other people
take nothing but photographs and memories, leave nothing but footprints!

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.

Geotrails written by John Conway published in Swn y Mor [ free magazine published by the AONB]

A walk around the Breakwater Park and coast in Holyhead Breakwater Park Geotrail

Exploring the South stack area, geology, soils, botany, birds and humans from Neolithic settlement to Victorian lighthouse.

A walk around the coast from Wylfa to Cemaes and from Cemaes to Llanbadrig church

Explore the geology along the northern side of Red Wharf Bay Red Wharf Bay Geotrail

Making a change, no rocks, but plenty to see at Newborough Warren out to Abermenai Point sediments, soils, sand dunes and coastal processes.

Take a walk along the beach from Newborough forest car park out to Landdwyn Island to explore the amazing geology there.

Starting on top of Bodafon mountain, then transfer down to Lligwy beach; explore the Devonian landscape [Precambrian quartzite mountain] and see the rocks deposited during the Devonian period Bodafon

Explore the coastline from Aberffraw to Porth Cwyfan Aberffraw Geotrail

From Porth Trecastell over the headland at Barclodiad y Gawres and along the coast to Rhosneigr Rhosneigr Geotrail

Wander around the headland at Penmon Penmon geotrail

Explore the town of Beaumaris

No in-situ rocks, but plenty to find amongst the glacial deposits at Lleiniog on this trail towards Beaumaris

Explore the stunning esoteric landscape at Parys Mountain, once the biggest copper mine in the world, then transfer to Porth Amlwch from where the copper ore was exported to Swansea for refining.

*** Just published *** walk from Holyhead Market Hall along Newry Beach and the “rocky coast” across Mynydd Twr to South Stack.

in preparation : explore Holyhead town, see local geology, use of various rock types in the town and the local landscape. This walk will start out at Fish Dock and end at the start of the Breakwater.

Geotrails published in “Footsteps”

“Footsteps” is a lavishly illustrated, detailed book available for purchase from this website. Here we provide two free examples and thumbnails of the other geotrails]

Gallows Point Footsteps Trail – on the Menai strait near Beaumaris, this site shows a number of dykes intruded into gneiss and schistose rocks

Llanbadrig Footsteps Trail – on the north coast near Cemaes, this area includes the Gwna stromatolites, at 860MA the oldest fossils in Wales

Cemaes dykes Cemaes Bay Dyke Trail front