Leaving the campsite I followed what is called the alternative Wales Coast Path for a short distance to take up the main coastal path. The alternative path comes down (goes up) the mountain. If you want an alternative 'high' route, from the Trwyn Yr Wylfa Camping Site there is a path up in to the mountains where you can take up either the Cambrian Way or the North Wales Coast Path which will take you on a more rugged route in to Conwy from the south.
I decided to follow the main A55 road up on to Penmaen-bach headland because I wanted to see the coastal views going round the headland and to get a closer look at the Penmaenbach Tunnels. The first tunnel was built in 1932, to carry two-way vehicle traffic to Penmaenmawr. In 1989, a second tunnel was built to take all west-bound traffic, with east-bound vehicles left to use the original 1932 tunnel.
If I was doing the walk again I might go to straight to the shore and keep to the coastline for the whole walk. Coming down from the camp there is a railway line between you and the shore so you would need to look out for an early way to cross it.
It is interesting walking the cycle track for the first time. Essentially, a cycle path on stilts, stuck on to the side of the road. They have done what they could to soften the edges of the path with grass and tree planting but it is what it is. At the top, as the road traffic disappears in to the huge, cavernous tunnel, the cycle path stays on the outside going round the end of the headland. After turning the headland, a little ways further on, there is a footbridge over the railway that enables you to go down on to the shore. The main Wales Coast Path continues at this point to follow a line at the back of the beach, along the edge of the Conwy golf course and on up to the turn on to the banks of the River Conwy.
Looking back you have a good impression of the sheer bulk of the Penmaer-bach headland. From a line on the the headland looking out to sea, there are good views of Puffin island and the Trywyn Du lighthouse at the tip of Anglesey at Penmon Point. Built in 1838, Trywyn Du marks the entry to the start of the Menai Strait. It is situated on low lying rocks just south of of Puffin Island and is distinctive with its three broad black bands. Lighthouse keepers were withdrawn in 1922, converted to solar power in 1996 and is now controlled remotely from the main Trinity House centre in Essex.
Walking along the beach the views to the front are dominated by the bulk of Great Orme's Head which appeared to fill the clear blue sky. At the backend of the headland the houses at Llandudno shine brightly in the sunshine.
The glamorous sands disappear at the turn to be replaced by a mixture of pebble, shingle and small rocks. The Conwy Quays Marina is situated here and you have to divert inland to go round the marina and through the marina village.