New coast path is road to fitness

Penllach, near Tudweiliog, is on part of the path closest to the sea

A new path around the coast of the Lleyn peninsula is being promoted as a way for people to get fit.

The route, officially opened on Friday, is already on the tourist map, but Gwynedd County Council wants to see the paths used by residents too.

Wyn Williams, the officer in charge of promoting the 95 mile (153km) path, said: "The market for walking tourists is definitely on the increase.

"But we want local people to use it too to get fit."

The route has been established by the council and the Countryside Council for Wales, along public footpaths, quiet roads, access land and footpaths.

In the future I look forward to a footpath going around the whole coast of Wales Wyn Evans, rural operations officer

Gwynedd councillor Tomos Evans said: "Walking is accepted as one of the best ways of exercising available and this path is a valuable resource which links many sites that are of significant cultural, historic and environmental interest.

"We hope that officially opening the path will benefit local businesses because of the increase of interesting destinations for people to walk and enjoy on the Lleyn."

Work on the paths has been ongoing for a few years but the final push has been a special project over the past 12 months, said Wyn Williams.

"In the future I look forward to a footpath going around the whole coast of Wales.

"But for now this footpath on the Lleyn can be used to promote the area."