A hideaway for passionate climbers
Located near Aberdaron, in Gwynedd, Porth Ysgo is a secluded National Trust-owned beach, hidden away and rarely busy.
At high tide it is quite pebbley, but mid and low tide reveal an expanse of good quality sand, although a few rocks in the bay mean visitors must take care if doing watersports.
A steep hillside and cliffs run along the back of the beach and the adjacent boulder field, which spreads eastwards from the beach, is popular with climbers.
Good surf does occasionally occur at the beach but the walk in (and perhaps the wipe-out potential of the rocks) keeps the crowds away.
Many climbers consider the area the best bouldering venue in North Wales, with the rock being a coarse-grained dolerite that is very good to climb on although a little tough on the skin in warm temperatures.
The nearby Trwyn Talfarach, Bytylith, Porth Nefoedd and Mynydd y Graig offer more boulder opportunities on the same top-quality rock.
There are no facilities at Porth Ysgo, with the nearest place for supplies being Aberdaron.
The boulder field can be reached by following the signposted turn off from the Rhiw-Aberdaron road, with parking in the small layby where the road splits.
A path by the stream descends along a grassy slope to the boulder field, although an alternative approach can be made from the National Trust car park a little further along the road.
