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Two new sections of the popular Wales Coast Path have recently been opened following work by ramblers, landowners and county councils.

An upgraded section of one of the paths leading to the summit of Snowdon has also been opened to walkers.

One section of the coastal path connects Y Felinheli with the Glan Faenol estate following upgrading work by Gwynedd Council.

The work of establishing the path has included creating a new right of way, improvements within and near the entrance to the Glan Faenol estate and building a new path within the marina area.

The work was supported by a Natural Resources Wales grant, with the work being co-ordinated by Gwynedd Council Coastal Path officers.

This section of the path is a vast improvement on the former route of the coastal path which ran along the busy A487 road.

The path offers walkers a chance to enjoy new views of the Menai Strait and a glimpse of the history of the Faenol Estate.

Dafydd Meurig, Deupty Leader of Gwynedd Council and Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “The coastal path has been an important resource for Gwynedd.

"The 185-mile network which stretches from Abergwyngregyn across to Aberdaron and then down towards Aberdyfi and beyond is extremely popular with locals and visitors who use it to enjoy the stunning views of our coastline here in Gwynedd.

“Following significant work by council officers, partners and others I am very pleased that we have been able to upgrade and develop a key part of the path between Felinheli and the Glan Faenol estate.

"These improvements have created a path which follows the Menai between Caernarfon and the outskirts of Bangor which also allows walkers to make the most of other paths which already exist in the Glan Faenol area.”

Gwynedd Council staff worked closely with the National Trust and others to establish the new path.

Funds raised through a crowdfunding campaign two years ago has allowed the first phase of footpath construction work on the upper section of the Watkin Path on Snowdon to be completed.

The path is one of the most challenging routes to the summit of Snowdon, not only because it is the route with the greatest ascent, but because the upper section of the path crosses a steep and loose scree slope which is difficult to navigate.

With almost 25,000 walkers trampling over the scree each year an unsightly erosion scar had developed on this part of the path.

Funds raised through the British Mountaineering Council led crowdfunding campaign, Mend our Mountains back in 2016, as well as contributions by the National Trust and the Snowdonia Park Authority (SNPA), enabled a local contractor to undertake the arduous task of constructing a 160 metre length of stone pitched path across the scree.

(Image: Ian Cooper)

Five months and 140 tonnes of stone later the work is complete.

Hywel Jones, SNPA Access Projects Officer said: “Without a doubt, this location has been one of the most challenging to undertake path construction work as it effectively involved constructing a path on a cliff.

"It also took an extraordinary effort by Andy Bingham and his gang to complete the work too – not everyone has a work commute consisting of a 1000 metre climb in all weathers!

A further 250 metre section of path remains to be constructed but there is no certainty work on the second phase can be carried out due to funding cuts.

Members of Ynys Mon Ramblers Group (YMRG), were told recently that Baron Hill Estate owner Sir Richard Bulkeley has agreed a deal with Anglesey Council's highways department to open a new path leading from Bryn Offa to Fedw Fawr in Llanddona.

The newly opened path gives stunning views across Red Wharf Bay to the Great Orme.

At the same time, a path used by fishermen from Bwrdd Arthur to the coast which has been blocked for years by work at Tan Dinas quarry, has been re-opened on a slightly different line.