An extraordinary hill on the island of Anglesey in North Wales has been described by visitors as "like Mars on Earth" and an "alien landscape." Parys Mountain, located on the northernmost side of Anglesey at Amlwch, boasts a surreal landscape in hues of gold, purple and green, and is recognised as one of the world's most significant mining landscapes.
Free access and heritage trails
The site is completely free to access, a feature championed by the Amlwch Industrial Heritage Trust, which is dedicated to celebrating the legacy of a place where over 4,000 years of mining history have shaped the land. The trust hopes to one day open a visitor centre at Parys Mountain, but until then, visitors can pick up a free guide created by the trust to help walk the trails around the hilltop.
The guide also describes the history of the site and how its spectacular and eerie appearance is down to the copper minerals exploited here for thousands of years. In the 1700s and 1800s there was a copper boom, and for a time Parys Mountain was the world's leading copper producer.
Industrial legacy and natural wonders
As such, it played an important role in the Industrial Revolution and in both the local and global economy. The nearby inlet at Porth Amlwch on Anglesey's north coast was transformed from a fishing port into a centre of trade and shipbuilding.
The mountain also boasts several Sites of Special Scientific Interest due to its geographical importance and extraordinary plant life. There are 100 types of rock visible as you walk around the site, which has a historic windmill at the summit. There are also chasms, an old engine house, and the old sampling pool and precipitation ponds to be viewed on the walk.
Visitor reviews and practical tips
The mountain has racked up a string of five-star reviews on Tripadvisor, with visitors wowed by the alien landscape. Recent reviews include one from Edward L, who wrote: "Wow! I had read that the high copper content of the quarry creates a red, Martian landscape on Earth and boy were they not wrong. Quite easy to find - just put the sat nav postcode in and lots of road parking nearby and safe."
He continued: "The 'Mars on Earth' vista is breathtaking. You have to see it to believe it! All the multi coloured rock and purple foliage - straight out of Dr Who but real!!! A real Anglesey Highlight. I also loved the remains of a Windmill there, standing like a sentry above the quarry."
Ruth F wrote in August: "I’ve just visited Mars!! What a great find on Anglesey and free!!! The next backdrop for a blockbusting film… You have the choice of two walks one short and one long, I’d max your time here and do the longer walk we spent about 2hrs 30 here, the colours of this world famous copper mine is breath taking lifted by the blooms of the purple heather. The paths are well marked and at the main carpark you can pick up a free map and guide to the mine, I’d defo visit again if in area."
John K hailed it a "geographical wonder," writing: "Me and my wife visited Parys Mountain on 23/7/26, I had heard about it previously and had seen some photographs of the area. Seeing the place first hand though was breathtaking, the amazing colours and shapes all around were wonderful to take in. I also marveled at how back in the 18/19th centuries they were able to excavate on a scale so vast. Now, nearly two centuries on the area is being colonized by plant life and wildlife which adds to its beauty."
However, some detractors felt the weird landscape looked like a "chemical hazard" and one said it was "just a big hole with a two hour walk around it." It is important to note that you need to be careful around the water, especially if taking dogs, which must be kept on leads at all times, as it is toxic with dissolved copper and must not be entered.
What appears to be universally appreciated is the fact the whole place is free to visit, including the big free visitor car park just off the main road.
How to get there
The Mynydd Parys Mountain heritage trail and car park can be found on the B5111 road, 2km south of Amlwch. The postcode for sat nav is LL68 9RE. Amlwch is at the far northern end of Anglesey, which is around a two hour drive from Manchester.
