Chester-Segontium Roman Road

The Roman road from Chester to Segontium runs across north Wales between the Roman fortress of Deva and the settlement of Segontium outside Caernarfon. Much of its early course follows today’s A55, especially between Chester and the River Clwyd. Historians believe construction began at the end of the first century AD and was completed in the following half-century. From Deva the road heads north-west to the banks of the Dee, crossing the river near the modern bridge outside Chester. Roman remains have been found near the road at Pentre in Flintshire. After skirting the Clwyd hills near Rhuallt the route continues west, crossing the Elwy and Clwyd rivers before reaching the Conwy valley near Eglwysbach. Beyond the Conwy it climbs low hills for about ten miles, avoiding marshy lowlands, then descends through foothills past ancient burial chambers such as Maen y Bardd to Bwlch-y-Ddeufaen. A Roman milestone bearing the name of Emperor Traianus Decius, dated 249–251 AD, was discovered near the Rhiwiau Uphill and is now in Segontium Museum. The road finally reaches the coast at Abergwyngregyn and runs close to the shore all the way to Segontium.