Wales Coast Path

Walk the Wales Coast Path

The Wales Coast Path is an 870-mile / 1,400 km long-distance walking route following the coastline of Wales from the border with England near Chester to Chepstow on the River Wye. Opened in 2012, the path links beaches, cliffs, estuaries, islands, coastal villages, historic towns and cities as it makes its way around the country.

From the northern border, the route follows the North Wales coast through seaside towns and the landscapes around the Dee Estuary before continuing towards Conwy and the Menai Strait. The path then makes a complete circuit of Anglesey, returning to the mainland before continuing around the coast of the Llŷn Peninsula and into Cardigan Bay.

Heading south, the Wales Coast Path follows the coast through towns including Porthmadog, Barmouth, Aberystwyth and New Quay, which marks the official halfway point of the route. Beaches, estuaries, coastal hills and stretches of open countryside shape much of this central section as the trail continues through Ceredigion towards Pembrokeshire.

In Pembrokeshire, the route incorporates the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, following one of the most dramatic stretches of coastline in Wales through Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. High cliffs, small harbours, offshore islands, sandy beaches and coastal villages accompany the path around the peninsula before it continues east into Carmarthenshire.

The southern sections of the trail pass through Carmarthen Bay and around the Gower Peninsula, before continuing through Swansea Bay and along the increasingly urban coastline of South Wales. The route links coastal landscapes with towns, former industrial waterfronts and communities around the Bristol Channel, eventually passing through Cardiff and Newport.

Beyond Newport, the Wales Coast Path follows the Severn Estuary towards Chepstow, where the southern end of the route meets the border with England. Here walkers can connect with the Offa’s Dyke Path, which follows the Welsh border northwards and can be combined with the coast path to create a complete walking circuit around Wales.

Overview

Distance: 870 miles / 1,400 km
Typical duration: 6–12 weeks
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Start: Welsh border near Chester
Finish: Chepstow
Terrain: Beaches, clifftop paths, dunes, estuaries, promenades, coastal hills, farmland, woodland, towns and city waterfronts