Walks on the Wales Coast Path
870 miles of continuous coastal path
Wales is the largest country in the world with a continuous path around its entire coast. The long-distance Wales Coast Path offers 870 miles/1440 kilometres of unbroken coastal walking, from the outskirts of the walled Roman and medieval city of Chester in the north to the market town of Chepstow, with its clifftop riverside castle, in the south.
In fact, the Wales Coast Path runs through 1 Marine Nature Reserve, 2 National Parks, 3 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 11 National Nature Reserves, 14 Heritage Coasts, and 23 Historic Landscapes. Large stretches of coast are also managed and protected by Wildlife Trusts, the RSPB and the National Trust. And, to cap it all, the Wales Coast Path links up with the long-distance Offa’s Dyke path at either end: creating a complete, 1,030 mile circuit of the whole of Wales.
Long or short walks?
Whether you choose to walk the whole coast path in one go, in occasional sections, or a few miles at a time, you’re in for a real treat. There’s something new around every corner, and you’ll discover plenty of amazing places that can only be reached on foot. Visually stunning and rich in both history and wildlife, the coast path promises ever-changing views, soaring cliffs and spacious beaches, sea caves and arches, wildflowers, seabirds, seals, whales and dolphins, as well as castles, cromlechs, saltmarshes, coves and coastal pubs. It’s a genuinely special landscape.
“The Wales Coast Path took me on an amazing, ever-changing coastal adventure. I promise, you’ll never look at Wales in the same light again.”
Steve Webb, early end-to-end walker, June 2012
Official Guides to the Wales Coast Path
The Official Guidebooks for the Wales Coast Path break the complete path down into seven main sections each of which is then sub-divided into carefully-planned ‘Day Sections’ — usually averaging around 10-15 miles each. These typically start and finish either in, or near easy-to-reach towns, villages or settlements, many of them on bus routes, and with shops, pubs, restaurants, cafes and places to stay nearby.
The Official Guides are the only series of guidebooks recognised by Natural Resources Wales – the creators and managers of the Path – and contain everything walkers need to walk and enjoy the Wales Coast Path.
Best short circular walks on the Wales Coast Path
The hugely popular, pocket-sized Top 10 Walks series explore the best circular walks along the popular 870-mile Wales Coast Path. These handy little books give walkers the ten finest routes in each area, in an attractive, highly-illustrated, full colour, A6 format. There will eventually be ten books, each covering a key section of the Wales Coast Path.
Current titles in the Top Ten Walks: Wales Coast Path series include: Llyn Peninsula, Cardigan Bay North, Ceredigion Coast, Pembrokeshire North, Pembrokeshire South, and Carmarthen Bay & Gower.
Useful websites
www.visitwales.com/things-to-do/activities/walking…/wales-coast-path
www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Wales+Coast+Path
