Wales Coast Path

Understand

This trail offers a deep dive into Welsh maritime history and natural beauty, passing through eleven nature reserves, two national parks (Snowdonia and the Pembrokeshire Coast), and five national landscapes: the Clwydian Range, Anglesey, the Llŷn Peninsula, the Gower Peninsula and the Wye Valley. As well as providing impressive coastal scenery, the path takes in the country's capital, Cardiff, and three other important cities: Swansea, Newport and Bangor. There are a number of historic castles and bridges to see and explore along the way. The Welsh coast has over 30 beaches designated Blue Flag quality. The trail was formed by joining together facilities and resources from 16 local government authorities, two national parks and Natural Resources Wales. Some areas already had established paths, such as the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path and the Llŷn Coastal Path. New sections of trail joined these together to complete the entire route. The path takes you along some stunning cliffs and long sandy and stony beaches as well as some wide river estuaries. The rocky coastline and large river estuaries provide excellent birdwatching opportunities, with good chances of seeing cormorants, puffins and many waders. If you are lucky you may also see bottlenose dolphins, otters and grey seals. While most of the trail is really suitable only for walkers, some specific paved sections are adapted for cyclists, families with pushchairs, and those with restricted mobility.

Getting there

The north trailhead is on the Chester Canal just over the English border. From a small park called 1 The Cop (¾-mile walk from Chester Cathedral), follow the canal towpath signed as the Dee Coastal Path for 1 mile, until you reach the border and the official start of the Wales Coast Path. The southern end is at 2 Chepstow Riverside on the banks of the River Wye. From the Town Gate, descend High Street and Bridge Street ½ mile to the Chepstow Bridge. Instead of crossing the bridge into England, turn right onto The Back, a short riverside path that leads you to the Wales Coast Path end marker.

On foot If 870 miles is not long enough for you, a circular walk can be made by adding the Offa's Dyke Path which connects with both ends of the coastal path providing a full circle of the country.

By plane The closest main international airports are 3 Manchester Airport (MAN IATA) and 4 Birmingham Airport (BHX IATA). Both have flights from across Europe, Asia, and North America. 5 Cardiff Airport (CWL IATA) and especially 6 Bristol Airport (BRS IATA) have a range of European flights while 7 Anglesey Airport (VLY IATA) just has a domestic service from Cardiff.

By car From England, the M56 will get you to the northern end of the trail while the M4-M48 Severn Bridge will get you to the southern end. The M4, A48 and A40 serve much of Wales's south coast, the A55 follows the north coast and the A487 and A470 link them up along the west coast. If you can, bring two cars, to park at each end of a day's hike.

By train Chester is a rail hub for North Wales and North West England, receiving trains from London Euston, Manchester, Liverpool, Crewe, Wrexham and Holyhead, among many others. The station is a 2-mile walk to the trailhead, or just over 1 mile to The Cop park described above. Chepstow is on the line from Newport to Gloucester, and also receives trains from Cardiff Central. The start of the trail is ½ mile from the station. Cardiff and Swansea are on the main line fro

Go next

Head inland:

Offa's Dyke Path is a popular walking route through the border regions of England and Wales. The dyke itself (Clawdd Offa in Welsh) has partially disappeared in places, although in the parts where it is preserved. All of Offa’s Dyke Path follows legally defined Rights of Way for all walkers and is clearly signed with an acorn symbol. Some sections are also available for horse riders and cyclists. Snowdonia National Park, stunning maintain, and glacial valley landscape. Brecon Beacons National Park the Black Mountain as well as a vast array of moorland, forests, valleys, waterfalls, lakes, caves and gorges. Pennine Way 429 mi (690 km) walk running the spine of England from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders Coast To Coast Walk a 190-mile long-distance walking trail in England which crosses the North of England from St Bees in Cumbria on the West coast to Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire on the East coast. Move on to the English coast, such as the:

Cumbria Coastal Way - from Lancashire to the Scottish border. South West Coast Path - 630 mi (1,010 km), running from Minehead in Somerset, along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall, to Poole Harbour in Dorset. Or explore the continental coastline

E9 European Coast Path Portugal to Estonia.