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.

Prepare

While digital navigation is the modern standard, you might prefer the reliability of paper Ordnance Survey maps for this route. Hiking footwear is recommended, alongside waterproof sandals or equivalent gear for sand and rock pools. Waterproof clothing is mandatory even on sunny days, as the Welsh climate is famously wet and unpredictable. While much of the path involves stiles and steep gradients, some sections (like those sharing National Cycle Route 5) are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. When planning places to stay, check with the hotels if they are prepared to transfer your luggage; there are also a number of companies that provide luggage transfer services so you do not need to carry everything in a heavy backpack.

Eat As many of the towns along the way are tourist destinations, there are ample opportunities to sample pub lunches and seafood. You do not need to carry a camping stove or heavy food supplies. Don't miss the chance to taste Welsh lamb or laverbread, which is made from seaweed. There is generally a town or small village at least every 10 miles (16 km) along the coast, and even the smallest of Welsh villages seem to have a Spar shop for daily snacks and supplies.

Drink Tap water in Wales is of high quality and safe to drink, so you can easily refill bottles at your accommodations or in towns. A small rucksack with enough drinking water for 10 to 20 miles should be enough for most stretches. If there are restaurants and cafés along your specific route, you can rely on those for refreshments. Avoid drinking from wild streams due to potential agricultural runoff.

Sleep Check the town pages along the route for hotels, bed and breakfast guest houses and caravan/camp-sites. A number of interesting places to sleep are available, including a couple of lighthouses converted into hotels. During peak summer months, reservations are highly recommended. While there are many organized campsites, be aware that wild camping is generally not permitted without the express permission of the landowner.

Climate For its latitude, Wales has a mild maritime climate. However, the winter can be a little cold and windy for hiking, and at any time of t

Get in

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 from London Paddington. Aberystwyth and some of the west coast towns can be reached from Birmingham New Street and Shrewsbury, while the north coast towns can be reached via the North Wales Coast Line fr

Walk

The Dee Estuary

You might begin your journey by exploring the English city of 1 Chester, where medieval streets of timber-framed shops connect sandstone landmarks like 1 Chester Cathedral and 2 Chester Roman Amphitheatre. The trail begins some two miles west of the city via the Dee towpath at the 8 Wales/England border, where a stone monolith marks the official start of the 870-mile Wales Coast Path. From here, the trail follows the embankment of the River Dee along a flat, paved shared-use path. You will soon enter 2 Queensferry and pass under the 3 Blue Bridge, a 1927 bascule bridge that serves as a local landmark. The path continues through the industrial landscape of 3 Shotton, following the "New Cut" of the river. As you head west, the industry gives way to the vast salt marshes of the Dee Estuary. The path leads directly to 4 Flint, where you can explore the ruins of 4 Flint Castle. Built by Edward I of England starting in 1277 as part of his conquest of Wales, it features a unique detached keep and was the site where Richard II was famously betrayed and deposed by his cousin Henry Bolingbroke in 1399. Beyond Flint, the route passes the coastal villages of 5 Bagillt and 6 Greenfield, the latter of which provides access to the historic Basingwerk Abbey nearby. Continuing towards 7 Mostyn, you will spot the TSS Duke of Lancaster, a former passenger ferry, permanently docked at Llanerch-y-Mor. Known locally as the "Fun Ship", it has been an arcade, a bar and an outdoor art gallery, before settling on its current role as an abandoned wreck. The landscape becomes increasingly wild as you reach 8 Ffynnongroyw and the 5 Dee Estuary - Point of Ayr RSPB nature reserve. This is a critical habitat for overwintering birds like godwits and knots. Rounding the northernmost point of mainland Wales, you'll find the 6 Point of Ayr lighthouse rising from the sands of 9 Talacre. The final stretch follows the coast through the Gronant Dunes, the only place in Wales where little terns still breed, before arriving at the finish of this section in the seaside town of 10