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Why we love the Wales Coast Path

This isn’t just a walking trail – it’s the route to adventure, culture, wildlife and more. Encircling the entire shore of its namesake nation, the Wales Coast Path serves up 870 miles (1,400km) of breathtaking sea views, glorious beaches, wildflower-topped cliffs and charming harbour villages. From Snowdonia’s peaks and the south’s thriving cities, to Pembrokeshire’s wildlife-filled islands and Anglesey’s historic gems, each section has its own charms – and there are countless ways to explore.

For most hikers, the whole trail takes around two months to complete (in either direction), but its shorter walks are just as rewarding. Use them as a starting point to discover the treasures of coastal Wales: from surfing, sailing and swimming, to horseriding on beaches and cycling through forests.

You don’t have to be a long-distance hiker to enjoy the Wales Coast Path: wildlife lovers, thrill seekers, day trippers – this one’s for you.

Things to do on the Wales Coast Path

The UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this ecologically fascinating place boasts the drama of limestone cliffs that dip into miles of golden, sandy beaches.

Find out more about Gower Peninsula

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Panoramic view over the coastline and the sandy beach
Gower Peninsula

Experience the thrill of the world’s fastest zip wire, try out surfing or steer a canoe through the crashing rapids at one of Britain’s adventure capitals.

Discover Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park

VisitBritain/Ben Selway

Couple hiking in the mountains on a cloudy day
Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park

Though it has 2,000 years of history to discover, Cardiff Castle is also bang up to date – hosting festivals and events galore.

Plan your visit to Cardiff Castle

VisitBritain/Alex Major

Man looking out at the castle view
Cardiff Castle

With over 125 miles of unspoilt coastline, Anglesey is an outdoor playground for watersports.

Find out more about Anglesey

VisitBritain/Nadir Khan

Mountain bikers on rocks on coastline looking at sunset.
Anglesey

Walkers, wakeboarders and wildlife lovers will love the unspoilt beauty of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Discover Llŷn

Crown Copyright

North Wales

Aerial view of the Llŷn Peninsula, Wales
Llŷn Peninsula

Green Man Festival

15th - 18th August 2024

Feel the beat of Wales’ Green Man Festival with live music, literature and arts that’ll satisfy any party-goer.

Get into the groove of Green Man Festival

Nici Eberl

Group of people standing around large sculpture
Green Man Festival

Think riotous crowds and eardrum-piercing bands – playing goth, punk, psychedelia, thrash-metal and more.

More about Cardiff Psych & Noise Fest

Getty Images/Flashpop

Girl with dyed hair, smiling, dancing with a group of people
Cardiff Psych & Noise Fest

More than 700 years old, Caernarfon Castle towers over the River Seiont in North Wales and among its turrets and settings is ram-packed with events.

Visit Caernarfon Castle

VisitBritain/Lee Beel

Row boats in a moat surrounding a castle
Caernarfon Castle

Priding itself on creating bespoke spirits, join a gin tasting or gin making experience to uncover the secrets of the botanics.

Discover the flavours of In the Welsh Wind Distillery

inthewelshwind

In The Welsh Wind Distillery
In The Welsh Wind Distillery

Found less than a mile off the Pembrokeshire coast, head to Skomer to watch wildlife including puffins, seals and razorbills.

Book your visit to Skomer Island

Drew Buckley

WVW-E33-2223-073
Skomer Island

Take a sea-breezy walk on the pier, and explore 700 years of history at Beaumaris Castle.

Plan your trip to Beaumaris

VisitBritain/Lee Beel

A shop window and a number of wooden signs.
Beaumaris

Visitors of all faiths are welcome here, and it attracts thousands of Christian worshippers every year.

See St Davids Cathedral

dmlovatt

St Davids
St Davids Cathedral

This is a landscape of countless adventures: think coasteering, cycling, boat trips, camping and hiking.

Explore Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
SVW-C10-1516-0061
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Join a foraging tour for a low-impact supper, or follow the bee-utiful St Davids Pollinator Trail.

More about Sustainability in St Davids
WCP_ST JUSTINIANS 1
Sustainability in St Davids

Craving adventure? This award-winning enterprise offers climbing, coasteering, tree climbing, abseiling and more.

Discover the Down to Earth Project

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Panoramic view over the coastline and the sandy beach
Down to Earth Project

The UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this ecologically fascinating place boasts the drama of limestone cliffs that dip into miles of golden, sandy beaches.

Find out more about Gower Peninsula

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Panoramic view over the coastline and the sandy beach
Gower Peninsula

Experience the thrill of the world’s fastest zip wire, try out surfing or steer a canoe through the crashing rapids at one of Britain’s adventure capitals.

Discover Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park

VisitBritain/Ben Selway

Couple hiking in the mountains on a cloudy day
Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park

Though it has 2,000 years of history to discover, Cardiff Castle is also bang up to date – hosting festivals and events galore.

Plan your visit to Cardiff Castle

VisitBritain/Alex Major

Man looking out at the castle view
Cardiff Castle

With over 125 miles of unspoilt coastline, Anglesey is an outdoor playground for watersports.

Find out more about Anglesey

VisitBritain/Nadir Khan

Mountain bikers on rocks on coastline looking at sunset.
Anglesey

Walkers, wakeboarders and wildlife lovers will love the unspoilt beauty of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Discover Llŷn

Crown Copyright

North Wales

Aerial view of the Llŷn Peninsula, Wales
Llŷn Peninsula

Green Man Festival

15th - 18th August 2024

Feel the beat of Wales’ Green Man Festival with live music, literature and arts that’ll satisfy any party-goer.

Get into the groove of Green Man Festival

Nici Eberl

Group of people standing around large sculpture
Green Man Festival

Think riotous crowds and eardrum-piercing bands – playing goth, punk, psychedelia, thrash-metal and more.

More about Cardiff Psych & Noise Fest

Getty Images/Flashpop

Girl with dyed hair, smiling, dancing with a group of people
Cardiff Psych & Noise Fest

More than 700 years old, Caernarfon Castle towers over the River Seiont in North Wales and among its turrets and settings is ram-packed with events.

Visit Caernarfon Castle

VisitBritain/Lee Beel

Row boats in a moat surrounding a castle
Caernarfon Castle

Priding itself on creating bespoke spirits, join a gin tasting or gin making experience to uncover the secrets of the botanics.

Discover the flavours of In the Welsh Wind Distillery

inthewelshwind

In The Welsh Wind Distillery
In The Welsh Wind Distillery

Found less than a mile off the Pembrokeshire coast, head to Skomer to watch wildlife including puffins, seals and razorbills.

Book your visit to Skomer Island

Drew Buckley

WVW-E33-2223-073
Skomer Island

Take a sea-breezy walk on the pier, and explore 700 years of history at Beaumaris Castle.

Plan your trip to Beaumaris

VisitBritain/Lee Beel

A shop window and a number of wooden signs.
Beaumaris

Visitors of all faiths are welcome here, and it attracts thousands of Christian worshippers every year.

See St Davids Cathedral

dmlovatt

St Davids
St Davids Cathedral

This is a landscape of countless adventures: think coasteering, cycling, boat trips, camping and hiking.

Explore Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
SVW-C10-1516-0061
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Join a foraging tour for a low-impact supper, or follow the bee-utiful St Davids Pollinator Trail.

More about Sustainability in St Davids
WCP_ST JUSTINIANS 1
Sustainability in St Davids

Craving adventure? This award-winning enterprise offers climbing, coasteering, tree climbing, abseiling and more.

Discover the Down to Earth Project

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Panoramic view over the coastline and the sandy beach
Down to Earth Project

Places to stay on the Wales Coast Path

Cardiff

The Welsh capital sits right on the Coast Path, so you can walk a quick snippet – such as the circular route around Cardiff Bay – while enjoying a city break too.

The North Coast

With its train links to towns and villages all along the Wales Coast Path (plus Chester, Liverpool and Manchester), this region is a brilliant base.

Anglesey

As well as beautiful walks on the Wales Coast Path, this island is rich in wildlife, adventure and quaint places to stay – including B&Bs, hotels and campsites. 

Explore nearby

From The Beatles to Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Liverpool is a UNESCO City of Music with seriously cool credentials.

Oh Me Oh My

Liverpool

Rooftop of Oh me oh my restaurant in Liverpool

Cool creative Bristol is a must-see for art, culture and action-packed adventure.

VisitBritain/Rod Edwards

Lit up hot air balloons and fireworks in the night sky

World-class football and a music scene that brought Oasis to centre stage – there’s lots to love about Manchester.

VisitBritain/Manchester Craft Beer Festival

DJ playing to groups of people at Manchester Craft Beer Festival, in Depot Mayfield, Manchester

Looming peaks over thick forests, sheep-grazed valleys and open moors - adventure awaits in Wales.

Nici Eberl

Crowd at the Green Man Festival in front of the stage

Getting to the Wales Coast Path

The Wales Coast Path stretches between Chester (in the north) and Chepstow (in the south) – both of which have good bus and train stations. If you want to walk from Chester, the closest international airport is in Liverpool (a 40-minute drive away); if you’re destined for Chepstow, Cardiff Airport is the most convenient (one hour). Various towns along the path also have direct rail links with the likes of Birmingham, Manchester and Cheltenham.

Getting around

Don’t fancy walking the entire Wales Coast Path? No problem: simply catch the train or bus to a spot within walking distance of your accommodation, and spend the day hiking ‘home’. Planning is essential, so ensure you have the latest OS map or guidebook for the trail, and follow the official safety guidance from the Countryside Code. If you’re hiking long-distance, book a luggage transfer company to carry your bags.

By bus

The Wales Coast Path is well connected by buses – even on remote stretches such as Anglesey and Pembrokeshire. Visit traveline.cymru for timetables.

By train

Trains serve the north and south coasts of Wales, as well as parts of Cardigan Bay (north of Aberystwyth), with stations along most of the Coast Path.

By bike

The Coast Path’s bike-friendly sections include those near Swansea, Gower, Llandudno and Caernarfon, and there are dedicated cycle routes nearby too.

Want to know more?

For more travel tips and exciting things to do, visit the official Wales Coast Path website.