Latest News: Read more



Shell with name in Welsh and EnglishWales Coast Path

Anglesey, Bridgend, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Glamorgan, Gwynedd, Monmouthshire, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Swansea

1386 km / 861 miles
The Wales Coast Path (WCP) opened on 5 May 2012. The path provides a continuous walking route around the whole coast of Wales - from the outskirts of Chester in the north to Chepstow in the south. It is as near to the coast as legally and physically practicable, sometimes going inland, taking into account estuaries and the needs of health and safety, land management and conservation, and with parts still under development with continued funding, in places to secure closer access to the coast. Unlike the England Coast Path that is under development, the Wales Coast Path is not a National Trail and so may not meet the same standards.

The Welsh coastline has many contrasts: from cliff top strolls to estuarine wanders, picturesque fishing villages to vibrant cities, industrial heritage to unconquered castles, desolate windswept beaches to bustling seasides. The Wales Coast Path not only takes you through the Welsh landscape, it takes you through its heritage and its communities. The North Wales coast is a mixture of wonderful sandy beaches and family friendly towns and villages. Anglesey has world class geology and picturesque beaches and the island is linked to the mainland by the Menai Suspension Bridge built in 1826 by Thomas Telford. With the Snowdonia National Park providing a mighty natural backdrop, around the Llŷn Peninsula, there are small fishing villages, estuaries and miles of sandy beaches. From the dunes of Ynyslas in the north to the historic market town of Cardigan in the south, the majestic sweep of Cardigan Bay affords the walker glimpses of dolphins and porpoise, seals and a host of marine birds. The Ceredigion Heritage Coast has picturesque seaside towns and villages and stunning beaches. The Pembrokeshire Coast is a National Park and has wildlife rich islands. The Path (which has National Trail status here) passes through some of Britain's most spectacular scenery, including 58 beaches and 14 harbours and the UK's smallest city - St Davids. Carmarthen Bay is a coastline of great contrasts and takes in a range of habitats including fresh water marshes, salt marshes, sand dunes, pine forests and coastal commons all supporting a spectacular array of flora and fauna. Set within the bay is Pembrey Country Park - 500 acres of landscaped woods and parkland leading down to the little harbour of Burry Port. From the busy seaside city of Swansea to the stunning coastline of the Gower Peninsula with its award winning golden beaches, the area is home to 10 nature reserves, 24 Wildlife Trust reserves, 32 Sites of Special Scientific Interest and five Special Areas of Conservation. The final southerly coastline takes in city landscapes, village life and magnificent views of the Severn estuary (the estuary has the second highest tidal range in the world at 49 feet and is home to the Severn bore).

The Wales Coast Path has its own waymark. The coastal path uses many existing promoted walking routes, also waymarked in their own right, and listed below as linked pages, as well as some new sections. Existing walking routes included the Pembrokeshire, Gower, Llŷn and Ceredigion coastal routes. In addition to the coastal route, the land border with England is approximated by Offa's Dyke Path, enabling a full circuit of Wales on promoted footpath routes. Outline mapping of all of the full Coast Path and the existing routes is provided on this website using the Show Map links and their side menus for connected and related paths.

The Ramblers have been involved in developing the route locally, and the inaugural Big Welsh Walk which celebrated the launch of the Wales Coast Path was coordinated by Ramblers Cymru (Wales) in 2012, with over 5,500 people walking, and it was repeated from 4-6 May 2013. The Minister had earlier opened a 20 mile stretch of coast path between Llandudno and Prestatyn, a challenging 4.5 mile section from Pendine in Carmarthenshire to the start of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path at Amroth, and a boardwalk in Porthcawl that has been designed to facilitate disabled access.

Many guidebooks have been published for the various sections of the Path.

UPDATE November 2022 - An announcement* on 21st October 2022 from gov.wales was that the 1826 Menai suspension bridge connecting the mainland of Wales and the island of Anglesey would be closed to 'all traffic' from that date for 'structural strengthening work'. This work is scheduled to take a possible 14 to 16 weeks, with the bridge re-opening in early 2023. The closure would have affected both the Wales Coast Path and the O Fon i Fynwy path, as they make use of the bridge's pedestrian walkway. However, the same announcement says that the footway has been re-opened for 'pedestrians and dismounted cyclists'. So both LDPs remain open across the bridge while other traffic is diverted to the Brittania Bridge.
* https://gov.wales/menai-bridge-closes-essential-maintenance-work

UPDATE July 2023 - Due to “continuing formation of deep sinkholes” on a road section (The Quays) by the Power Station at Baglan Bay, near Port Talbot, the coastal route along Aberavon Sands has been closed off at grid reference SS 731931. A diversion is in place “until further notice” around the perimeter of an industrial estate. (An inland WCP variant, which omits Aberavon Sands and the Power Station, runs between the A48 over Cleveland Bridge and Port Talbot docks.)

UPDATE June 2023 / September 2023 - Network Rail has announced that the Barmouth Viaduct will be closed to pedestrians from 31st August 2023 to 24 November 2023 for the final phase of restoration.
December 10th 2023 - Barmouth Viaduct has re-opened.

23rd November 2023: The Wales Coast Path is closed and diverted due to riverbank / estuary coast erosion on the River Taf between near Laugharne (SN 305109) and Delacorse (SN 307122). The closure is listed as “until further notice”.

For information on other temporary WCP diversions see https://www.walescoastpath.gov.uk/latest-news/temporary-path-diversions/?lang=en


Strider News - December 2023 (Publication Update)

Set of four 1:40,000 maps available from Harvey Maps


Details:

Waymark: Shell with name in Welsh and English
Path Type: Paths Marked on OS mapping
Waymark: Shell with name in Welsh and English
Attributes: Challenging
Coastal
Start: SJ386655 - North side of River Dee, near Chester on Wales/England Border, Flintshire View on StreetMap
Finish: ST536943 - Chepstow, Monmouthshire View on StreetMap
Open Date: 2012
Web Sites: Wales Coast Path Chester Station Canal Link Wales Coast Path - Vale of Glamorgan British Walks - Coast Walk [blog] Conwy County Borough Council - Wales Coast Path Independent Hostels UK - Wales Coast Path Accommodation Visit Monmouthshire - Wales Coast Path Welsh Government - Wales Coast Path Trailplanner - Wales Coast Path / Llwybr Arfordir Cymru [blog] History Points - Wales Coast Path tour Long Walks - The Cambrian Way, Wales Coast Path, Snowdonia Slate Trail

Publications, Badges and Certificates:

Guidebook Walking the Wales Coast Path: Llwybr Arfordir Cymru  (Cicerone Press  - 2022 )
Guidebook Wales Coast Path official guide : North Wales coast : Chester to Bangor  (Northern Eye Books  - 2018 )
Guidebook Wales Coast Path official guide : Llyn Peninsula : Bangor to Porthmadog  (Northern Eye Books  - 2016 )
Guidebook Wales Coast Path official guide : Snowdonia & Ceredigion coast : Porthmadog to Cardigan  (Northern Eye Books  - 2017 )
Guidebook Wales Coast Path official guide : Pembrokeshire : Cardigan to Amroth  (Northern Eye Books  - 2021 )
Guidebook Wales Coast Path official guide : Carmarthen Bay & Gower : Tenby to Swansea  (Northern Eye Books  - 2021 )
Guidebook Wales Coast Path official guide : South Wales coast : Swansea to Chepstow  (Northern Eye Books  - 2017 )
Guidebook Pembrokeshire Coast Path  (Trailblazer  - 2021 )
Guidebook Ceredigion and Snowdonia coast paths : the Wales Coast Path from Porthmadog to St Dogmaels  (Cicerone Press  - 2014 )
Guidebook Pembrokeshire Coast Path : National Trail Guide  (Aurum Press (an imprint of Quarto)  - 2017 )
Guidebook Wales Coast Path : Tenby-Swansea: National Trail Guide  (Aurum Press (an imprint of Quarto)  - 2013 )
Guidebook Wales Coast Path : a practical guide for walkers (2nd edition)  (Christopher Goddard  - 2020 )
External download Wales Coast Path & North Wales Path  (Conwy County Borough Council  - 2012 ) Download
Guidebook Ceredigion Coast Path  (Ceredigion Tourism Service  - 2008 )
Guidebook Lleyn Peninsula Coastal Path  (Mike Salter  - March 2013 )
Guidebook Carmarthenshire Coastal Trail  (Mike Salter  - 2008 )
General Interest Book I may be gone for some time : one man's story of his 5,000 mile trek around the British mainland coast  (Vertebrate Publishing  - 2016 )
General Interest Book Welsh wander : an epic trek right around Wales  (Y Lolfa  - 2017 )
External download Gower and Swansea Bay  (Natural Resources Wales  - 2013 ) Download
General Interest Book Wales at water's edge  (Gomer  - 2012 )
Guidebook Walking the Isle of Anglesey coastal path  (Northern Eye Books  - 2018 )

Click to showhide 17 more Publications, Badges and Certificates


Maps:

You can use the interactive controls to zoom in and out and to move around the map, or click on a path or a marker for more info.(interactive map help)

Show Connected Path Outlines
National Trails (England & Wales)
Paths Marked on OS mapping
Other Paths
Anytime Challenges

Show Accommodation
Hostel Accommodation
Bunk House

Show Points of Interest
Walkers are Welcome

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2016.
© OpenStreetMap contributors under Open Database Licence.
Rights of way data from selected Local Authorities.
Large scale digital mapping is provided by John Thorn.
At high zoom levels the route is indicative only.
Purchase Ordnance Survey Maps:
OS Landranger 114, 115, 116, 117, 123, 124, 135, 145, 146, 157, 158, 159, 162, 170, 171, 172
OS Landranger Active 114, 115, 116, 117, 123, 124, 135, 145, 146, 157, 158, 159, 162, 170, 171, 172
OS Explorer 14, 17, 18, 23, 35, 36, 151, 152, 154, 164, 165, 167, 177, 178, 198, 199, 213, 253, 254, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266
OS Explorer Active 14, 17, 18, 23, 35, 36, 151, 152, 154, 164, 165, 167, 177, 178, 198, 199, 213, 253, 254, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266
Other Paper Maps:
ZigZag 16 Stripmap
Wales Coast Path 1: Lache to Ffynnongroyw (Yellow Publications - Oct 2016)
ZigZag 16 Stripmap
Wales Coast Path 2: Ffynnongroyw to Rhos-on-Sea (Yellow Publications - Oct 2016)
Map (Other)
Map (Other)
Harvey National Trail map
Harvey National Trail map
Harvey National Trail map
Harvey National Trail map

Click to show 5 more Other Paper Maps


Walking Support Providers:

Support Providers
Guided and Self-Guided Walking Holidays (Anglesey Walking Holidays)
Support Providers
Self-Guided Walking Holidays (Wales Walking Holidays)
Support Providers
Baggage Handling and Self Guided Walks (Celtic Trails Walking Holidays)
Support Providers
Self-Guided Walking Holidays (Edge of Wales Walk)
Support Providers
Guided Walking Holidays (Footpath Holidays)
Support Providers
Self-Guided Walking Holidays (Contours Holidays)

Click to show 3 more Walking Support Providers


Accommodation within 5 km of this Path:

 
 
From
Path
Along
Path
Hostel Accommodation
3 km
< 1 km
Walkers are Welcome
2 km
25 km
Walkers are Welcome
1 km
47 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
79 km
Hostel Accommodation
1 km
93 km
Walkers are Welcome
< 1 km
107 km
Bunk House
< 1 km
107 km
Bunk House
< 1 km
253 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
253 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
264 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
350 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
350 km
Bunk House
2 km
469 km
Bunk House
4 km
517 km
Bunk House
3 km
529 km
Bunk House
2 km
555 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
607 km
Hostel Accommodation
1 km
631 km
Bunk House
1 km
640 km
Hostel Accommodation
4 km
642 km
Walkers are Welcome
3 km
720 km
Walkers are Welcome
< 1 km
721 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
726 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
746 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
765 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
781 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
795 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
797 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
814 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
883 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
883 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
913 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
985 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
1050 km
Bunk House
2 km
1152 km
Bunk House
< 1 km
1155 km
Bunk House
< 1 km
1159 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
1166 km
Bunk House
< 1 km
1166 km
Bunk House
< 1 km
1169 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
1195 km
Bunk House
< 1 km
1197 km
Walkers are Welcome
< 1 km
1385 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
1385 km

Click to show 46 more Accommodations


Additional Images:


Connected Paths:

Anytime Challenges

Downloads:

Reminder: Material downloaded from this website is for personal use only. Commercial use, reproduction, modification of all content is strictly prohibited without prior approval by the LDWA. Please Contact Us if you have any requests.

GPX Route File
Wales Coast Path GPX Exchange Format Route File
Last Updated 04/09/2021 21:49:10
Login to Download
(Members Only)
MemoryMap Route File
Wales Coast Path Memory Map Route File
Last Updated 04/09/2021 21:49:10
Login to Download
(Members Only)
Tracklogs Route File
Wales Coast Path Tracklogs Route File
Last Updated 04/09/2021 21:50:13
Login to Download
(Members Only)

Route Profile:

1371.0 km (851.9 miles)
29,041 m (95,279 ft) ascent
352 m (1,155 ft)  maximum height

This website uses cookies

To comply with EU Directives we are informing you that our website uses cookies for services such as memberships and Google Analytics.

Your data is completely safe and we do not record any personally identifiable information.

Please click the button to acknowledge and approve our use of cookies during your visit.

Learn more about the Cookie Law