Wales Coast Path – Visit Wales

Wales Coast Path

The Wales Coast Path (Llwybr Arfordir Cymru in Welsh) opened in May 2012 runs for 870 miles from Chepstow, in the south, to St Queensferry, in the north of the country. The Wales Coast Path made Wales the first country in the world to have a dedicated footpath close to most of its coastline. The path was a huge success from the start and added £32 million to the Welsh economy in twelve months alone.

The Wales Coast Path takes in some of the world’s top ranked beaches. Earlier this month, Harper’s Bazaar magazine rated Rhossili Bay as one of the world’s best ten beaches, alongside beaches in Brazil, Hawaii and the Seychelles. No small feat. Rhossili is located at the tip of the Gower Peninsula in Swansea. Other highly rated beaches in Wales include Tenby Bay, Marloes Sands, Stackpole and Abereiddy all in Pembrokeshire.

Our latest post features a shot which was taken along the in Pembrokeshire on the Wales Coast Path. Pembrokeshire was voted the second best coastal destination in the world by National Geographic in 2012. The shot was taken close to Abereiddy, popular with with hikers and outdoor sport aficionados alike.

The second picture was a taken along the same stretch of the Wales Coast Path. Not too long ago, in the early 1900s, slate was shuttled along this paradisaical stretch of the Pembrokeshire coast to the harbour at Porthgain. From Porthgain the slate was shipped to locations all over the world. Today, however, you are much more likely to run into awestruck ramblers than slate-filled trams on this section of the Wales Coast Path. Slate – visible in the picture – is a reminder to ramblers of the region’s recent history, as they sit on the bench at the peak of the mound. Taking a well-earned rest rest here, hikers meditate, contemplate life or simply take in the breathtaking view.

For more information on Rhossili Bay and surrounding areas, see the National Trust website. The Guardian feature a walk from Rhossili to Port Eynon in the Gower Peninsula with interactive map. Visit Wales also publish a list of ten short coast path walks which might inspire if you’re looking for ideas on where to get going on the Wales Coast Path.

Abereiddy and Porthgain, villages in Pembrokeshire on the Wales Coast Path are featured on the jfFrank online website.