Perfect Welsh walking plans 1
There’s a new road trip round the edge of Wales – and it’s perfect for accessing amazing walks…
T HE WALES WAY is a new trio of scenic drives designed to show off as much of Wales’ incredible countryside and coast as possible. It breaks down into three amazing drives: the
Cambrian Way, a 185-mile journey through Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons along the mountainous spine of the country; the North Wales Way, a 75-mile route taking in the north coast’s ancient history and UNESCO heritage sites; and the Coastal Way, a 180-mile west seaside route around Cardigan Bay, from Aberdaron on the tip of the Llŷn Peninsula to the tiny city of St Davids. With the summer sun still shining, here are the five best walks along the route of the Coastal Way…
ABERDARON
Distance: 8 ½ miles (13.5km) Duration: 4 hours
Start and End: National Trust car park at Aberdaron, grid ref SH172264
Summary: There’s plenty of coastline to enjoy on this invigorating walk along the east, Lly^ south and west sides of then Peninsula, before cutting back inland through farmland to complete the loop. Early on, you’ll take in Porth Meudwy, a small fishing cove that was once the departure point for pilgrims making the journey to Bardsey Island. Modern-day pilgrims will instead be blessed with sightings of seabirds, seals and colourful heathland plants, as well as a wonderfully rugged coastline. Aberdaron itself is famed for its seafood, so a crab salad in one the village’s friendly cafés or pubs might be just the thing…
LLANBEDR
Distance: 10 miles (16.2 km) Duration: 5 hours
Start and End: Car park on road to Llanbedr station, grid ref SH581269
Summary: Starting and ending in the slate mining village of Llanbedr, there’s plenty to enjoy on this full-day hike. You’ll encounter a vast range of landscapes, including riverside paths along the River Artro, wild woodland trails, sand dunes and the great swathe of Llandanwg beach, with fine views of Tremadog Bay and the Rhinog mountains. You can also explore Harlech Castle, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site dedicated to the castles built by Edward I, as well as the medieval church of St Tanwg – known as ‘the church in the sand’ as it sits in the dunes behind Llandanwg beach.
CADAIR IDRIS
Distance: 6 miles (9.2km) Duration: 2-3 hours
Start and End: Car park at Ty-nant, grid ref SH697152
Summary: Legend says that anyone who spends the night on Cadair Idris will wake up next morning either as a poet or as a madman. You don’t need to take the risk though, as getting up and down in one day is easily achievable on the Pony Path (or Llwybr Pilin Pwn), the most straightforward of the walks up this spectacular peak. Heading up to Penygadair, the mountain’s summit, from the Dolgellau side of the mountain, the Pony Path provides some of the most spectacular views of Cader’s surroundings. (You can turn it into a loop by using the Fox’s Path via Llyn y Gadair, but it involves a steep scree slope on the upper section; many walkers simply go up and down on the Pony Path to avoid the hassle.)
LLANGRANNOG TO NEW QUAY
Distance: 9 ½ miles (15km) Duration: 3-4 hours
Start and End: Car park in Llangrannog, grid ref SN316538
Summary: This walk takes in one of the finest sections of the Ceredigion Coast Path, with striking views of the tiny island of Ynys Lochtyn and a dramatic path cut into the coastal slope. You’ll also pass the folded rock formations of Cwm Soden and the former coastguard station at Birds Rock, which is a great viewpoint for spotting marine wildlife; you might even spot dolphins out in the bay. New Quay was the home of poet Dylan Thomas, and is said to have been the inspiration for the rudely-reversed village of Llareggub in his radio drama Under Milk Wood. You can finish with some ‘liquid inspiration’ at some of the same pubs Thomas was known to frequent, including the Black Lion.
ST DAVIDS TO WHITESANDS
Distance: 12 miles (19km) Duration: 6 hours
Start and End: Car park near St Davids visitor centre, grid ref SM753254.
Summary: St Davids is the UK’s smallest city (it’s not much larger than a village), and this walk takes you out from its beautiful streets and north-westwards to Whitesands Bay, one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in the country and a favourite with surfers. Much of it follows clifftop paths as you head along the south-western tip of the peninsula, alongside the Ramsey Sound. St Davids Head, above Whitesands, is a worthwhile detour, because it’s home to the Coetan Arthur dolmen, the remains of a Neolithic burial chamber dating back to around 3000 BC.