Wales Coast Path route, map, and day walks

WALES IS THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD with a continuous, official waymarked path around its entire coast.

Walk the Wales Coast Path (or Llwybr Arfordir Cymru, in Welsh): 870 miles/1400 kilometres of unbroken, unspoilt, coastal walking around the entire coast of Wales.

Interactive Wales Coast Path Map

Use our interactive map, detailed route information, official guidebooks and map atlases to plan your day walks, weekend trips or end-to-end journey along this iconic coastal path.

The breath-taking coastal route – from Chester to Chepstow – is split into seven main sections, each of which takes roughly a week to walk.

Key stretches of the Wales Coastal Path are accessible for bicycles, pushchairs and wheelchairs, too.

Together, they make the Wales Coast Path one of Europe’s best long-distance trails.

Best Wales Coast Path sections to walk

Beginning on the Dee estuary near Chester, the long distance Wales Coast Path hugs the North Wales Coast, passing ancient Flint and Conwy Castles and the spectacular Great Orme with its trams, rare blue butterflies and feral goats, to run along the Menai Strait.

Having circled the lovely Isle of Anglesey — much of which is a National Landscape (previously called Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty or AONBs) — the Path skips past medieval Caernarfon Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to round the remote Llŷn Peninsula with sacred Bardsey Island (The ‘Island of 20,000 saints’) at its tip. From Porthmadog, the Wales Coast Path pushes south, past the Italianate fantasy village of Portmeirion, along the coastal fringe of the mountainous Snowdonia National Park with its vast, half-wild estuaries, and on through Ceredigion and the long sweep of Cardigan Bay.

The Wales Coast Path then rounds Pembrokeshire — Britain’s only coastal National Park — on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. The Pembrokeshire coast is strikingly beautiful with rugged cliffs, sea arches, blow-holes, stacks and offshore islands. Striding through Carmarthenshire, the Welsh coastal path loops around the lovely Gower Peninsula (another worthy National Landscape) into Swansea Bay.

Beyond the 14 miles of photogenic limestone cliffs that make up the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, the South Wales Coast path runs on to Cardiff, proud capital of Wales. From there, it’s only a short hike down the broad, tidal Severn estuary to the Georgian market town of Chepstow on the Welsh-English border.

Interactive Wales Coast Path map

Explore our free interactive map of the Wales Coast Path for full details of the official 870-mile route.  Zoom in to see details for every carefully planned day section.

Walkers’ experiences on the Wales Coast Path …

Hear from people who have walked the Wales Coast Path end-to-end or in sections and discover why this long-distance coastal walk is one of the UK’s most rewarding routes.

“Wales is beautiful, regardless of the weather … and I would recommend the experience to anyone planning a similar trip.”

Zoe Wathen, the first woman to walk the whole Wales Coast Path

“Walking around Wales was by far the most awe-inspiring , perspective-changing experience of my life.”

Dave Quarrell, first person to complete the Wales Coast Path and Offa's Dyke together

“I experienced stunning scenery, amazing history, and some intriguing folklore. Dig out your walking boots and enjoy all the Wales Coast Path has to offer.”

Steve Plant, end-to-end charity walker

“The Wales Coast Path took me on an amazing, ever-changing coastal adventure. I promise, you’ll never look at Wales in the same light again.”

Steve Webb, early Chester to Chepstow walker

“I just loved (nearly) every minute of this epic walk. A truly remarkable journey.”

Peter Bray, first over-75 year old to walk the whole Wales Coast Path

“I loved every inch of the Wales Coast Path.”

Rosie Unsworth, Long distance walker

“The most important thing if you go on a trip like this is to forget the hectic pace of everyday life, to get a free mind … I would always do it again!”

Thomas Leber, Early end-to-end walker

Ready to walk? Along the way you’ll experience the very best of Wales: stunning scenery, stirring history, ancient Welsh culture and language, and wildlife in abundance. If you tackle only one big walk in your life, make it this one.

The Wales Coast Path really is unmissable.

Wales Coast Path route
What to see on the Wales Coast Path
Wales Coast Path walking plan

Best sections of the Wales Coast Path

Looking for inspiration? Discover just some of the many amazing places along the Welsh coast.

Green Bridge of Wales sea arch
Harlech Castle on teh Wales Coast Path
Three Cliffs Bay on the Wales Coast Path
South Stack lighthouse, Anglesey - on the Wales Coast Path
Wales Coast Path on Instagram

Cliffs, seabirds and turquoise sea. 🌊

#WalesCoastPath #LlwybyrArfordirCymru #Wales #Cymru #CroesoCymru

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Cliffs, seabirds and turquoise sea. 🌊 #WalesCoastPath #LlwybyrArfordirCymru #Wales #Cymru #CroesoCymru

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Two gannets sharing a smooch!

Did you know? The third-largest gannet colony in the world can be found on Grassholm Island in Pembrokeshire.

#WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru #CroesoCymru #VisitWales

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Open post by wales_coast_path with ID 17952282414028948
Two gannets sharing a smooch! Did you know? The third-largest gannet colony in the world can be found on Grassholm Island in Pembrokeshire. #WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru #CroesoCymru #VisitWales

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Centuries of history are held within the stone walls of Conwy Castle. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

#WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru #Conwy #CastellConwy #ConwyCastle

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Open post by wales_coast_path with ID 17956213167214981
Centuries of history are held within the stone walls of Conwy Castle. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 #WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru #Conwy #CastellConwy #ConwyCastle

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Salt in the air, sea views around every corner, and miles of rugged Welsh coastline to explore. 🌿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🌊

Whether you’re planning your next adventure or dreaming of escaping to the coast, our Official Guides to the Wales Coast Path are the ideal companion for discovering the spectacular coastal path on foot.

📖 walescoastpath.co.uk/product/isle-of-anglesey
Also available from local walking book stockists.

#WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru #CroesoCymru #VisitWales #AngleseyCoastalPath

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Open post by wales_coast_path with ID 18131875396629909
Salt in the air, sea views around every corner, and miles of rugged Welsh coastline to explore. 🌿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🌊 Whether you’re planning your next adventure or dreaming of escaping to the coast, our Official Guides to the Wales Coast Path are the ideal companion for discovering the spectacular coastal path on foot. 📖 walescoastpath.co.uk/product/isle-of-anglesey Also available from local walking book stockists. #WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru #CroesoCymru #VisitWales #AngleseyCoastalPath

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The kind of evening you`d stay out for 🌅🌊

#WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru #VisitWales #CroesoCymru #Sunset

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Open post by wales_coast_path with ID 18107024480032242
The kind of evening you'd stay out for 🌅🌊 #WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru #VisitWales #CroesoCymru #Sunset

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Tŵr Mawr Lighthouse, located on the picturesque Ynys Llanddwyn (Llanddwyn Island), is perhaps one of the most photographed lighthouses in Wales – and it`s easy to see why! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿☀️✨

#WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru #Cymru #Wales

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Open post by wales_coast_path with ID 17956005756204698
Tŵr Mawr Lighthouse, located on the picturesque Ynys Llanddwyn (Llanddwyn Island), is perhaps one of the most photographed lighthouses in Wales – and it's easy to see why! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿☀️✨ #WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru #Cymru #Wales

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The official guide to the Anglesey Coastal Path 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

#WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru #YnysMon #Anglesey #Wales

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Open post by wales_coast_path with ID 18195138850340660
The official guide to the Anglesey Coastal Path 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 #WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru #YnysMon #Anglesey #Wales

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Discover the very best short, circular walks in South Wales!

Top 10 Walks gudiebooks are available from local walking book stockists and online at walescoastpath.co.uk/shop

#WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru #CroesoCymru #VisitWales

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Open post by wales_coast_path with ID 18625977031022845
Discover the very best short, circular walks in South Wales! Top 10 Walks gudiebooks are available from local walking book stockists and online at walescoastpath.co.uk/shop #WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru #CroesoCymru #VisitWales

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13th-century Criccieth Castle (Castell Cricieth) sits proudly on a rocky headland overlooking Cardigan Bay.

#WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru #CricciethCastle #CastellCricieth

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Open post by wales_coast_path with ID 18089775026217748
13th-century Criccieth Castle (Castell Cricieth) sits proudly on a rocky headland overlooking Cardigan Bay. #WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru #CricciethCastle #CastellCricieth

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Did you know?

The dramatic coastline around South Stack, Holyhead, Anglesey is a key breeding ground for the red-billed chough, peregrine falcons, and a wide variety of seabirds!

#WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru #Wales #Cymru #AngleseyCoastalPath

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Open post by wales_coast_path with ID 18135572146616954
Did you know? The dramatic coastline around South Stack, Holyhead, Anglesey is a key breeding ground for the red-billed chough, peregrine falcons, and a wide variety of seabirds! #WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru #Wales #Cymru #AngleseyCoastalPath

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