Wales Coast Path
The world's first continuous route around an entire national coastline, covering the full length of the Welsh coast.
Route overview
The Wales Coast Path, opened in 2012, was the world's first officially designated continuous walking route covering the entire coastline of a country, running roughly 1,400 kilometres from Chepstow near the English border in the south to Queensferry in the north, incorporating the previously separate Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail along the way. The route passes an extraordinary variety of coastal landscapes, from the industrial heritage coastline of South Wales to the dramatic cliffs of Pembrokeshire, the wide sandy beaches of Cardigan Bay, and the mountainous coastal scenery of the Llŷn Peninsula and Anglesey in the north. Given its scale, the vast majority of walkers complete regional sections rather than the whole route, though a small number of dedicated through-hikers walk the entire length in a single continuous trip over several months.
Trail facts
- Country
- Wales
- Region
- Wales (entire coastline)
- Distance
- c. 1,400 km
- Typical duration
- Several weeks (typically walked in sections)
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Elevation gain
- c. 25,000 m cumulative (full route)
- Best season
- April–October
- Trail type
- Long-distance coastal path
Safety context
Coastal cliff sections can be exposed in strong wind; some stretches include beach walking that is tide-dependent and should be planned accordingly.
Given the coast path's length, full through-hikers should plan for multi-month logistics; most visitors are better served by selecting a shorter regional stretch.
Highlights
Pembrokeshire Coast Path cliffs Cardigan Bay sandy beaches Llŷn Peninsula and Anglesey coastal mountains World-first status as a complete national coastal path
Why find a buddy
Coastal path sections, whether short or ambitious, are more enjoyable and safer shared with a hiking partner, especially on cliff-top or tide-affected stretches.
Primary source
Explore and prepare
Discover hikes by intent, read the hiking guides, review hiking safety, prepare a BuddyPack, or browse hiking plans.
Route conditions, access, services and transport can change. Verify time-sensitive information before departure.