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The Coastal Way An epic journey through ... thewalesway.com

visitsnowdonia.info / visitpembrokeshire.com / discoverceredigion.wales The Coastal Way runs the entire length of Cardigan The is a Bay. It’s a 180-mile (290km) odyssey that threads between blue seas on one side and big mountains recently launched on the other. From in the North to family of three national St Davids in the South, the coast is dotted with harbour towns and fishing villages, secret coves, A55 A55 routes that guide vast stretches of sand and magnificent mountains. 3 you through some of Above all, the Coastal Way will give you an A470 opportunity to immerse yourself in the authentic 5 our country’s most culture of Wales; global renowned attractions, 6 world heritage sites, food and one of the oldest 7 living languages on the planet! striking scenery. 4

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Discover at your own pace 10 Key: A470 From week-long odysseys to short two-and 1 three-day breaks, the Llŷn Peninsula, through  Boat Trip A44 Snowdonia, and offer 2 Aberdaron 3 so many opportunities to explore and experience 4 Wales at its very best throughout the year. We’ve 5 put together a few suggestions on what to do 6 Blaenau and where to visit. 8 7 9 Further information can be found at: Cader Idris www.visitsnowdonia.info 1 10 www.discoverceredigion.wales 2 www.visitpembrokeshire.com Ceredigion 3 4 5 Pumlumon 6 7 Published by: , Marketing and Customer Care Service, Economy Vale of Rheidol Narrow Gauge Railway 8 A40 A40 A48 and Department, Cyngor , County Offices, in A470 Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 1SH. Copyright © 2018. Devil’s Bridge [email protected] Editorial written by Writerog Ltd, Roger Strata Florida A477 Thomas Freelance Services, writerog.co.uk M4 Designed and produced by viewcreative.co.uk Cardigan Photographs: © Visit Wales, Cyngor Gwynedd, Cyngor Sir Ceredigion, Cyngor Sir Penfro. Pembrokeshire M4 M4 Lighthouse Cardi Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in this publication, Church the publishers can accept no liability whatsoever for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions, or for any matter in any way connected with or Abereiddi arising out of the publication of the information. Please check all prices and Village facilities before making your booking. When you’ve finished with the guide , please forward to a friend or place in a suitable recycling container. St David’s Cathedral 2 Liverpool

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National Parks

3 4 © Crown Copyright (2018) Visit Wales Snowdonia Mountains and Coast Snowdonia Mountains and Coast is home to around 80 miles of the Coastal Way, extending from Aberdaron (the ‘Land’s End’ of the Llŷn Peninsula) to the cosmopolitan resort and centre of . It runs through the Llŷn's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, an area that has been designated for its beautiful coastline, and the Snowdonia , a varied landscape of spectacular mountains, steep river gorges, waterfalls and green valleys. To accentuate its distinctiveness, you’ll hear Welsh spoken everywhere. It’s the oldest living language in Europe, central to the character and culture of this part of Wales.

5 Criccieth Llŷn Peninsula

Aberdaron

Bounce Below,

Glyderau, Snowdonia

Portmeirion

Harlech

Ffestiniog &

6 Highlights Here are just a few highlights, from north to south. For further information on things to do and where to stay go to www.visitsnowdonia.info

Start or Finish? Harlech – untouched sandy Railways Aberdaron is located on Llŷn beach, backed by and The world capital of narrow- Peninsula’s western extreme, theatrically overlooked by gauge railways. The Snowdon the ‘land’s end’ of . Harlech Mountain Railway does what It’s an atmospheric – and quite it says on the tin, taking you legendary – place. Discover One of the world’s best beach to the top of the highest the peninsula’s unique history bars. The Tŷ Coch Inn came peak in Wales and . and culture at the Porth y third in a global poll, ahead of For Britain’s longest heritage Swnt visitor centre. And if the bars in Australia, Florida and railway ride hop on the 40 mile weather is kind, take a boat South Africa. It’s a pebble’s Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland trip to Bardsey, the fabled ‘Isle throw from the beach at Railway from Caernarfon to of 20,000 Saints’. Also worth the perfectly preserved Blaenau Ffestiniog. Steam mentioning is the abundance of coastal village through the ancient woodlands coastal Walks along the Wales of on the Llŷn and meadows in Southern Coast Path. Peninsula. Snowdonia on the Talyllyn Railway, the world's first preserved railway. World Heritage Sites The adventure capital Historic legacy is everywhere of the UK to be seen. The iconic Snowdonia Mountains and of Caernarfon and Harlech, all Coast is Britain’s adrenaline and World Heritage Sites – dominate adventure capital. Where else the scene. But the native can you whizz down a zip line at fortresses of the Welsh Princes over 100mph, the fastest in the Go Igam Ogam (Just of Gwynedd have an equally world, then bounce below in a off the Coastal Way) compelling tale to tell. Criccieth giant subterranean trampoline, Caernarfon - Defined by Castle stands in a prime spot in a quarry, another world’s its World Heritage castle, overlooking Cardigan Bay first at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Caernarfon is a must-visit and you won’t find a more place. atmospheric location than that of near , Portmeirion Green Wood Forest Park locked away in the foothills of It’s impossible not to fall in love is one very green family Cader Idris. with Portmeirion. This fantasy attraction, winner of village, created by architect many awards for its Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, is eco credentials. Pick a beach a wondrous mish-mash of There are over 35 beaches in influences that stretch from Snowdon and the the region. Here’s a quick run- the Orient to Italy. Its lush surrounding mountains - down if you fancy a dip or grounds and gardens are the highest peak in Wales. a winter walk. almost as enchanting as It’s a pretty awesome slice of the village itself. countryside, a craggy defile Aberdyfi – dramatically located shaped by volcanoes at the mouth of the Dyfi Estuary, and glaciers. this big sandy beach is great for windsurfing and wildlife spotting 7 Aberystwyth

8 The Coastal Way in Ceredigion Around 70 miles of the Coastal Way lies within Ceredigion stretching from the mouth of the Dyfi Estuary in the north to the historic of Cardigan in the south. It’s a place of legendary landscapes and seascapes, colourful historic seafaring ports, long stretches of coastline designated a Special Area of Conservation and seafood direct from the bay. Head inland for quintessential Welsh countryside - traditional landscapes, hills and uplands, small market towns and lush green river valleys.

9 This part of the route is studded with highlights. Highlights Here are just a few, from north to south. For further information on things to do and where to stay go to www.discoverceredigion.wales

Aberystwyth Take a wildlife boat trip into Aberaeron The thriving capital of Mid Europe’s best -spotting A handsome port lined with Wales, is a multi-faceted seaside waters from New Quay and spot Regency-style houses decked resort and university town, host porpoises, bottlenose dolphins out in all the colours of the to annual cycling and comedy and grey seals from the cliff top rainbow. Tuck into a pint of festivals. , walk at . Explore the prawns or some fresh Cardigan housed in a splendiferous old marshland home of kingfishers Bay crab at one of the town’s music hall, gives you a rounded and otters at the Welsh Wildlife bistro restaurants, then treat picture of life in this part of Centre at near yourself to a scoop or two of Wales, while Welsh culture and Cardigan. Look out for water Aberaeron’s famous honey ice literature are the themes at the buffalo too! cream. The National Trust distinguished National Library property of is a of Wales. There’s also a ruined Ride the rails for rare example of an 18th-century castle, modern marina, and a waterfall walks in the gentry estate. If you have time, cliff railway – so you’ll have to Vale of Rheidol you can get here by bike (or on come back to see it all. Explore inland with a trip on the foot) on a gentle three-mile narrow-gauge Vale of Rheidol cycleway along the banks of the Wildlife Railway. Starting in Aberystwyth, from Aberaeron. For wildlife enthusiasts, the this historic steam railway climbs Ceredigion stretch of the Coastal along a meandering river valley Coastal walks Way is particularly inspiring with for 12 miles, revealing views at You can’t visit our shore without plenty of ways to get a closer every turn on its journey to taking a walk along the world look as you travel. Devil’s Bridge, where you’ll famous 870 mile Wales Coast discover a world of tumbling Path. Get a taste along a gentle Visit the waterfalls hidden in a dramatic, stretch between the pretty to peek into the nests of these steep-sided gorge, spanned by harbour towns of Aberaeron majestic ‘sea eagles’, brought three bridges – one built by the and New Quay through wooded back from the brink by careful Devil himself, so they say. valleys and along clifftops with conservation efforts. Nearby, is widescreen views of Cardigan the wetland and woodland bird The jewel of Bay. reserve of RSPB Ynys-hir. Cardigan Bay Considering the high standard Cardigan The huge Dyfi National Nature of the competition, for to A lively market town where Reserve, whose sand dunes and attract this description must centuries of heritage sit saltmarshes are internationally mean that it’s an extraordinary alongside a cool, contemporary important wetlands, are best place. Perhaps that’s because food and arts scene. It’s hip and accessed from the visitor centre there’s really nothing here – apart, historic. A walk around the town at Ynyslas. Explore the beach to that is, from a starry beach takes in a time-travelling tapestry find the remains of the sunken scooped from green headlands of architecture – from the sturdy forest of ‘Cantre’r Gwaelod’ - the and topped by a solitary little ramparts of , past legendary Welsh Atlantis. church, dazzling in its coat of Georgian and houses and whitewash. Just perfect. on to the Victorian market hall.

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Aberaeron New Quay

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Go Igam Ogam (Just off the Coastal Way) Cardigan Bwlch Nant yr Arian – explore miles of mountain bike trails or get up close to red kites, the fork tailed birds of prey, as they come in to feed each afternoon at Bwlch Nant yr Arian.

Enjoy the tranquillity of whose ruins lie in the remote upland meadows of the near .

11 FIshguard The Coastal Way in Pembrokeshire

Here we’re featuring around 60 miles of the Coastal Way – the stretch between near the historic market town of Cardigan and St Davids. It lies within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the UK’s only totally coastal National Park. Every step of your journey will take you through a rich, diverse and timeless landscape – in Welsh ‘Gwlad hud a lledrith’, the fabled ‘land of magic and enchantment’ – that has inspired everyone from artists to Celtic saints, medieval pilgrims to today’s travellers.

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Newport

Ramsey Island

Porthgain Ramsey island ©Crown Copyright Visit Wales Visit Copyright ©Crown island Ramsey

St Davids

St Dogmaels

Blue Lagoon

Castell Henllys

14 Here are a few highlights, from west to east. Highlights For further information on things to do and where to stay go to www.visitpembrokeshire.com

Ramsey Island Award winning beaches North Pembrokeshire finishes For really wild adventures, a It can be safely said that the with a flourish along the Teifi visit to RSPB Ramsey Island beaches of Pembrokeshire Estuary and Poppit Sands, a big, is a must. Take a trip from St will tick everyone’s boxes, and breezy beach close to another Davids to this nature reserve, with over 50 to choose from saintly spot, the historic village home to teeming colonies of you can see why. Protected of with its medieval nesting seabirds, porpoises and by their National Park status abbey. breeding grey seals, for world- Pembrokeshire’s beaches have class wildlife spotting. some of the cleanest waters Poppit Sands marks the start with many awards to show for it. (or finish, depending on your direction of travel) of the Smallest City in the UK Pembrokeshire Coast National St Davids has cast a powerful Traditional harbour villages and towns Park. It’s a long, sandy, - spell for centuries – ever since backed beach at the mouth of , where the rugged, medieval times, when two the . pilgrimages to its cathedral (the rock-bound north Pembrokeshire site founded by Wales’s patron coast gives way momentarily to a saint) were declared equivalent sheltered harbour with a unique, oddball charm. Go Igam ogam (just off to one to . It’s Britain’s the Coastal Way) smallest city (population 2,000) - a Fishguard’s Lower Harbour with, we reckon, the largest burial chamber dating back is another textbook north concentration of art galleries to around 3500BC in the hills Pembrokeshire location, and studios per head. to the east of Newport. It’s the working fishing boats mingle largest and best example of its with paddle boarders in this kind in Wales. Edible insects pretty harbour that has also Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm, just starred in classic Hollywood Castell Henllys – a outside St Davids, is a unique films such as Moby Dick and reconstructed Iron Age village research and visitor centre Under Milkwood. dedicated to the insect world that will whisk you back in time almost 2000 years. and sustainable agriculture. Just along the coast is Newport, You really must visit the Grub with a varied selection of Nevern Church – Celtic Kitchen where insects are restaurants, bistros and cafes. Ogham script from the 6th always on the menu. It’s an ideal base for walking that century can be found etched attracts a fashionable crowd. into a window sill inside the

Coasteering at the Blue church. You must also find the Quirky Gwaun Valley was Lagoon, 700 year old Bleeding Yew carved out during the last Ice Get hands-on with our coastline near the main gate, for some Age. This steep-sided vale runs as you clamber over boulders unknown reason the tree has from the coast up towards and rocky cliffs before splashing been ‘bleeding’ blood red the Preseli Hills, where the out on heart-pounding leaps sap for as long as anyone can National Park ventures inland into the waters of this former remember. and is dotted with compelling slate quarry turned aquatic prehistoric sites including adventure playground. the origin of the Bluestones. 15 The Wales Way The Wales Way is a new family of three national routes The North Wales Way that lead you into the heart of real Wales. The Coastal The Coastal Way Way travels the west coast of Wales around Cardigan The Bay, a 180-mile (290km) road-trip between the sea and mountains. The Cambrian Way crosses the spine of Wales for 185 miles (300km) between and , through National Parks and big green spaces. The North Wales Way leads 75 miles (120km) past mighty castles into the island of .

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