The Coastal Way an Epic Journey Through Wales
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The Coastal Way An epic journey through Wales... thewalesway.com visitsnowdonia.info / visitpembrokeshire.com / discoverceredigion.wales The Coastal Way runs the entire length of Cardigan The Wales Way is a Bay. It’s a 180-mile (290km) odyssey that threads Liverpool between blue seas on one side and big mountains recently launched on the other. From Aberdaron 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 8 2 1 Shrewsbury 9 Discover at your own pace 10 Key: A470 From week-long odysseys to short two-and 1 Snowdonia three-day breaks, the Llŷn Peninsula, through Bardsey Island Boat Trip A44 Snowdonia, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire offer 2 Aberdaron 3 so many opportunities to explore and experience Caernarfon 4 Wales at its very best throughout the year. We’ve Criccieth 5 put together a few suggestions on what to do Snowdon 6 Blaenau Ffestiniog and where to visit. 8 7 Portmeirion 9 Harlech Further information can be found at: Cader Idris www.visitsnowdonia.info Talyllyn Railway 1 10 www.discoverceredigion.wales 2 www.visitpembrokeshire.com Ceredigion 3 4 Ynyslas 5 Pumlumon 6 Aberystwyth 7 Published by: Tourism, Marketing and Customer Care Service, Economy Vale of Rheidol Narrow Gauge Railway 8 A40 A40 A48 and Community Department, Cyngor Gwynedd, County Offices, Dolphins in Cardigan Bay 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 Aberaeron New Quay M4 Designed and produced by viewcreative.co.uk Cardigan Photographs: © Visit Wales, Cyngor Gwynedd, Cyngor Sir Ceredigion, Cyngor Sir Penfro. Pembrokeshire M4 M4 Strumble Head Lighthouse Cardi Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in this publication, Nevern Church the publishers can accept no liability whatsoever for any errors, Fishguard 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 Castell Henllys Iron Age Village facilities before making your booking. When you’ve finished with the guide Bluestones, Preseli Hills please forward to a friend or place in a suitable recycling container. St David’s Cathedral Ramsey Island 2 Liverpool A55 A55 3 A470 5 6 7 4 8 2 1 Shrewsbury 9 10 A470 1 2 A44 3 4 5 6 8 9 7 1 10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 A40 A40 A48 A470 A477 M4 M4 M4 Cardi National Parks 3 Barmouth Barmouth Bridge © Crown Copyright (2018) Visit Wales Visit (2018) Copyright © Crown Bridge Barmouth 4 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 sailing centre of Aberdyfi. It runs through the Llŷn's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, an area that has been designated for its beautiful coastline, and the Snowdonia National Park, 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, Blaenau Ffestiniog Glyderau, Snowdonia Portmeirion Harlech Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway 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 dunes and The world capital of narrow- Peninsula’s western extreme, theatrically overlooked by gauge railways. The Snowdon the ‘land’s end’ of North Wales. Harlech Castle 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 England. 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 National Trust coastal village through the ancient woodlands coastal Walks along the Wales of Porthdinllaen 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 castles 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 slate 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 Castell y Bere near Tywyn, 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 market town 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 dolphin-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. Ceredigion Museum, walk at Aberporth. 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 Cilgerran 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 Llanerchaeron 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, River Aeron 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.