Cardiff’s section of the Wales Coast Path
The Cardiff section of the Wales Coast Path covers 15.60km and forms a continuous link with Newport to the east and the Vale of Glamorgan (via Penarth) to the west, as part of the South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary region (region 8).
The route from Newport in the east continues along the seawall, with great views across the Severn Estuary and good opportunities for bird watching, with saltmarsh and mudflats which attract wading birds. It also links to Cardiff Bay along a series of canals and continues to Penarth along the Barrage. Cardiff Bay has plenty to enjoy including the Millennium Centre with Tourist Information Centre, the famous Norwegian Church (where Roald Dahl was christened), bars, restaurants and cafés to rest and take in the views across the freshwater lake. The Barrage has segregated paths for walkers and cyclists and has plenty to see along the way from the skate park and outdoor gym, the Captain Scott outdoor exhibition and the Barrage itself with its bascule bridges linking lake to sea.
News:
- The route between Rover Way (at junction with Lamby Way) and Ocean Way has been temporarily diverted inland due for safety reasons. There are works being planned to improve the coastline and clean up the areas around Rover Way to create a more welcoming and suitable place for walkers to enjoy.
- Cardiff Council Officers are currently working on plans and designs to realign the path from Cors Crychydd into and around the Lamby Way Landfill Site. Now that the site is no longer in use for landfill, there is an opportunity to realign the path closer to the coastline. As the site continues to be used for recycling and food waste, all materials used to waymark and create the path will be with sustainable products and information about the biodiversity and the importance of protecting our coastlines.
For more information, click link to Public Rights of Way web page
Wales Coast Path – How it all started
In June 2006, Rhodri Morgan announced that the Welsh Government wanted to make all Wales Coast Path linking north to south east Wales. The aim was to link, improve and create paths as close to the coast as possible for local communities and visitors to Wales. It was funded through a Welsh Government grant programme managed by Natural Resources Wales (formerly Countryside Council for Wales) in partnership with 16 local authorities and 2 national parks.
Covering 1,200km/870 miles and grouped into 8 regions, the Wales Coast Path also links to Offa’s Dyke at the north and south end. Mainly for walkers, there are also path sections suitable for cyclists, wheelchair users and people with limited mobility, families with pushchairs and horse riders.
The Wales Coast Path was officially opened on 5th May 2012 and Cardiff hosted one of 3 official opening events. Wales is the first country to have a fully linked coast path.
For more information, click link to Wales Coast Path website
Things to do
Delve behind the history of the Path and see who helped with its creation. Discover just how much of the Path runs through or close to some of Wales’ protected landscapes and habitats. Read about the adventures of the rare individuals who are taking it upon themselves to try to ‘end to end’. And, see for yourself in our photo and video gallery the appeal of the Wales Coast Path.