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Wales Coast Path

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The Wales Coast Path (Welsh: Llwybr Arfordir Cymru) is a designated long-distance trail which follows, or runs close to, the coastline of Wales.[1]

The Wales Coast Path shell logo

Launched in 2012, the footpath is 870 miles (1,400 km) long and was heralded as the first dedicated coast path in the world to cover the entire length of a country's coastline.[2] The Wales Coast Path runs through eleven national nature reserves and other nature reserves such as those managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and The Wildlife Trusts.[3]

Location of start and finish of the Wales Coast Path and (inset) Wales within the United Kingdom
The two stone pillars alongside the River Dee mark the northern end of the Wales Coast Path
The stone at Chepstow with the path's "dragon shell" logo marks the southern end of the Wales Coast Path

History and development

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Plans for the new all-Wales coastal path were first unveiled by First Minister Rhodri Morgan in June 2006, when he officially opened the 125-mile (201 km) route around Anglesey. It was anticipated that the Wales Coast Path project, which would improve access and link up existing paths, would take up to five years; it has been nearer six.[4]

The idea for the path was developed from a desire to build upon the economic success of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path[5][failed verification][6] Both coastal paths were considered as major contributors to the visitor economy of Wales, and in addition to financial benefits it was also seen as an important initiative in encouraging both locals and visitors to discover and enjoy outdoor spaces, and in the health and welfare benefits that such paths provide.

The Wales Coast Path was officially launched on 5 May 2012.[2] Earlier in the same year, Lonely Planet had rated the coast of Wales first in its Best in Travel: top 10 regions for 2012.[7]

The Wales Coast Path was developed by the Welsh Government in partnership with the former Countryside Council for Wales, sixteen local authorities, and two National Parks. The total cost of the project was £14.6 million. A book published in 2016 stated that in a single year (2013), "it had paid its startup cost twice over" due to a massive increase in revenue generated by tourism.[8] A March 2023 report indicated that the financial benefits were continuing.[9]

Since 2007, the Welsh Government had been invested in improving public access to the coast of Wales through its Access Improvement Programme. In addition to this funding of approximately £2 million per year from the Welsh Government and the coastal local authorities, the European Regional Development Fund has additionally allocated nearly £3.9 million over three years in support of the project.[10][11]

The Countryside Council for Wales supervised the project and has said that improvements to the quality and alignment of the route would continue during 2012 and 2013 to ensure that the path follows the Welsh coastline as close as it is safe and practical. Improvements have continued since, with examples including the removal of a 10-mile detour inland following the opening of the rebuilt Gwynedd's Pont Briwet bridge in 2015[12] and the creation of a new right-of-way between Y Felinheli and Bangor in 2018.[13]

Over time, the completed path is expected to lead to the creation of circular coastal routes, as links to inland towns and villages are improved.[14][permanent dead link]

Description

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Heralded as the world's first coastal path to cover an entire country,[2][15][16] the Wales Coast Path follows the Welsh coastline from Chepstow, Monmouthshire, in the south to Queensferry, Flintshire, in the north. Many parts already had established paths, such as the North Wales Path, the Anglesey Coastal Path and the Llŷn Coastal Path. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path had been a designated National Trail,[5] and in 2011 was voted by National Geographic magazine as the second-best coastal destination in the world.[17][18]

The path is 870 miles (1,400 km) in length[1] and follows the coast from the mouth of the River Dee, along the northern coast of Wales with its seaside towns such as Conwy, over the Menai Strait onto the Isle of Anglesey, past Caernarfon, and then around the Llŷn Peninsula and down the sweep of Cardigan Bay past Harlech, Aberystwyth, and Cardigan, through the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park to Tenby, around the Gower Peninsula to Swansea, along the waterfront of Cardiff Bay and Cardiff, to Chepstow.[2]

The whole path is accessible to walkers and, where practical, some sections are suitable for cyclists, families with pushchairs, people with restricted mobility, and horse riders.[3]

The Wales Coast Path is not a National Trail although it does link with the Offa's Dyke Path, which loosely follows the Wales–England border. Together they make a 1,030-mile (1,660 km) continuous walking route around almost the whole of Wales.[19]

Overall responsibility for establishing the path lay with the Countryside Council for Wales (now Natural Resources Wales), but management on the ground rests with the 15 local government areas it passes through.[20] Five waymarked long-distance coast paths were already established, in Pembrokeshire, Anglesey, Gwynedd, Ceredigion and the northern coast of Wales. These formed the basis for five of the eight geographical sections[21] that now make up the path. The remaining three areas are made up of single and combined counties and county boroughs with coastlines.[22]

 
National Cycle Route 5/Wales Coast Path, Conwy

Since 2012, Wales Coast Path in North Wales follows part of the Reading to Holyhead National Cycle Route 5.[23]

Sections

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The Wales Coast path website divides the 870-mile (1,400 km) coast route into sections with an accompanying map. These are (from north to south):[24]

Section Distance[25] Antecedents Unitary Authorities Route
North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary
Main article: North Wales Path
 68 miles (109 km) North Wales Path, opened 1997, covers parts of this section.[26] Flintshire: 27 miles (43 km)
Denbighshire: 7 miles (11 km)
Conwy: 35 miles (56 km)
 
North Wales Path
Isle of Anglesey
Main article: Anglesey Coastal Path
 132 miles (212 km) Anglesey Coastal Path, opened 2006.[27] Isle of Anglesey
 
Anglesey Coastal Path
Menai, Llŷn & Meirionnydd
Main article: Llŷn Coastal Path
 189 miles (304 km) Llŷn Coastal Path 91 miles (146 km) opened 2006[28] and expanded to take in the rest of Gwynedd.[29] Gwynedd
 
Llŷn Coastal Path
Ceredigion
Main article: Ceredigion Coast Path
 72 miles (116 km) Ceredigion Coast Path opened 2008.[30] Powys: 5 miles (8.0 km)
Ceredigion: 67 miles (108 km)
 
Ceredigion Coast Path
Pembrokeshire
Main article: Pembrokeshire Coast Path
 186 miles (299 km) Pembrokeshire Coast Path is a National Trail, opened in 1970.[31] Pembrokeshire
 
Pembrokeshire Coast Path
Carmarthenshire
 68 miles (109 km) Millennium Coastal Park, 13 miles (21 km), near Llanelli,[32] opened 2002[33] Carmarthenshire
 
Carmarthenshire
Gower & Swansea Bay
Main article: Gower and Swansea Bay Coast Path
 71 miles (114 km) Gower Coast Path (Informal route, 2005)[34] Swansea: 56 miles (90 km)
Neath Port Talbot: 16 miles (26 km)
 
Gower and Swansea Bay
South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary
Main article: South Wales Coast and Severn Estuary Coastal Path
 97 miles (156 km) Coastal parts of the Valeways Millennium Heritage Trail, opened 2001.[35] Bridgend: 12 miles (19 km)
Vale of Glamorgan: 38 miles (61 km)
Cardiff: 9 miles (14 km)
Newport: 26 miles (42 km)
Monmouthshire: 15 miles (24 km)
 
South Wales Coast and Severn Estuary

The opening

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View from the Pembrokeshire Coast Path on Marloes peninsula

The official opening of the path took place in a number of locations on 5 May 2012, highlighting the path's beauty and ease of access for walkers of all ages, fitness and ability. To help celebrate the opening, Ramblers Cymru hosted the Big Welsh Coastal Walk, one of the largest mass-participation events ever seen in Wales.[36]

The Countryside Council for Wales asked Chester-based outdoor specialists Northern Eye Books to create the official guidebooks for five of the seven main sections of the Wales Coast Path: North Wales Coast, Isle of Anglesey, Llyn Peninsula, Carmarthenshire and Gower, and the South Wales Coast.[37] They already publish the Official Guide for Anglesey, Walking the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path by Carl Rogers. The remaining titles were due for publication in late 2012 and 2013. There were existing guides to the Ceredigion Coast Path and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path by other publishers.

The first anniversary of the opening of the path was marked on radio and television, and it is estimated that in that first year some 2.8 million people walked stretches of the path, contributing £16 million to the Welsh economy.[38] Further to this, it is estimated that more than 800,000 visitors to the path also stayed the night in one of the many guest-houses, B&Bs and hotels along the route.[38]

Controversy

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The Open Spaces Society has criticised some landowners who do not allow the path onto their coastal land. This means 170 miles (270 km) – more than 20% of the route – is on roads, sometimes out of sight of the sea. In response, a Countryside Council for Wales spokeswoman said: "Just over 20% of the WCP is on road, slightly less than the average for national trails in Britain, which is in the region of 25%. This is mainly on quiet, country lanes."[39]

There is currently a temporary road route north of Cardigan, connecting Gwbert with Mwnt; the actual Ceredigion Coast Path section within that vicinity is currently unavailable because of legal proceedings.[40]

Walkers have a view overlooking a gypsy caravan site at Rover Way in Cardiff. During the development of the footpath, the occupants expressed concerns over privacy.[41]

  •  
    Strumble Head lighthouse, looking across Carreg Onnen Bay
  •  
    The Pembrokeshire Coast path near Ceibwr Bay, looking north towards Cemaes Head
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    The Pembrokeshire Coast Path between Pwllgwaelod and Fishguard
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    Above the beach at Mwnt
  •  
    Newborough beach and Llanddwyn Island

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Frequently Asked Questions". Wales Coast Path home. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "Wales Coast Path officially opens with events in Cardiff, Aberystwyth and Flint". BBC News. 5 May 2012. Archived from the original on 2 February 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2012. The world's first coastal path to cover an entire country has been officially opened in Wales.
  3. ^ a b "Wales Coast Path". First Nature. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  4. ^ "All-Wales coastal path proposed". BBC News. 9 June 2006. Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Pembrokeshire Coast Path". National Trails. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  6. ^ "Introduction to the Anglesey coast". Anglesey County Council. 2012. Archived from the original on 15 August 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Lonely Planet's Best in Travel: top 10 regions for 2012". Lonely Planet. 27 October 2011. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  8. ^ Reynolds, Fionna (17 June 2016). The Fight for Beauty: Our Path to a Better Future. London: Oneworld Publications. ISBN 978-1780748757.
  9. ^ "The 870-mile Wales Coastal Path cost £14.6 million — and it's truly money well spent". Country Life. 15 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  10. ^ "Countryside and coastal access". Welsh Government. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Wales Coast Path". The Long-Distance Walkers Association. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  12. ^ Dillon, Paddy (2015). The Wales Coast Path. Kendal: Cicerone Press. ISBN 9781852847425.
  13. ^ "New footpaths on Wales Coastal Path and Snowdon open for walkers". North Wales Daily Post. 15 October 2018. Archived from the original on 27 June 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  14. ^ "News". Capital Wales. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  15. ^ "Wales Coast Path set for a boost as entrepreneurs get to work". Ordnance Survey. 19 July 2012. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2012. The recently opened Wales Coast Path is the first coastal network in the world to cover an entire country.
  16. ^ Morris, Steven (4 May 2012). "Wales coastal path offers a walk on the wild – and industrial – side". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 21 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  17. ^ "Pembrokeshire Coast picks up an award". National Trails. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  18. ^ "Pembrokeshire Coast Path walks off with accolade of being one of world's top trails". Wales Online. 10 August 2011. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  19. ^ "Offa's Dyke Path". nationaltrail.co.uk. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  20. ^ "Countryside Council for Wales: Wales Coast Path". www.ccgc.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  21. ^ Wales Coast Path Media Pack Archived 24 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine 2012, p.10, Accessed 19 October 2013
  22. ^ walescoastpath.gov.uk History Archived 29 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 3 October 2013
  23. ^ "'Death trap' A55 cycle route in Conwy improved". BBC News. 21 June 2012. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  24. ^ Leaflets, Walescoastpath.gov.uk Archived 13 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  25. ^ Link to Distance Tables, Walescoastpath.gov.uk Archived 18 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 15 June 2015
  26. ^ "North Wales Path". ldwa.org.uk. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  27. ^ www.anglesey-today.com/coastal-path.html Archived 4 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine accessed 3 October 2013
  28. ^ www.snowdonia-active.com Archived 4 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine accessed 3 October 2013
  29. ^ www.walescoastpath.info Archived 4 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine accessed 3 October 2013
  30. ^ ceredigioncoastpath.org.uk Archived 7 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine accessed 3 October 2013
  31. ^ National Trails: Pembrokeshire Coast Archived 1 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine accessed 3 October 2013
  32. ^ Wales Coast Path - The Carmarthenshire bit! Archived 4 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine, DiscoverCarmarthenshire.com, accessed 1 November 2013
  33. ^ Speech by Queen Elizabeth II the day after the opening, 22 June 2002 Archived 30 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 15 June 2014
  34. ^ glamorganwalks.com Archived 4 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 15 June 2014
  35. ^ "Valeways Millennium Heritage Trail". ldwa.org.uk. Archived from the original on 29 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  36. ^ Big Welsh Coastal Walk accessed 2 January 2012.
  37. ^ Quadrant Media, Official guide books to document Wales Coast Path Archived 22 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine. accessed 21 December 2012.
  38. ^ a b "WCP celebrates anniversary". Walescoastpath.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 7 May 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  39. ^ WalesOnLine.co.uk - Wales’ new coast path still makes walkers tread more than 170 miles of roads accessed 5 January 2012.
  40. ^ Ceredigion News, Court of Appeal dismisses Jenkins v. Welsh Minister's Case
  41. ^ WalesOnLine.co.uk - Wales’ coastline named ‘the greatest region on Earth in 2012’ by traveller's bible Lonely Planet Archived 28 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine accessed 2 January 2012.
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