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Walk the Wales Coast Path from Cei Newydd / New Quay to Aberporth

By Dave Roberts   

on December 16, 2020   No ratings yet.

Posted in Wales Coast Path - Ceredigion Coast Path

Walk the Wales Coast Path from Cei Newydd / New Quay to Aberporth

Further Details

Route Summary:

A spectacular section of the Wales Coast Path with plenty to see along with a good deal of climbing.

Start and Finish: Ceinwydd / New Quay to Aberporth

Distance: 20.8 km

Ascent: 871 m

Time: 8 hours

Timings are approximate and depend on the individual. Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Facilities:

There are facilities in New Quay, with the next village being Llangrannog which has a couple of pubs (The Ship Inn and Pentre Arms) and cafes. The final section is shorter and has a pub at Tresaith (The Ship Inn) and plenty of pubs and cafes in Aberporth (inclusding yet another pub called The Ship Inn). We’re certain a few of these will feature in our future article on the best pubs on the Wales Coast!

Public Transport:

The T5 Trawscambria runs an hourly service between Aberystwyth and Fishguard / Abergwaun and all the main towns and villages in betweeen , making walking the Ceredigion section using public transport a feasible option. The timetable and map can be seen here.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Hazards:

Some sections, especially along Penmoelciliau, are narrow and exposed.

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Keeping Safe on the Wales Coast Path,  Navigation and the Gear and Equipment you’ll need.

Wales Coast Path Guidebooks:

Recommended Wales Coast Path Maps: 

Walk the Wales Coast Path from Cei Newydd / New Quay to Aberporth Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

Download file for GPS

Walk the Wales Coast Path from Cei Newydd / New Quay to Aberporth

The Wales Coast Path from Cei Newydd / New Quay continues on the former Ceredigion Coast Path towards Aberporth and again shows how tough coastal walking can be. This section is over 20km and has almost 900m of ascent, which is the equivalent of a good day in the mountains!

Cei Newydd / New Quay to Llangrannog

On setting off from Cei Newydd / New Quay the route doesn’t mess about, climbing up and around New Quay head and continuing along a rugged high path. It continues high above a number of secluded beaches, including Traeth y Coubal and Traeth Soden which can be reached with care for those wanting their own private beach. You’ll pass and old bronze age settlement at Castell Bach before the Ceredigion Coast Path descends to Cwmtydu. Cwmtydu is another secluded beach, even if it has a car park and is reasonably accessible.

From Cwmtydu to Llangrannog lies a truly spectacular stretch of Welsh coastline. First contouring high along the 200m cliffs of Penmoelciliau, where a narrow and exposed path provides both excellent views and exposure in equal measure. Continue along numerous coves along a rugged coastline, towards the island and headland at Ynys Lochtyn. Here you’ll find the hillfort of Pen Dinas Lochdyn (Pendinaslochdyn) which is an unmissable feature on this section of coast. While it was no doubt an exposed place for our ancestors to live, it would have been an impressive place to settle and one that was easily defended. From here it’s down to Llangrannog, a place well known to Welsh speakers as a location of one of the Urdd’s camps (along with Glan Llyn in Snowdonia). Unlike some of the previous stops on the Ceredigion coast, Llangrannog is much older, probably dating to the 6th century when the church was established. Along with the nearby hillfort, it’s conceivable that the village and it’s environs have been occupied for millennia.

Pen-y-castell Headland, New Quay
Traeth y Coubal (Coubal Beach) 40m below the Coast Path is Traeth y Coubal, a small secluded beach which is reached via a steep and narrow path down from the Coast Path
Traeth Soden A peaceful, secluded cove north of Cwmtydu. The beach is made up of coarse sand and shingle and backed by the deep narrow valley of the Afon Soden.
Coast near Castell Bach At high tide this grass topped rock is an island.
The beach below Castell Bach
Cwmtydu Beach Cwmtydu Beach is a secluded little bay that was once renowned for smugglers and pirates with its many hidden little caves and coves. Sion Cwilt was one such smuggler who used this bay. On the sea front stands a limekiln that has been restored in recent years, a memory of time gone by. During WW1 a U-boat commander came ashore to gather fresh supplies for his crew. But now the only landings on the beach are that of Atlantic Grey Seals who come in shore to give birth to their pups during the autumn season.
eredigion coast path between Cwmtydu and Llangrannog This section of the path was opened in 2008 and took some engineering in places as the path had to be cut into the rock at some of the steeper sections of the cliff. The long peninsula in the middle distance is Ynys Lochtyn
Ceredigion coast path below Penmoelciliau The path crosses above a nearly vertical section of cliff. It has been carved into the rock about one third up the cliff face.
The headland and Ynys Lochtyn
Ynys Lochtyn From the slope of Pendinas Lochtyn
Cardigan coastline Looking north-east from near Ynys Lochtyn
Ynys-Lochtyn and Pendinaslochdyn Taken from above Llangrannog, a view of Ynys-Lochtyn isthmus and Pendinaslochdyn hill fort and MOD listening/observation post. The coastline beyond runs to Cymtydu and New Quay in the far distance.
The Ship Inn, Llangrannog
Pentre Arms, Llangrannog Public house and Bed & Breakfast accommodation opposite the beach at Llangrannog
The main beach at Llangrannog Looking down on the beach from the Wales Coast Path
Northern end of Llangrannog beach Relatively quiet on a sunny July afternoon

Llangrannog to Aberporth

The final section is shorter but still tough, being around a third of the day’s distance and ascent. High clifftop walking take you from Llangrannog to the sandy beach at Penbryn, before climbing up once more only to descend again to Tresaith and a coastal waterfall. You’ll have earned a break here, with it’s sandy beach, cafe and The Ship Inn pub. A final short section of around 2.5km without too much ascent finishes the section off and brings you into the seaside resort of Aberporth

Ceredigion Coast The little rocky islet is Carreg y Ty, and the headland in the distance is Ynys Lochtan
Cove near Llangranog There are two paths down to this beach, known as Traeth Bach (small beach), both very steep. The island (at high tide) has an interesting sea cave running through it
Penbryn beach taken from Wales coastal path
Northeast end of Traeth Penbryn
Looking down on Tresaith beach from the Wales Coast Path
Tresaith Waterfall
The Ship Inn Restaurant, pub and four guest rooms complete with stunning location.
Traeth Dolwen & Carreg Ogof, Aberporth West Beach on a Bank Holiday weekend; the tide is close to high water.
The Ship Inn, Aberporth

 

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

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