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Walk the Wales Coast Path North Wales – Prestatyn to Colwyn Bay

By Dave Roberts   

on December 16, 2020   4/5 (3)

Posted in Wales Coast Path – North Wales - Chester to Menai Bridge

Walk the Wales Coast Path North Wales – Prestatyn to Colwyn Bay

Further Details

Route Summary:

The section of Wales Coast Path from Prestatyn to Colwyn Bay is mainly along coastal tarmac path which is easy going.

Start and Finish: Prestatyn to Colwyn Bay

Distance: 23.4 km

Ascent: 65 m

Time: Allow 5 to 6 hours

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

Facilities:

The route passes a number of towns, but after you leave Bae Cinmael / Kinmael Bay they do require a detour from the path and many will be closed in the off season.

Public Transport:

Railway stations at both end and plenty of buses.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Hazards:

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 North Wales – Prestatyn to Colwyn Bay Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

Download file for GPS

Walk the Wales Coast Path North Wales – Prestatyn to Colwyn Bay

If there’s one thing you can say about the North Wales section of the Wales Coastal Path, is that you cover a lot of distance in a day. Unlike some sections where you can walk 30km and end up barely 1km from your start, on the North Wales Coast you can be certain that 30km means 30km!

The Wales Coast Path starts from Prestatyn and follows the coast faithfully to Colwyn Bay, with the initial section along the promenade in Prestatyn and then in Rhyl. Rhyl used to be one of the most popular resorts on the North Wales coast, but like many seaside towns has experienced a decline in the last few decades as holidaymakers choose to go abroad. However, there are plans afoot to regenerate the town including a new theatre and hotels on the seafront. The path continues in the same vein, passing the Marine Lake – a famous location to many residents of North Wales who would have come here on a trip or two at some point in their childhood.

Llwybr Arfordir Cymru Couldn’t get much closer than this with a coastal path but the walking is not great, you choose – concrete or sand? The concrete promenade and combined sea defences at Prestatyn Beach.
Sand Dunes at Ffrith Beach Sand Dunes at Ffrith Beach near the Wales Coast Path.
Low tide on Rhyl beach

From Rhyl onward, the views are initially dominated by the offshore wind farms and the endless rows of static caravans on land. These soon fade as you concentrate on the walking, making the most of the good progress that can be made on this flat and easy section. The coast is one sandy beach and it’s no wonder that people flock to Pensarn and Abergele in their caravans.

Wales Coast Path towards Pensarn
Traeth Pensarn Traeth Pensarn near Abergele is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This is the view looking west along the beach towards Llanddulas.
Wales Coast Path towards Llanddulas

Towards Llanddulas the land between sea and hills begins to narrow, a strip of coast too obviously shared by the busy A55 dual carriageway and the north wales railway line. The path soon arrives at the promenade at Old Colwyn and on towards the sea front at Colwyn Bay. Colwyn Bay is another North Wales seaside town on the up, including the Michelin-starred Bryn Williams Porth Eirias restaurant though you’ll need to get changed from your walking kit (and make a booking well in advance) before dining in there.

Pensarn and Abergele
Beach and sea wall at Colwyn Bay Looking east across the beach next to the promenade at Colwyn Bay.
Former pier at Colwyn Bay – this is no longer there.
Former pier ar Colwyn Bay

 

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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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