The Ceredigion Coast Path traces roughly 60 miles of the beautiful, unspoilt shoreline of Cardigan Bay, running from the historic market town of Cardigan in the south to the dunes of Ynyslas near Aberystwyth in the north. Forming part of the wider Wales Coast Path, it links directly with the Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail at its southern end and continues on towards Machynlleth and Glyndŵr’s Way to the north, making it a wonderful centrepiece for a longer coast-to-mountains adventure, or a superb walking holiday entirely in its own right.
Few stretches of British coastline can match Cardigan Bay for wildlife, and this is one of the very best places in Europe to spot bottlenose dolphins, with regular sightings from the path itself as well as dedicated boat trips departing from New Quay and Aberystwyth. Grey seals haul out on the rocks below the cliffs throughout the year, porpoises are a fairly common sight further offshore, and the cliffs and headlands host a wealth of seabirds, making binoculars every bit as essential as walking boots for anyone tackling this route.
The path itself is a constantly changing procession of small, characterful seaside towns and villages, each with its own personality. Mwnt, with its iconic whitewashed medieval church perched above a beautiful beach, is one of the most photographed spots on the whole route, while nearby Aberporth and Tresaith offer classic Welsh seaside charm. Llangrannog and the dramatic headland of Ynys Lochtyn provide some of the most spectacular coastal scenery on the path, before the colourful harbour of New Quay, long associated with the poet Dylan Thomas, and the beautifully preserved Georgian seafront of Aberaeron bring a touch of elegance to the journey north.
History runs deep along this coast too, from Iron Age hillforts crowning several of the headlands to the remains of medieval stone fish traps still visible at low tide in places, and the lively 19th century harbours that once supported a thriving shipbuilding industry all along Cardigan Bay. The path eventually arrives in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion’s lively university town, where a ride on the Victorian cliff railway up Constitution Hill offers a superb final overview of the coastline you have just walked, complete with the world’s largest camera obscura at the summit.
What makes the Ceredigion Coast Path so rewarding is this combination of genuinely spectacular, ever-changing coastal scenery with a gentler, less crowded feel than its more famous neighbour in Pembrokeshire. The walking itself is properly varied, from steep, dramatic cliff sections to easier stretches through quiet villages, and the wealth of wildlife on offer, dolphins especially, gives every day on this coast the potential for a genuinely memorable encounter.
Our self-guided walking holiday along the Ceredigion Coast Path takes you the full distance from Cardigan to Aberystwyth, or on to Ynyslas, with all the logistics taken care of so you can simply enjoy the coastline. We arrange your accommodation each night, transfer your luggage ahead of you, and provide detailed route notes and mapping throughout, along with recommendations for the best spots for dolphin watching along the way. There are no fixed departure dates, and for those wanting to extend the adventure, this route links neatly with our Glyndŵr’s Way holiday at Machynlleth, allowing you to continue from the coast deep into the mountains of mid Wales.
Day 1: Arrive in Cardigan Make your own way to Cardigan, a historic market town on the River Teifi and the starting point for the Ceredigion Coast Path. Settle into your accommodation ready for the walk ahead.
Day 2: Cardigan to Aberporth The path passes the iconic medieval church at Mwnt before continuing along dramatic cliff scenery to the seaside village of Aberporth, keeping an eye out for dolphins offshore along the way.
Day 3: Aberporth to Llangrannog A scenic day past the pretty village of Tresaith and its waterfall beach, continuing on to Llangrannog, with the dramatic headland of Ynys Lochtyn a highlight of the day’s walking.
Day 4: Llangrannog to New Quay The trail continues via the quiet cove of Cwmtydu to the colourful harbour town of New Quay, long associated with the poet Dylan Thomas and one of the best places on the whole coast to spot bottlenose dolphins.
Day 5: New Quay to Aberaeron A shorter day along the coast brings you to Aberaeron, its elegant Georgian harbourfront houses painted in a rainbow of colours, a lovely spot to relax for the evening.
Day 6: Aberaeron to Aberystwyth A longer day along varied coastal scenery, passing through Llanrhystud on the way into the lively university town of Aberystwyth, with its Victorian seafront and castle ruins.
Day 7: Aberystwyth to Borth and Ynyslas A final day’s walking along the coast to Borth and the dune systems of Ynyslas at the mouth of the Dyfi Estuary, journey’s end, with fine views back across Cardigan Bay.
Day 8: Depart Enjoy a final morning by the sea before making your way home, or continue inland towards Machynlleth to pick up the Glyndŵr’s Way National Trail.
(Itinerary shown as an example – stages, mileage and overnight stops can be adjusted to suit fitness levels and available time.)
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