Wales Coastal Path set to open this weekend

Big things are happening in Wales as the brand-spanking new Wales Coastal Path will covers the entire length of the Welsh coastline.

That’s right, all 870 miles of it. And it’s due to open this bank holiday weekend (5 May) just in time for an early summer hike.

At 870 miles its set to become the country’s longest national trail, at over double the length of the Pennine way, and 200 miles longer than the South West Coast Path. There’s already plans for avid adventurers to become some of the first people to walk every nook and cranny of the Welsh Coastline.

Twenty-six-year-old Dave Quarrel is among those who are determined to become one of the first people to cross the finish line, and is planning to set off from Cardiff Bay on the 5 May, ready for the 870-mile trek to Chester.

And if that isn’t enough, he’s also following the well-established Offa’s Dyke trail back along the Anglo-Welsh border to complete a circuit of Wales. He’ll soon be followed by Steve Webb who’s due to start on the 10 July in Chepstow, arriving in Chester on the 3 September.

And if walking the length and breadth of Wales isn’t enough, Arry Beresford-Webb is in the midst of running 39 marathons along the same 1087 mile route as David Quarrel. She is due to finish in Cardiff on the day of the official opening this Saturday (5 May). All three intrepid travelers are raising money for charity, as well as regularly updating us on their adventures on their blogs.

The path begins on the English border near Chester, and, if you decide to undertake the entire trek, ends in the market town of Chepstow overlooking the Bristol Channel.

It takes in everything from the natural scenery of the Pembrokeshire National Park and the Gower Peninsular to the urban landscapes along Cardiff’s waterfront. And though not everyone will manage the 870 miles of coastline, there’s still plenty of sections to explore.

The Conwy section even features QR codes for tech-savvy walkers to scan and find out more about the history of the area.

Head to visitwales.co.uk for more information.

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