Ceredigion Coastal Path

Aberporth’s beautiful double bay is sheltered between two headlands. The smaller headland is known as St Cynwil’s point. Starting from here you will pass a wooden sculpture in the form of a ship's bare timbers - a reminder of the many ships that were built here, right on the beach. The coastal path weaves gently above a series of rocky coves with hidden caves and sea platforms. Great section to try and spot seals, subject to time of year.

For a good mile, the path is fully accessible, with great viewing points. The path reaches Tresaith, where there is the surprise of a waterfall that bursts over the soft cliff to the shore. The river Saith was a glacial meltwater channel, reduced by the sea's erosion of the cliffs. It is one of many such waterfalls you'll find over Ceredigion's coastal cliffs. The path continues down a wooded slope and crosses a steam to reach Llanborth, which makes a good stop for tea and cake before tackling the next section.

This next part of the path is one of the most challenging, but with this comes great rewards with the views. The path winds on and lies between Penbryn and Llangrannog are two big sharp climbs corresponding descents at Traeth Bach, and up to the ramparts of an iron age fort of Castell-bach, before descending into the village of Llangrannog. When arriving in Llangrannog you will come out by a statue of St Carannog who surveys one of the best-known views on the Coast Path.

This is known to be one of the most popular sections of the path, due to the wildlife and seabird spotting. Llangrannog lies across the boundary of two types of Paleozoic rock, Silurian and Ordovician. These names, internationally recognised and used by geologists worldwide. The names come from the two main Celtic tribes in Wales.

The next section of the path is possibly the most dramatic, a long stretch clinging to a steep sided slope. You will pass the hidden cove of Cwmtydu and the path crosses the wooded slope of the deep, narrow valley before crossing the little Drywi river. This whole stretch is owned and ran by National Trust and are constantly trying to improve the environment for wildlife, especially rare butterfly breeds that live here, such as the small pearl bordered fritillary butterfly.

Between Cwmtydu and Cwm Soden is Castell Bach, which is another iron age hillfort, easily identified by the curved remains of its ramparts, now very close to the cliffs as it is being eroded by the sea. After this stretch you will descend into New Quay.

New Quay's natural harbour is sheltered from prevailing winds by New Quay head, and a ‘new' stone quay was built in the early 19th century as shipbuilding boomed. On New Quay harbour, there is a famous statue of a young girl blowing a kiss towards the horizon, this statue is the halfway point of the Wales Coast Path. When the tide is out, it's possible to walk along the beach between New Quay and Llanina point, but there is an alternative route if the tide is in. Llanina church is said to have been built for the 6th century king of Wessex who wanted to show his gratitude for being saved by local people when he was shipwrecked on this coast. Beyond Llanina is Cei Bach, the ‘little quay’. From here the path gradually makes its way across a wooded slope.

The path then runs past several short rivers down to the sea through wooded valleys before dropping unexpectedly over the cliff to pebble coves. The most famous being Gilfach yr Halen, which is a reminder of the smuggling of salt that took place along the coast when the tax was much higher in Britain than over the Irish Sea in Ireland.  You will then walk up a slight hill to Henfynyw, where the church is on the site of an early monastery, and it is said that St David (Patron of Wales) spent his childhood there. You will then head into Aberaeron, where the days walk ends.

This is the gentlest stretch of the Ceredigion Coast Path. To start with you climb gentle soft cliffs along the coastal flats to reach the small hamlet of Aberarth. There was once part of a busy coastal shipbuilding industry. Aberarth was also the site where monks of Strata Florida imported the honey-coloured Bath stone from Bristol.

From Aberarth, you will walk over Graig Ddu ("black rock") which has amazing views towards Aberystwyth and Snowdonia. On this stretch, you will pass Llannon Llansanffraid church, which is dedicated to two female saints. The mother of St David and St Bridget (the female of patron Saint of Ireland). As you walk between Llanon and Llanrhystud there are remains of Craig-las limekilns and related buildings.

This route takes you along the Ceredigion Heritage Coast. From Llanrhystud, follow the path along the cliff, which pass highlights, such as Tŵr Gwylanod (seagulls' tower) Twll Twrw (the 'noise hole' or the 'clashing cavern') and Mynachdy'r Graig' (the monk's house on the cliff). There are no settlements along this section of the path, therefore it has become an important habitat and breeding ground for a wide variety of seabirds, including a colony of cormorants. You can spot chough, kestrels, peregrine falcons, and ravens too. The rock platforms below are a secluded nursery for Atlantic grey seals. Once done trying to spot wildlife, you will descend down Alltwen ridge and enjoy the views of Aberystwyth, its castle and beyond to the mountains of Snowdonia.

The final approach towards Aberystwyth harbour is along the shingle beach of Tanybwlch nature reserve, which lies below the distinctive Pendinas hill and Iron Age fort. To reach this, you will cross two rivers. First, the Ystwyth (this gave the town its name) and follow this as it runs behind the storm beach of Tanybwlch before it joins the sea at the harbour. The second river, Rheidol, empties into the harbour and you will edge around the harbour and marina and then cross Trefechan Bridge.

At this point you can head into the town centre, or you can enjoy the final mile by following the promenade around castle point.

It is at this stage that the Wales and Ceredigion Coast paths join and follows undulating contours of cliffs and slopes to Borth.

Between Aberystwyth and Clarach as you walk, you will passs over Craig Glais, or 'Constitution Hill'. The Cliff Railway can take the effort out of the steep climb to the summit, but worth it for the views. This part of the coast has several geological features which have given rise to legends. The most distinctive is Sarn Cynfelyn, a pebble 'causeway' that extends almost seven miles out to sea from Wallog.

The next 3 miles (5km) section between Clarach and Borth is the hardest, with several big climbs to tackle.  As you approach Borth you will be rewarded with expansive views over the Dyfi Estuary and the mountains beyond.

When you reach Borth, the Ceredigion Coast Path and The Wales Coast paths join. The Ceredigion Coast Path continues along the beach to Ynyslas dunes and the wide mouth of the Dyfi, where you can look across to Aberdyfi and Cadair Idris mountain.