Walk on Wales is a sponsored walk with a difference, since it is also a journey of community, remembrance and thanks. We want everyone to join in and to make this easy for you we have split the walk up into 11 stages or 62 walking days. Please note that the walkers congregate each morning at the start point by 9.00 am in order to set off at 9.30 am
Here we describe each of those days: where we are walking from; how difficult that part of the Walk is with regard to distance and ascent (1 being easy, 3 being advanced); and where we stop each night. Please be careful to select a day or stage of the Walk that is commensurate with your level of physical ability. Take a look around and decide how much (or little) you want to walk - don't forget if you want to walk an entire stage you will need to arrange your accommodation each night or you will have to bring a tent and camp. Please sign up here
The first stage is a short 46 mile hop from Cardiff Bay to Chepstow in the far south of Wales on the Severn Estuary.
Take in the historic sites of Cardiff, including the Norwegian Church (where Roald Dahl was christened) and iconic buildings such as the world renowned Wales Millennium Centre. This stage includes the Newport Wetlands Centre which is a National Nature Reserve and a haven for wildlife and Blackrock, the site of the old crossing point to England and, as well as a great view point, a lovely spot for a picnic.
This stage will be walked by Paul Conlon and his team.
Stage two, some 80 miles in total, starts off from Chester, travelling along a mixture of gentle riverside walking, wonderful sandy beaches, and family friendly towns and villages.
On the first two days you will see the 13th Century Flint Castle, the Point of Ayre Lighthouse, travel along the popular Talacre Beach and through a rich dune habitat before arriving at Prestatyn with its wonderful beaches and traditional seaside delights. From Prestatyn this stage continues through the fun filled seaside town of Rhyl with its seemingly endless sands before continuing along the coast to Pensarn, near Abergele. You’ll travel through Kinmel Bay which is a popular spot for watersports enthusiasts. This stage includes Little and Great Orme, the Victorian seaside town of Llandudno with its historic pier, and the mediaeval walled town of Conwy. This stage ends at the Menai Bridge from where the Walk will cross over onto the Isle of Anglesey
This stage will be walked by Billy Mott and his team.
Sponsors
29 August: Mara Electrical
30 August: Medico-Legal Conference
31 August: Coastline Taxis (JWS Cars Ltd)
1 September: Wiltshire Farm Foods
2 September: Ede & Ravensoft Ltd
Day Stage three is 90 miles and takes in two-thirds of the Isle of Anglesey. The Walk will pass through Beaumaris with its rich Georgian architecture before heading along the coast where you’ll enjoy superb views of the Carneddau mountains across the Menai Strait.
At Penmon Point you’ll see Puffin Island, a protected habitat because of its large cormorant population (but no puffins!). This stretch has fantastic coastal views throughout, and includes the picture-postcard village of Moelfre, the popular beach of Traeth Lligwy and little visited beach of Traeth yr Ora. The path passes by the memorial to those lost in the 1859 Royal Charter and 1959 Hindlea shipwreck disasters. From the historic copper port at Amlwch the path leads to low rocky cliffs and the spectacular bays of Porth Llechog (Bull Bay) and Porthwen before passing the remote Llanbadrig church and entering the coastal village of Cemaes. A moderately challenging section includes the Breakwater Country Park in Holyhead. The route heads over the mountain and Coast Path to the iconic South Stack, an RSPB reserve with fantastic birdwatching opportunities. Key points of interest include Beaumaris Castle, Carmel Head and South Stack.
This stage will be walked by Keith Lewis and his team
Stage 3 Sponsor: JW Lees Brewery
Day Sponsors:
4 September: The Nuffield Grosvenor Hospital, Chester
Walking the final stretch of the Isle of Anglesey, this stage is 80 miles and includes the famous Welsh village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch and the RAF Valley airfield.
Crossing back into Wales across the Menai Bridge, the Walk continues along the Coast to Caernafon with its famous Castle. This stretch passes around the rocky promontory of Porth Dinllaen from where you can admire views to the east and west along the Llŷn Peninsula’s northern coast. Here, you have a good chance of seeing seals close to shore. As you walk toward Aberdaron you will see Bardsey Island, once a destination for pilgrims. According to legend, three visits to Bardsey was equivalent to one visit to Rome. As covered on the BBC programme, Coast, the sands at Porth Oer (Whistling Sands) often ‘whistle’ when you walk on them!
This stage will be walked by Mark Horwood and his team.
Sponsors
11 September: Boardmen Gelly
13 September: Maldwyn Jones
14 September: Rhug Estate
15 September: Kenny Dawkins
Carrying on around the Llŷn Peninsula this 83 mile stage takes you across stunning cliff top walks, dropping down into Abersoch, with its colourful beach huts, past the unusual Mediterranean inspired village of Portmeirion, designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, famously used as a location for the 60s cult series, The Prisoner.
On this stretch you will see Criccieth and Harlech Castles which, together with Caernafon Castle, were part of Edward I’s 13th century campaign to conquer North Wales.
This stage will be walked by Steve Jones and his team.
Sponsors
18 September: Serco Health
19 September: Acorn Care
21 September:Market Fit Group
22 September:Market Fit Group
On this stage lie two stunning beaches with plenty of chances for refreshments along the way and the spectacular Mawddach Estuary with Cadair Idris looming in the distance.
The coast path takes an inland detour along the River Dyfi to the nearest crossing point at Machynlleth, with spectacular mountain scenery (including the Dyfi ‘Panorama Walk’ with expansive views) making an interesting contrast to the coast. The section between Borth and Aberystwyth is an interesting and challenging section with several big climbs. From Aberystwyth to Llanrhystud there are no settlements and with few feeder paths, this is one of the least walked sections of the coast path. Despite its challenges, it is rewarding. The final part of this stage, between two of Ceredigion’s main coastal towns, offers spectacular cliff top views. Aberaeron is regarded as one of the most attractive towns in Wales with a square of elegant Regency-style buildings and a famous purveyor of honey ice cream!
This stage will be walked by Andrew Speed and his team.
Arguably one of the most spectacular parts of the coastal path, this stage takes in the craggy coast of southern Ceredigion and northern Pembrokeshire. Llangrannog’s lovely beach is home to Carreg Bica – a rock which, legend has it, used to be a giant’s tooth.
This stage also includes a section of path specifically designed for wheelchairs along the eastern end of Aberporth Bay with spectacular cliff top views of the Ceredigion coastline. Aberporth is also a great place for dolphin spotting. Pass the Witches’ Cauldron – one of the most striking geological features on this stretch of coast, a collapsed cave forming a huge crater – and the tiny village of Cwm Yr Eglwys, whose church was washed away by a storm, leaving behind only one wall and a graveyard. Continue around the rocky St David’s Head with its Neolithic structures to the sweeping beach of Whitesands Bay.
This stage will be walked by Jim Salmon and his team.
Accommodation
Celtic Camping and bunkhouse accommodation, offers flexible bunkhouse accommodation and a spacious campsite on the 250 acre working farm of 'Pwll Caerog'. Ideally situated just 4 miles north of St Davids, enjoy spectacular sea views, easy access to the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path which runs through the farm. Welcoming individuals, small groups and large bookings of +200 people to our special corner of the UK's only Coastal National Park. Celtic Camping is offering Walk on Wales walkers a discounted rate of £18 per night B&B in the bunkhouse.
Telephone 01348 837405 - Email : celtic.camping@gmail.com Web : http://celtic-camping.co.ukFrom St David’s, pass the dramatic tidal races of Ramsey Sound (a good spot for
porpoises) and on to the pretty harbour village of Solva.This stretch skirts around the broad expanse of St Brides Bay, with long sandy beaches, before heading out west again with views to the nature reserve islands of Skomer and Skokholm, home to huge breeding populations of seabirds. In September and October, this is a great place for spotting seal pups on the beaches below Martin’s Haven (but remember that these are high cliffs so caution is always advised). In contrast to the remote coastal cliffs, this stage also takes in the deep-water port of Milford Haven – a flooded river valley or ‘ria’ – with its colossal gas tankers and historic defensive fortifications. The stage finishes in the dunes of Freshwater West, used as the setting for Shell Cottage in the movie ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’.
This stage will be walked by Mal Davies and his team.
Sponsors
9 October: The Fisher Partnership
10 October: Days Ford of Swansea
12 October: Milford Haven Port Authority
13 October: RWE Npower
14 October: Valero
This stage includes the strikingly beautiful Barafundle beach (voted one of the top ten beaches in the world, and not accessible by road!) and the tiny fishing port at Stackpole Quay.
It passes through Tenby, a bustling, pretty seaside town with pastel-coloured buildings and an intriguing Palmerston Fort perched on a rocky island. From the path there are great views out to Caldey Island, home to a religious community since the sixth century. Continuing along this stage the path reaches the estuaries of Carmarthenshire and passes the romantic ruins of Laugharne, Llansteffan & Kidwelly Castles. At Laugharne you will find The Boathouse, home to Wales’ most famous poet, Dylan Thomas. On the way to Burry Port is Pembrey Forest, a nature reserve managed by the Forestry Commission. Planted in sand dunes, the Corsican pines and deciduous trees grow on what was once a huge explosives factory, employing up to 3000 people to manufacture TNT during the First and Second World Wars.
This stage will be walked by Rob Davies and his team.
Accommodation: Coastal Wood Holidays at Marros (SA33 4PW), have very kindly offered anyone walking with Walk on Wales a 20% discount. Their beautiful self-catering cottages overlook the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and are hidden between Pendine Sands and Amroth Beach.
Sponsors
18/19 October: Llanelli Rural Council
20 October: Schoolhouse Daycare
This stretch of the Path is an area of contrasts; from the stunning coastline of the Gower Peninsula, with its award winning golden beaches, to the busy seaside city of Swansea and the dramatic industrial landscape of Port Talbot.
The path follows a stretch of coast rich in wildlife with a spectacular and varied landscape. It passes through National Trust land, much of which is remote, rugged and wild. Port Eynon Bay was voted best British beach in 2011. You will pass through woodland and across open cliffs, and take in the beautiful Three Cliffs Bay with its tall dunes and snaking river. Passing Mumbles pier and following the long curve of Swansea promenade, the route later climbs to enjoy a unique view of Port Talbot from the upland path. Finally, pass through the vast dune system at Kenfig National Nature Reserve, home to wild orchids, insects and other wildlife. Before entering Porthcawl, the route runs by some of the best surfing and watersports beaches in Wales, and passes the notorious Tudor mansion of Sker House, said to be haunted and the inspiration for R D Blackmore’s novel The Maid of Sker.
This stage will be walked by Dai Graham and his team.
Sponsors
23 October: Specsavers, LLanelli
26 October: Kew Occasionals RFC
27 October: Schoolhouse Daycare
28 October: Richard Davies Investor Relations
The final stage of the walk includes Traeth yr Afon beach, the National Nature Reserve at Merthyr Mawr and the Castle and stepping stones at Ogmore.
Enjoy the fascinating geology of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, with its crumbly limestone and shale cliffs and spectacular ‘wavecut platform’ rocky beaches. The route passes the twin lighthouses at Nash Point and the imposing St Donats Castle – first a medieval castle, then the home of American newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst and now an international college with its own lifeboat station. Take in the formerly bustling coal port of Barry and the clifftop town of Penarth before dropping down to cross the Cardiff Bay Barrage, finishing in Cardiff Bay.
Stage 11 Sponsor: The Priory Group
Day Sponsors:
30 October: Schoolhouse Daycare
31 October: Arqiva
2 November:AON