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Itinerary Planner

Ceredigion Coast Path | Three Days from New Quay to Aberystwyth

Aerial view of the Ceredigion coast along Cardigan Bay

The Ceredigion Coast Path is the 60-mile stretch of the Wales Coast Path along Cardigan Bay. This three-day walk covers the northern half, about 25 miles from the harbour at New Quay to the seafront at Aberystwyth, past cliffs, coves, seal beaches and two of the prettiest harbour towns in Wales. Cardigan Bay is one of the best places in the UK to see bottlenose dolphins from the cliffs.

Day one: New Quay to Aberaeron (about 6 miles)

Start with a morning boat trip from New Quay harbour with New Quay Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips, then set off north along the cliffs. The path is gentle by coast path standards, with views back over the bay. Drop into Aberaeron, the Georgian harbour town with its terraces painted in bright colours, and stay the night.

Day two: Aberaeron, Llanerchaeron and on to Llanrhystud (about 7 miles)

Walk a mile or two inland first along the Aeron to Llanerchaeron, a Georgian villa and working farm run by the National Trust, with walled gardens and a home farm. Back on the coast, the path runs north past Llansantffraed and the long shingle beaches to Llanrhystud. Moody Meadows near Llwyncelyn, a few minutes' drive from Aberaeron, has a bistro serving Welsh food and a farm shop if you want to stock up before setting off.

Day three: Llanrhystud to Aberystwyth (about 11 miles)

This is the toughest and most dramatic day, with steep climbs over high cliffs and almost no road access. Watch for grey seals in the coves below. The path finally drops over Pendinas hill into Aberystwyth, where the promenade runs from the harbour to Constitution Hill. Finish with dinner at Harry's, a bar and bistro in the town centre.

Good to know

  • Buses run along the A487 between Aberystwyth, Aberaeron and New Quay, so you can leave the car at one end.
  • Day three has no shops or cafes on the path. Carry food and water.
  • Keep dogs on leads near livestock and cliff edges, and check boat trip times the day before.

More on the Wales Coast Path in Mid Wales.

Product Information

  1. Cei Newydd | New Quay

    A visit to New Quay is all about sandy beaches that extend in an arc around the bay, the harbour where boat trips will take you dolphin spotting in Cardigan Bay, and the great Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas enjoyed a few pints in the local.

    Address

    New Quay, Ceredigion, SA46 0JP

    Tel:

    01970 612125
  2. New Quay Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips

    ''A 'Dolphin Spotting Boat Trip' offers a fun educational experience for all ages. Cardigan Bay's Special Area of Conservation is home to bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic grey seals and many seabirds. Dogs welcome free of charge. Currently one wheelchair accessible boat. Group discounts, WC on board…

    Address

    Dolphin Spotting booking office, Harbour Master Building, Main Pier, New Quay, Ceredigion, SA45 9NW

    Tel:

    01545 560800
  3. Wales Coast Path | New Quay - Aberaeron

    New Quay to Aberaeron is a popular section of the Wales Coast Path that presents no major challenges. The walk is a distance 10.5km (6.5miles)

    Address

    Cei Newydd | New Quay, New Quay - Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA46 0JP

    Tel:

    01970 612125
  4. Aberaeron

    Aberaeron is one of Wales's most stylish coastal towns. It is on the Ceredigion coast and the Wales Coast Path is accessible from the town. Sited at the mouth of the river Aeron, the harbour operated as a port in the 19th century and steam ships continued to visit until the 1920's.

    Address

    Ceredigion, SA46 0BT

    Tel:

    01545 570602
  5. Llanerchaeron

    Llanerchaeron near Aberaeron is managed by the National Trust. The self-sufficient estate includes an elegant Georgian villa, designed by architect John Nash in 1790, a farm, walled gardens and lake.

    Address

    Ciliau Aeron, Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA48 8DG

    Tel:

    01545 573010
  6. Moody Meadows | The Moody Cow Bistro

    Where Wales is on the menu
    You will feel immediately at home in the rustic and welcoming bistro, where the best of Welsh food and drink is freshly prepared daily. Sit back, relax and enjoy a sumptuous home cooked meal, treat yourself to an afternoon tea, or just come and sample the vast selection…

    Address

    Bargoed Farm, Llwyncelyn, Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA46 0HL

    Tel:

    01545 580 947
  7. Ceredigion Coast Path | Aberaeron - Llanrhystud

    5th section of the Ceredigion Coastal Path
    Total distance 11.9km (7.4 miles)
    Aberaeron to Aberarth 3.1km (1.9miles), grade/easy
    Aberarth to Llanon 4.8km (3.0 miles), moderate-easy
    Llanon to Llanrhystud 4.0km (2.5 miles), grade/easy

    Address

    Aberaeron, Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA46 0BT

    Tel:

    01545 570602
  8. Ceredigion Coast Path | Llanrhystud-Aberystwyth

    6th section of the Ceredigion Coastal Path Llanrhystud to Aberystwyth
    Total Distance 17km (10.6 miles) Grade - moderate/hard
    Despite being challenging this section of Heritage Coast is dramatic, lonely and extremely worthwhile.

    Address

    Llanrhystud - Aberystwyth, Llanrhystud, Ceredigion, SY23 5BW

    Tel:

    01545 570602
  9. Aberystwyth

    Welcome to Aberystwyth - a beautiful and lively seaside town on the Mid Wales coast. Enjoy stunning natural beauty, cultural attractions, unique shopping and dining, and a range of accommodation options. Easily accessible by railway, bus, or car, Aberystwyth is the perfect destination for your next…

    Address

    Ceredigion, SY23 2AG

    Tel:

    01970 612125
  10. Harry's Bar & Bistro

    Harry’s Bar is a hidden gem, with it’s low lighting and relaxed atmosphere, beautifully decorated oasis. Refurbished to indulge that warm cosy feeling, Harry’s set’s the feeling of a relax, enjoyable evening while serving up sumptuous food

    Address

    40-46 North Parade, Aberystwyth, SY23 2NF

    Tel:

    01970 612647

Itinerary Distances

FromToDistance * (metric)
Cei Newydd | New Quay (52.21322,-4.3637)New Quay Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips (52.21541,-4.35795)0.42
New Quay Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips (52.21541,-4.35795)Wales Coast Path | New Quay - Aberaeron (52.21535,-4.35782)0.01
Wales Coast Path | New Quay - Aberaeron (52.21535,-4.35782)Aberaeron (52.24305,-4.2654)6.31
Aberaeron (52.24305,-4.2654)Llanerchaeron (52.21805,-4.22788)3.4
Llanerchaeron (52.21805,-4.22788)Moody Meadows | The Moody Cow Bistro (52.2072,-4.28665)3.77
Moody Meadows | The Moody Cow Bistro (52.2072,-4.28665)Ceredigion Coast Path | Aberaeron - Llanrhystud (52.24305,-4.2654)3.82
Ceredigion Coast Path | Aberaeron - Llanrhystud (52.24305,-4.2654)Ceredigion Coast Path | Llanrhystud-Aberystwyth (52.30564,-4.14446)9.71
Ceredigion Coast Path | Llanrhystud-Aberystwyth (52.30564,-4.14446)Aberystwyth (52.41246,-4.08311)11.34
Aberystwyth (52.41246,-4.08311)Harry's Bar & Bistro (52.41585,-4.08196)0.35
Total Distance *39.13 miles
Estimated Journey Time1.26 hours

* Approximate distance by road

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