Cardigan to Newport - Wales Coast Path

1 hour special – Section 30 of the Wales Coast Path.

After reaching Cardigan Jan and Don set out to tackle the challenging, if not most demanding section of the Wales Coast Path: Cardigan to Newport. However, success on this section will be rewarded by fish and chips at the campsite.

Travelling back to the Teifi estuary they walk through the picturesque St Dogmaels, with its ruined abbey to reach stop number one: the rather beautiful Poppit Sands. They then tackle a mile long road walk uphill to Alt-y-Coed to start path walking around Camaes Head. After talking to fellow walkers, they realise they missed something important.

Rounding Camaes Head the lads bid farewell to their final views of the Ceredigion section and start to take in the Pembrokeshire Coastline. At Pen yr Afr walking over the tallest cliffs in Wales they are presented with the first majestic views of coastal erosion with the path hugging the edge of the remnants.

With no amenities along the way and only one exit route from the path towards halfway the lads are heavily weighted down with food and extra water adding to the challenge of tackling these steep ascents and descents next to many sheer drops.

The lads take a break on the bridge at Pwllygranant where Don encounters toilet brush plants, before tackling more spectacular ups and downs before reaching halfway - Ceibwr Bay.

Back on the trail there is another steep rise to tackle before ascending into the Witches Cauldron, an impressive collapsed sea cave passed over by the remaining land bridge. Another steep climb gets them back on top before dropping down to see the natural arch at Bwn Bach.

Rounding near to Carreg Bica the lads are preparing themselves for the next big ascent up onto Cell Howel. The first section looks steep, and it is – but before long the lads are on top and able to enjoy some dolphin spotting and horse watching.

With the relentless sun and heat levels rising approaching Trwyn Y Bwa Jan and Don expect views of Newport but turn the corner and are faced with more cliffs to climb. This spurs Jan to pick up the pace to reach the café on Newport Sands for much deserved refreshments.

The final stretch takes them successfully over a golf course, past a lime kiln that Don does not have the energy to investigate, and over the bridge on the Afon Nyfer before reaching camp in Newport.

Fish, chips and beer are enjoyed but after 19.2 miles of rugged terrain the lads hardly have the energy to celebrate.

Looking back on this section, the demands of the walk are high but are worth it to experience the sheer scale of imposing crumbled beauty this section has to offer.

Jan has a kebab and fantasizes about walking in the Bahamas, Don obsesses over sheer cliff drops.