From Rail to Trail

It’s easier than you think to visit the path by train. With parts of the path well connected to the rail system, you can leave the car at home and travel to and from the path at your leisure. It’s a great opportunity to sit back and enjoy the Welsh coastline from a different perspective.  

We’ve put together a list of the trains stations along the path to help you plan your visit using the train and descriptions on how you find your way from the train station to the path.  

Download maps showing where Transport for Wales trains run across Wales and the border 

North Wales coast 

Chester

From Chester station it’s a pleasant 2.3 miles / 3.75 kilometres canal-side walk to the start (or finish) of the Wales Coast Path.

From the station, walk straight ahead down City Road for a few hundred yards until you reach the canal. Take the steps down to the towpath and head west with Chester’s City Walls keeping you company for part of the route. These are the oldest, longest and most complete in Britain, parts of which are almost 2,000 years old.

On reaching the canal basin, go through a hole in the wall and down Catherine Street to a recreation ground. From here, a Wales Coast Path fingerpost points the way alongside the river Dee.

Flint

The one-off design of Flint Castle marks the start of this walk. From here a very flat path runs along the banks of the Dee estuary - a protected site due to its importance for birds and other wildlife. To reach Flint Castle from the station walk 0.1 miles / 0.2 kilometres down the aptly-named Castle Street.

Prestatyn

Uniquely, the journey from Prestatyn railway station to the coast follows one of Wales’ other National Trails, the Offa’s Dyke Path. From the station simply head straight down Bastion Road for 0.5 miles / 0.8 kilometres to reach the Wales Coast Path by Prestatyn’s Nova Centre.

Rhyl

On reaching the sea at Rhyl, a seemingly endless stretch of golden sand will now be your companion, whether you turn right toward Prestatyn or left towards Colwyn Bay. Walk straight ahead out of the railway station for 0.3 miles / 0.5 kilometres down Elwy Street, then Bodfor Street, then Queen Street to reach Rhyl promenade and the Wales Coast Path.

Abergele & Pensarn

This must be one of the closest railway stations to the Wales Coast Path in North Wales. Turn right out of the station on to Sea Road to cross the tracks - and you’re there. Turn right for Rhyl, left for Colwyn Bay.

Colwyn Bay

Turn left out of Colwyn Bay station, down some steps and through an underpass on your left to reach the promenade and the Wales Coast Path.Head west on the path through serene Rhos-on-Sea and over the Little Orme to the elegant Victorian resort of Llandudno, or head east towards Abergele.

Llandudno Junction

This station is a great starting point to walk to two of the urban gems on the Wales Coast Path - the magnificent medieval castle and walled town of Conwy(see Transport for Wales’s 2-for-1 entry offer to CADW sites) or the Queen of Welsh Resorts, Llandudno.

To reach the path, turn left through the station car park and left again onto Conwy Road at the mini roundabout. Go through a short subway and under the flyover before taking the steps or the ramp to join the cob over the estuary to Conwy or along the estuary through Deganwy to Llandudno.

Deganwy

It’s worth getting off the train here purely for the view across the Conwy estuary to World Heritage Site, Conwy Castle (see Transport for Wales’s 2-for-1 entry offer to CADW sites). It’s only 0.1 miles / 0.2 kilometres to the path from the station. Take the exit from the station car park and keep left. Once you’ve crossed the railway line turn left for Conwy and right for Llandudno.

Llandudno

A spectacular five-mile loop of the Great Orme headland from the station here will bring you back to the centre of Llandudno. To reach the path, walk straight out of Llandudno railway station down Vaughan Street for 0.3 miles / 0.4 kilometres, crossing the busy Mostyn Street to reach Llandudno’s elegant Victorian promenade.

Conwy

One of the most picturesque little towns in Wales, Conwy’s well-preserved narrow streets and medieval castle (see Transport for Wales’s 2-for-1 entry offer to CADW sites) provide a fabulous start to your coastal walk.

From the station (some trains only stop here on request) cross Lancaster Square and head down the High Street for 0.2 miles / 0.3 kilometres to the pretty quay which is home to a small flotilla of colourful fishing boats and the smallest house in Britain. Turn left towards Penmaenmawr and you have a choice of taking the flat roadside route along the coast or the more spectacular - but also more demanding - route along the hilltops and moors to Llanfairfechan.

Penmaenmawr

Turn left out of the station (some trains only stop here on request) and in a couple of hundred yards, left again through an underpass to reach the Wales Coast Path on Penmaenmawr promenade.

Llanfairfechan

The first section of the Wales Coast Path from Llanfairfechan to Bangor runs alongside the vast expanse of Lavan Sands. At the eastern end of the Menai Straits, there are superb views over to Anglesey and Penmon. To reach the path, turn right out of Llanfairfechan station (some trains only stop here on request) along West Shore and join the Wales Coast Path in 0.2 miles / 0.3 kilometres at Caradog Place.

Bangor

It’s a straightforward walk along Holyhead Road through student-populated Upper Bangor to reach the iconic Thomas Telford-built Menai Suspension Bridge. Uniquely, on reaching the Menai Suspension Bridge you have the option to take the path in four different directions:

1. Cross the bridge to Anglesey and turn right through the town of Menai Bridge to Beaumaris with its amazing World Heritage Site castle (see Transport for Wales’s 2-for-1 entry offer to CADW sites)
2. or turn left past the beautiful Church Island and the Britannia Bridge to LlanfairPG to catch a train back.
3. Or you could stay on the mainland through some atmospheric National Trust woodlands towards Y Felinheli and Caernarfon and its astounding World Heritage Site castle (see Transport for Wales’s 2-for-1 entry offer to CADW sites)
4. or turn back the way you came towards Bangor Pier and a loop through the city back to the railway station.

To reach the path, simply turn left at the exit of the railway station and stay on this road for the next 1.8 miles / 2.9 kilometres. On leaving Upper Bangor there is an option to take a parallel path (on the left hand side) through woodland alongside the main road.

Public transport option

The simplest and quickest way to reach the Wales Coast Path from Bangor railway station is to catch a bus to Amlwch, Holyhead or Menai Bridge from the bus stop on the main road just outside the station.

Disembark at the Antelope Inn, just before crossing the bridge. (Please note that at the time of writing, a temporary weight limit on the bridge means that all buses must divert their route here and cross the Britannia Bridge on to reach Anglesey).

(time of writing August 2022)

Anglesey

Llanfair PG

The station sign at Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch provides an iconic picture opportunity before setting off from this railway station.

To reach the path, it’s a 0.4 mile / 0.6 kilometre walk starting along a grassy track at the back of the railway station. Turn right on Station Road and right again at the junction with the A4080.

You will reach the path in a few hundred yards and have the option to continue straight ahead for South West Anglesey or turn left to reach Nelson’s statue on the banks of the Menai Strait and walk underneath the Britannia Bridge and Menai Suspension Bridge.

Rhosneigr

As you enter the village, turn right to join the path along the dunes and vast beach of Traeth Crigyll (a Welsh name derived from the practice of “wrecking” - luring ships onto the rocks) and onwards towards Holy Island.

Going straight on at this point will take you through Rhosneigr towards the ancient cairn at Barclodiad y Gawres and the amazing island-church of St Cwyfan. It’s a 0.5 mile / 0.8 kilometre walk on the pavement by the A4080 from the station to reach the Wales Coast Path as you enter the village.

Valley

From here you can explore the quieter southern half of Holy Island to Trearddur (where you can catch the Holyhead-Llangefni bus back to Valley) or head towards Rhosneigr (catch the Aberffraw - Holyhead bus back to Valley).

From Valley station take the B4545 (Station Road) towards Four Mile Bridge for 0.8 miles / 1.3 kilometres. Cross the bridge over the A55 and go straight on at the roundabout. You will reach the Wales Coast Path by Penybont, on the outskirts of the village of Four Mile Bridge.

Holyhead

Described by many as one of the finest sections to walk on the path, the walk from Holyhead towards Trearddur has a country park, rugged cliffs, ancient monuments, an iconic lighthouse and a nature reserve as some of its highlights.

And it couldn’t be simpler to reach. Just join the Wales Coast Path on the Celtic Gateway bridge which connects the station with the town of Holyhead.

South Wales

Chepstow

A magnificent 600-year-old castle (see Transport for Wales’s 2-for-1 entry offer to CADW sites) dominates the pretty market town of Chepstow at the southern end of the Wales Coast Path. And Chepstow railway station couldn’t be more convenient. Go straight down Station Road from the station to join the Wales Coast Path by the Tesco supermarket.

Cardiff Bay

From Cardiff Bay Station you have the option to follow a popular section of the route past the Wales Millennium Centre, the Senedd and across the tidal barrage towards Penarth (where you can catch a train back to Cardiff Central). Alternatively, cross over onto Hemingway Road to join the path towards the long, isolated sea wall to Newport. The Wales Coast Path is directly across the road (Lloyd George Avenue) from the station.

Penarth

Known as the Garden by the Sea in times gone by, Penarth has successfully retained its charm to this day and makes a great starting point for a walk. Cross the road from the railway station and take the footpath between the Turner House art gallery and the Glendale Hotel down through Alexandra Park to reach the Wales Coast Path by Penarth Pier 0.3 miles / 0.5 kilometres away.

Barry Island

The Wales Coast Path passes right in front of Barry railway station. Turn left to discover the delights of Barry Island, or right to head towards Penarth.

Port Talbot Parkway

The exit road to the car park (Oakwood Road) connects directly to the Wales Coast Path within a couple of hundred yards at the roundabout on Harbour Way. Turn right to walk along Aberavon beach towards Swansea and left past the steel works to reach Kenfig Nature Reserve and the low cliffs to Porthcawl.

Briton Ferry

Briton Ferry station is convenient as it provides options to take the upland route above Port Talbot with far-reaching views across Swansea Bay,or take the lowland route along the lovely Aberavon Sands into Port Talbot and onwards towards Porthcawl.

Out of the station, turn right on Ynysmaerdy Road for 0.1 miles / 0.2 kilometres before reaching the junction with the A474 (Neath Road). Turn right and head straight down this road for 0.7 miles / 1.1 kilometres to reach the point where the route splits, at a busy roundabout on the junction with the A48.

Swansea

Swansea

Disembark here for a fabulous accessible flat walk from the marina around Swansea Bay to the lovely seaside village of Mumbles. Or head east through the ongoing redevelopment of the marina and university and along the disused Tennant Canal past Crymlyn Bog – home to Britain’s largest spider!

Walk 0.9 miles / 1.5 kilometres straight out of Swansea station down the B4489 (High Street) passing the remains of Swansea Castle on your left. Continue down Wind Street, crossing over the busy A4067 and straight down Somerset Place to cross the River Tawe via the footbridge. Go straight ahead to join the Wales Coast Path at the sharp corner of the Prince of Wales Dock.

Gowerton

From here the path onto the North Gower coast is largely flat and dominated by some pleasant former industrial and fishing villages before becoming more rural, including Weobley Castle (see Transport for Wales’ 2-for-1 entry offer to CADW sites).

Head west through Loughor and most of the route is along a popular shared cycleway through the reclaimed wasteland of the Millennium Coastal Park. Head straight down Station Road crossing a junction by the Commercial Hotel onto Sterry Road. Cross over a roundabout bearing slightly right and onto Bryn y Mor Road. It’s 0.8 miles / 1.3 kilometres to reach the Wales Coast Path.

Carmarthenshire

Bynea

Head South East for 0.6 miles / 1.0 kilometres down the B4297 (Heol y Bwlch) until you reach Bynea Gateway car park on your right. Join the Wales Cost Path through the car park to join the Millennium Coastal Park to Llanelli and Burry Port where you can catch a return train. Or turn left down Yspitty Road where you will soon cross the Loughor Bridge and reach Loughor Castle.

Llanelli

The Wales Coast Path here provides a pleasant and accessible walk in both directions along the paved shared cycleway of the popular Millennium Coastal Park.

It’s only 0.5 miles / 0.9 kilometres from the station. Turn left on Great Western Crescent and immediately left again onto Glanmor Road (don’t fork right onto George Street) until you reach a roundabout. Turn right here onto Marine Street, following it all the way to a largish roundabout. Cross over at the roundabout to join the Wales Coast Path.

Pembrey and Bury Port

A starting point for two very contrasting walks. Head east towards Llanelli through the very popular, mainly tarmacked, Millennium Coastal Park. Or take a quieter route west along the vast sands of Cefn Sidan beach, through Pembrey Forest to Kidwelly and its ancient castle.

It’s only 0.2 miles / 0.3 kilometres to reach the path. Leave the station via the car park and down Ashburnham road to reach a roundabout. Cross over here towards the lighthouse to join the path by the marina.

Kidwelly

Once off the main road beyond Kidwelly and it’s medieval fortress (see Transport for Wales’ s 2-for-1 entry offer to CADW sites) the route east is peaceful through Pembrey Forest and along the huge golden expanse of Cefn Sidan beach. The journey west towards Ferryside explores the very quiet countryside above the Gwendraeth and Towy estuaries.

Reaching the path from Kidwelly station could not be easier. Simply walk out of the station onto Quay Road, and you’re on the Wales Coast Path.

Ferryside

Get off the train here to spend a day exploring the undulating rural agricultural heartlands of Carmarthenshire, largely in solitude, in both directions. Be sure to check out the views across the Towy Estuary to Llansteffan with its beach and castle - the ferry journey here was recently named one of the most spectacular in the world by The Independent newspaper. Join the Wales Coast Path on the road right in front of the station.

Carmarthen

Undulating field paths, rural tracks and mainly minor roads lead down the western side of the Towy Estuary to the quiet village of Llansteffan with it’s ruined castle and pretty beach. Meanwhile the eastern side of the estuary, once out of Carmarthen, explores the valleys and uplands of rural Carmarthenshire. Join the Wales Coast Path right in front of the station.

Pembrokeshire

Saundersfoot / Kilgetty

We do not recommend using Saundersfoot station to reach the Wales Coast Path as it is narrow and twisty with no pavement.

However if you get off at Kilgetty station there is an hourly bus service (opposite the Co-Op store) to Saundersfoot and regular return buses (381) from Saundersfoot or Tenby. There are also less frequent return options (the 351 service) from Amroth and Pendine.

Tenby

There are two options to join the Wales Coast Path from Tenby station, one towards the iconic, picture-postcard North Beach, the other towards Tenby’s mile-and-a-half-long South Beach.

To reach North Beach, take a left out of the station car park and head 0.25 miles / 0.4 kilometres down Warren Street to join the Wales Coast Path. A slight detour will discover the remains of Tenby’s castle on the headland with stunning views of Caldey Island, then leave Tenby through some coastal woodlands towards the beautiful sandy beach at Saundersfoot, and Amroth where, at very low tides you can spot the fossilised remains of a 5,000-year-old forest.

To reach South Beach, leave the station car park and head right down Station Road.To access the high tide route take the first turning on the right signposted “Golf course.”

Or to reach the main route of the Wales Coast Path continue straight on to Tenby’s South Beach then left at the bottom of the slope and continue west along towards Penally, Lydstep and Manorbier (you can catch a return train from Penally or Manorbier).

Penally

Penally station is on the Wales Coast Path route which is used during high tide or if the MoD firing range is being used.

Low tide route / no live firing on MoD range - At anything other than high tide and when the firing range is not being used, turn right out of the station, take the footpath over the Level Crossing and follow the surfaced path onto the Wales Coast Path at South Beach.

High tide / live firing alternative route west If it’s high tide, or the firing range is in use, turn left out of the station and follow the road for 0.4 miles / 0.6 kilometres before taking the first footpath signposted National Trail on the left to join the path. 

High tide / live firing alternative route east If you’re walking east towards Tenby, turn right out of the station and walk 550 yards / 500 metres until you reach a gravel track on the right.

Pass right of a cottage and carefully cross the railway line to a fenced path. Continue straight ahead beside the railway bearing right 90 yards / 80 metres after passing the entrance to Tenby Golf Club. Continue uphill beside South Beach car park and when the lane swings left, take the footpath on your right. When you see a path coming up from the beach, you have re-joined the main path.

Manorbier

Your 1.5 mile / 2.5 kilometre walk from the station to the Wales Coast Path passes the pretty village and magnificent Norman castle at Manorbier.

Heading south out of the station go down Station road past Manorbier Country Park until you reach the A4139. Bear right and cross the road in front of the chapel and take the footpath down the lane, across the fields.

Head right when you join a lane then take the first left over the cattle grid towards Park Farm. Take the second footpath on the left before the farm passing a medieval dovecote and around the edge of Manorbier Castle to join the Wales Coast Path at the beach.

Lamphey

Before leaving Lamphey for the coast, consider taking some time to explore the Bishops’ Palace - a sort of medieval holiday home for the Bishops of St Davids. It’s only 600 metres / 660 yards from the railway station.

To reach the Wales Coast Path 2.5 miles / 4.0 kilometres away join the A4139 briefly before turning right down the B4584 signposted for Freshwater East. Take care as there is no pavement after leaving the village. Take the footpath track on the left passing Westhill Farm, cross two fields to enter a lane to a junction with the B4584 at Portclew. 

Turn left and in half a kilometre you will reach the settlement of Freshwater East, take a right turn here onto Trewent Hill and stay on this road for a further 0.6 miles / 1.0 kilometre, or just take one of the footpaths through the dunes to the coast.

Pembroke

The spectacular medieval birthplace of Henry Tudor, Pembroke Castle, the earliest parts of which are almost 1,000 years old is your starting point on the Wales Coast Path in Pembroke. To reach it, turn left on the A4139 (along Station Road, then Main Street after the roundabout) and follow it for 0.7 miles / 1.2 kilometres all the way to the castle.

Pembroke Dock

Between 1814 and 1926 workers at Pembroke Dock built five Royal Yachts and 263 other vessels. The town is still notable for the buildings and defences of its 19th century Royal Navy dockyard.

From the station, turn right on the B4322  (Water Street) and you will reach the Wales Coast Path in 0.1 miles / 0.2 kilometres at a roundabout. Here you can head straight on to cross the Cleddau Bridge towards Narberth or turn left to head towards Pembroke.

Milford Haven

From Milford Haven, head west towards the beautiful Sandy Haven or east on a sometimes surprising section of the path which seems to bypass much of the estuary’s industry. To reach the path turn left out of the station, keeping the Tesco supermarket across the road on your right to join the Wales Coast Path at the roundabout in 0.1 miles / 0.2 kilometres.

Fishguard and Goodwick

Spectacular clifftop walking is the order of the day on the Wales Coast Path here, whether you head north through Fishguard’s picturesque Lower Town towards Newport or west out onto the headland towards the magnificent, isolated lighthouse at Strumble Head.

Turn right out of the station down Station Hill. When you reach a roundabout turn left towards the sea and the Wales Coast Path. It’s only 0.1 miles / 0.2 kilometres from the station.