Cardiff Coast Circular Walks
This section of the Wales Coast Path is 9 miles / 14.5 km long and is one of the more urban sections of the path. This is where the coast meets the city where the path runs alongside urban canals onto suburban streets. Take in the city vibes with a leisurely stroll around Wales’ capital city, Cardiff, with historic landmarks like Cardiff Castle, home to many an outdoor concert. Enjoy a wander around Cardiff Bay ad you’ll come across some of the most iconic landmarks like the impressive barrage, the Senedd (Welsh Parliament), Norwegian Church and the distinctive red brick Pier Head building. The busy sights and sounds of Cardiff Bay barrage offer opportunities for locals and visitors a bite to eat, drink or simply to sit and watch the world go by – like the views of the Severn Estuary and over to south-west England.
The nearby popular Victorian seaside of Penarth is in easy to reach by walking the across the barrage. The decorative 1920 art deco Penarth pier pavilion has a glorious seafront setting is perfect for coffee and a cake break to soak up the seaside views.
Penarth Circular Walk
Penarth was a popular Victorian seaside resort that appealed to city dwellers from Cardiff as well as to miners from surrounding colliery towns. Most would arrive by train, which in those days continued along the coast to Barry Island, while some would arrive on ferries from Cardiff.
The town was known as ‘The Garden of the Sea’ and it still attracts people who enjoy a quiet and relaxing type of seaside town. A lovely, easy walk of 5.1 miles / 8.3km includes a cliff-top stretch of the Wales Coast Path and a surprising number of green spaces around the built-up parts of town.
If arriving by train, this is the end of the line, but look a little further and you will discover that the continuation of the line is now a splendid footpath and cycleway. It forms a green, tree-lined wildlife corridor straight past terraces of old houses and new housing estates, all the way to Cosmeston. It links very quickly with the Wales Coast Path, which follows an easy path along a low cliff overlooking the Bristol Channel, where views stretch to Somerset in England.
Penarth boasts a fine pier, opened in 1895, and the Wales Coast Path climbs past stout old houses on The Kymin to reach a tiny clifftop park and viewpoint on Penarth Head. After descending to Penarth Marina, where shiny vessels and a new housing development can be admired close to the Cardiff Bay Barrage, a remarkable winding path climbs through St Joseph’s Park, followed by flights of steps to return to the centre of Penarth.
Top Tip
Check out railway heritage, take tea on the Victorian pier, enjoy extensive views and admire the completely redeveloped Penarth Marina beside the Cardiff Bay Barrage.
Cardiff Bay Trail Circular Walk
Cardiff Bay was once a tidal harbour with the world’s largest coal exports, then the enormous Cardiff Bay Barrage sealed the bay so that it became a freshwater lake in 1999. The Cardiff Bay Trail encircles the bay, seeing it from all possible angles, in a simple, easy waterside walk of 6.3 miles / 10.2km. If that’s too long, there’s plenty of public transport available, including novel water bus services.
Start in the remarkable open space of Roald Dahl Plass, overlooked by the glass, steel and slate façade of the Millennium Centre. Take the time to appreciate the history and heritage of the former docks, reading noticeboards, looking at sculptures and artwork, while being intrigued by the variety of new buildings and their uses.
The Wetland Reserve offers a complete contrast and a wooden walkway allows walkers to stand surrounded by reeds far out in the waters of the bay. Either short-cut across the Taff Viaduct, also known as Pollinger Bridge, or walk through Hamadryad Park and walk along both banks of the tidal River Taff. Either way, continue through the International Sports Village and take particular note of the range of water-sports enjoyed there.
Cross the Pont y Werin footbridge and note the new waterside path that leads to Penarth Marina. The Wales Coast Path is joined and followed across the awesome Cardiff Bay Barrage, passing a Scott of the Antarctic display. Iconic landmarks such as the Norwegian Church, Senedd and Pierhead Building are passed on the return to Roald Dahl Plass and the Millennium Centre. Read the detailed route description for Cardiff Bay Trail (opens in the Wales Coast Path website)
Top Tip
Walk slowly and take the time to marvel at the history and heritage of the docks and bay, appreciating the vast urban renewal that has taken place following the construction of the Cardiff Bay Barrage.
Cardiff City & Barrage Circular Walk
Three great signposted trails link together to offer a superb urban waterside walk from Cardiff city centre to the Cardiff Bay Barrage and back, in a 7.3 mile / 11.8km circuit. The riverside Taff Trail, the Cardiff Bay Trail and the Wales Coast Path all enjoy specific watery themes and feature great views of the city from all angles. For such an urban walk, there are plenty of green spaces and wide-ranging views.
Starting from Cardiff Central Station, the River Taff and the Taff Trail are joined in mere minutes across a bridge from the Principality Stadium. Simply follow the riverside paths until they link with the Cardiff Bay Trail, which passes all kinds of water-sport facilities in the International Sports Village. Cross the Pont y Werin footbridge and follow a new waterside path to Penarth Marina.
The Wales Coast Path is followed across the astounding Cardiff Bay Barrage, passing an interesting display dedicated to Scott of the Antarctic. The iconic Norwegian Church, Senedd and Pierhead Building are passed on the way to the lovely open space of Roald Dahl Plass and the imposing Millennium Centre.
The Wales Coast Path heads inland but maintains a waterside theme alongside the Bute East Dock through the Atlantic Wharf development. Look out for cormorants perched on concrete bollards in the water. Lovely restored canal towpaths lead back into the city, leaving only a short walk back to Cardiff Central Station. Read the detailed route description for Cardiff City & Barrage (opens in the Wales Coast Path website)
Top Tip
Look out for interesting noticeboards illustrating the history, heritage and wildlife encountered along these three trails. Bear in mind that plenty of attractions and distractions around the city centre need extra time to enjoy.
We hope you have enjoyed these Cardiff Circular Walking Routes, it’s great to have a list of routes that are available to those travelling by rail, a fun way to explore the countryside.
There are many more exciting walking routes available to visit across Wales including all of the fabulous Welsh Coast Path Circular Routes.
