KTA Hiking Trip on the Wales Coast Path
August 15-26, 2023 or
September 26 - October 7, 2023
DAILY ITINERARY (subject to change)
Day 1: Evening departure from Philadelphia International Airport.
Day 2: Morning arrival in Manchester, second-largest city of the UK. Our hotel is conveniently next to the train station with a direct link to Manchester International Airport. Explore Manchester on your own or join us for an interesting walk along the historic canal.
Day 3: Morning train departure for Machynlleth in Wales. After arrival, we will visit Glyndwr's parliament building, now a museum, for a taste of Welsh history, and walk a short section of Glyndwr's Way, a National Trail that passes through town. Meal provided: B.
Day 4: The hiking begins! Machynlleth to Tre'r-ddol, 10 miles. From the famous clock tower in Machynlleth, we climb the "Roman Steps" and begin our journey from the hinterlands to the bay. Much of the trail is new as it passes through the lovely Llynfant Valley. High points provide numerous views of the Dyfi Estuary. In Tre'r-ddol, we take a bus back to Machynlleth. Meals provided: B, L.
Day 5: Tre'r-ddol to Aberystwyth, 5 or 10.5 miles. A bus delivers us to the trailhead at Tre'rddol where the trail continues toward the bay, passing through the extensive Cors Forchno bog, part of the Dyfi National Nature Reserve and one of the finest raised peat bogs in Britain. The bay is reached in the village of Borth where a bus or train can be taken to Aberystwyth. The next section to Aberystwyth is more strenuous, following a roller coaster cliff top path with several climbs. The pebble "causeway" of Sarn Cynfelyn stretches out to sea at Wallog. The last climb of the day is over Craig Glais with great views of Aberystwyth below and Pembrokeshire in the distance. A steep descent leads us to our hotel accommodations in Aberystwyth. Meals provided: B, L.
Day 6: Rest day in Aberystwyth, a lively university town on Cardigan Bay. Totally relax or visit the local attractions which include the 1891 funicular railway up Constitution Hill, the ruins of Aberystwyth Castle built in 1277, walking the Promenade and the pebbly beaches, the National Library of Wales, the Vale of Rheidol Steam Train, and Aberystwyth University. There is also a local laundromat available. Pubs and restaurants abound. Meals provided: B.
Day 7: Aberystwyth to Llanon, 10 or 12 miles. From the Aberystwyth promenade, we pass the harbor pier, the old university and castle ruins. From here to Llanrhystud, the path is dramatic, lonely and extremely worthwhile as there are few side trails and no settlements. A highlight is the climb up Allt-wen and the walk along its 460' crest with expansive views. Another highlight is the Penderi Cliffs festooned with stunted oak trees. From Llanon, we take a bus to our lodgings in New Quay. For a shorter hike, bus service is also available in Llanrhystud. Meals provided: B, L.
Day 8: Llanon to Aberaeron to New Quay, 6 miles or 12 miles. One of the easier stretches around Cardigan Bay, we mostly traverse beaches and low cliffs. From Llanon, we hike along the coastal flats before a gentle climb up Graig-ddu with beautiful views of Cardigan Bay. Down the other side, we pass through picturesque Aberaeron with its pretty harbor and colorful buildings. Bus service is available from here to New Quay. Continuing on, we reach Cwm Buwch which features a waterfall plunging to the inaccessible beach below. The last two miles to New Quay are along beaches. New Quay is an attractive little seaport with houses stacked up a steep hillside. Meals provided: B, L.
Day 9: New Quay to Llangrannog to Aberporth, 8.5 miles or 13.5 miles. Today's hike is the most spectacular along the Ceredigion Coast. Leaving New Quay, we pass Birds Rock, renowned as a great place for spotting marine wildlife and seabirds. Soon we are following a stunning footpath cut directly into the coastal slope with non-stop expansive views of Cardigan Bay. For a shorter hike, the village of Llangrannog has bus service to Aberporth. After two steep climbs, we follow a cliff top path with stupendous views on our way to seaside Aberporth. Meals provided: B, L.
Day 10: Aberporth to Gwbert, 9 miles. From Aberporth, the path detours inland to avoid a military range, then returns to a remote section along cliff tops and coastal slopes. We climb the popular and rugged path up Mwnt with surpassing views and descend through attractive farmland to our hotel in the village of Gwbert and the end of our journey. Meals provided: B, L.
Day 11: In the morning, a charter bus will transport us back to Machynlleth where we connect with the train to Manchester. Meal provided: B.
Day 12: Return home.
