South Wales Coast Path

South Wales Coast Path

A self-guided walking holiday from Swansea to Chepstow along the Wales Coast Path

9 to 12 nights
114 miles
Moderate to Demanding

From £1265 per person

Find your holiday

About this route

9 to 12 nights
114 miles
Moderate to Demanding
2nd January to 24th December

From £1265 per person

South Wales Coast Path

Explore the maritime cityscapes and lively nature reserves of the Welsh coast with a self-guided walking holiday along the South Wales Coast Path, from Swansea to Chepstow.

The coast here is an ever-changing blend of natural and industrial. The trail delves beneath the towering structures of the Newport Transporter Bridge and the glossy buildings of Cardiff’s marina, exploring the busy history of this populous stretch of Wales’ coast. But it intertwines long wanders along beaches, beneath cliffsides carved into stunning rock formations and through nature reserves alive with hundreds of thousands of birds

Stunning dunes await at Ogmore and Merthyr Mawr, as the South Wales Coast Path tours between small towns and quiet villages. Ultimately it curves into the mouth of the Severn Estuary, where the views are shaped by the second highest tidal range in the world. You can spot Somerset and Bristol from this gorgeous section of the path, out across the glittering water. It’s a stunning end to the Wales Coast Path, the first footpath in the world to tour a country’s coast in full.

Standard
Interactive
© Contours Walking Holidays South Wales Coast Path map
Swansea/Chepstow
114 miles (183 km)
2nd January to 24th December

Holiday highlights

Learning about the industrial history of this busy stretch of Wales' coast, with visits to the many museums in the three great cities along the route: Swansea, Cardiff and Newport.

Birdspotting through the Gwent Levels, Newport Wetlands Nature Reserve and along the Severn Estuary.

Departing the bustling cities to wander through sand dunes and along heritage coastline between quiet villages.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
SW1 From Swansea Trafalgar Bridge(L) to Chepstow 9 nights, 8 days walking Demanding £1265
SW2 From Swansea Trafalgar Bridge(L) to Chepstow 12 nights, 11 days walking Moderate £1670

South Wales Coast Path 9 nights, 8 days walking

£NNN per person
  • Itinerary
  • What's included?
  • Extra nights?
  • Tour facts
  • Route profile
  • Travel info
  • Weather
  • Holiday Highlights
Start

Travel to Swansea Trafalgar Bridge(L) where your first night's accommodation will be booked

Day 1

Swansea Trafalgar Bridge(L) to Margam(L). 14.5 miles (23km)

Day 2

Margam(L) to Ogmore Castle(L). 16 miles (25.5km)

Day 3

Ogmore Castle(L) to Llantwit Major(T). 11 miles (17.5km)

Day 4

Llantwit Major(T) to Barry(L). 15.5 miles (25km)

Day 5

Barry(L) to Cardiff. 13.5 miles (21.5km)

Day 6

Cardiff to Newport(T). 16 miles (25.5km)

Day 7

Newport(T) to Redwick(L). 14.5 miles (23km)

Day 8

Redwick(L) to Chepstow. 14.5 miles (23.5km)

Finish

Depart from Chepstow after breakfast

Your Itinerary

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.

Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.

The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation in most cases; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard if practical. A very limited number of stops will require you to travel on foot up to two miles off the trail, however these instances will be clearly communicated to you if applicable.

Further transfers may also be required due to some accommodations having a two-night minimum booking policy, especially at weekends.

Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:

A note about transfers
Solo Traveller Supplement
£65.00 per person / per night
Single Supplement
£50.00 per person / per night


You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£65.00 per person / per night
Standard
Interactive
© Contours Walking Holidays South Wales Coast Path map
Swansea/Chepstow
114 miles (183 km)
2nd January to 24th December

Holiday highlights

Learning about the industrial history of this busy stretch of Wales' coast, with visits to the many museums in the three great cities along the route: Swansea, Cardiff and Newport.

Birdspotting through the Gwent Levels, Newport Wetlands Nature Reserve and along the Severn Estuary.

Departing the bustling cities to wander through sand dunes and along heritage coastline between quiet villages.

What's included?

  • 9 nights' accommodation in en-suite rooms (where available) in selected B&B’s, hotels, inns and guesthouses along the trail, or a short distance away via taxi provided at our expense.
  • Breakfast each day.
  • Door to door luggage transfer.
  • Maps with the route marked on and a guidebook or route notes describing the trail.
  • An information pack containing an itinerary, instructions on how to find your accommodation each night and a kit list.
  • Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of your holiday and back from the end of it.

Extra Nights & Rest Days

The South Wales Coast Path is a wonderful walk celebrating everything the region’s coastline has to offer. Those wanting to explore the sights more thoroughly can add extra nights into their holiday, giving you more time to enjoy the coast in all its glory.

Barry is a good choice for an extra night’s stay. As the largest town in South Wales, this handsome seaside resort has everything you need to enjoy a break from walking, or if you want more time to get to know the local area. From the vibrant High Street packed with independent shops to its selection of beautiful parks, gardens and beaches, there is no shortage of scenery to explore or activities to pursue.

Barry’s rich maritime history is apparent in the town’s docks and waterfront, and you can also follow the Barry Women’s Trail around the town, which celebrates prominent female figures who originated from the town. Overall, the town of Barry has loads to see and do, and is worth a second look for those passing through.

If you’re looking for somewhere livelier to spend an extra day or more during your holiday, consider the Welsh capital city of Cardiff. Not only does Cardiff boast some of the finest restaurants and great retail opportunities, but it is also home to the mighty Cardiff Castle, where you can discover 200 years of fascinating history. There are two brilliant museums in the city if you wish to learn more about the local area, as well as a plethora of galleries and unique architecture to explore.

Nature lovers can wander through Dyffryn Gardens, or even take a boat trip to Flat Holme Island, where you can spot a variety of animals and learn about the island’s incredible past - there really is something for everyone in and around Cardiff.

Chepstow marks the end of the South Wales section of the Wales Coast Path and has plenty of interesting landmarks and activities to justify extending your holiday. Perhaps its most prominent feature is its Norman Castle, hailed as Britain’s oldest surviving post-Roman stone castle. Perched above the River Wye, the castle is a fantastic monument to explore on a clear afternoon.

The town’s handsome Georgian and Victorian buildings hold a variety of independent boutiques and eateries, while other places of interest include the Chepstow Museum, the Gate and Port Wall and the Priory Church of St Mary. With all of this on offer and much more to discover, Chepstow is a fantastic place in which to celebrate the completion of the South Wales Coast Path.

You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£65.00 per person / per night

Tour Facts

Total distance: 114 miles (182.5 km)
Duration: 9 nights, 8 days walking
Minimum daily distance: 11 miles (17.5 km)
Maximum daily distance: 16 miles (25.5 km)
Code: SW1 Grade: Demanding
Season: 2nd January - 24th December
Start of holiday: Swansea Trafalgar Bridge(L)
End of holiday: Chepstow

Route Profile

South Wales Coast Path Route Profile

Travel Information

Useful information and travel links that will assist you in your plans to travel to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent to you with your full tour pack. A summary is given below:

By Air - The most convenient international airports for the start of the trail are Cardiff Airport and Bristol Airport.

By Rail - There is a rail station at the start of the trail (Swansea) and at the end of the trail (Chepstow).

By Bus - Various bus services run to Swansea and from Chepstow.

From London - Trains run from London Paddington station to Swansea.

Return To The Start - the easiest way to return to the start of the trail (Swansea), is to take the train from Chepstow.

Weather Information

To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:

  • MetCheck - This website allows you to look up detailed weather information for specific locations as far as six months in advance.
  • Met Office - This website shows regional area forecasts a few days in advance, with a general UK forecast description of up to 30 days in advance.
  • Mountain Forecast - This website shows what the forecast is like up on specific hills and fells, and offers forecasts a few days in advance.
"Swans on Tenant Canal" by Philippa Sharp (2023) "Swans on Tenant Canal" by Philippa Sharp (2023)
"View of Sully Island" by Philippa Sharp (2023) "View of Sully Island" by Philippa Sharp (2023)
"Barry Island" by Philippa Sharp (2023) "Barry Island" by Philippa Sharp (2023)
"Penarth Pier" by Simon and Clare Parker (2023) "Penarth Pier" by Simon and Clare Parker (2023)
"Fishing at Black Rock" by Simon and Clare Parker (2023) "Fishing at Black Rock" by Simon and Clare Parker (2023)
"Lavernock" by Simon and Clare Parker (2023) "Lavernock" by Simon and Clare Parker (2023)
"Capturing the Geology of South Wales" by Simon and Clare Parker (2023) "Capturing the Geology of South Wales" by Simon and Clare Parker (2023)