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Walk the Wales Coast Path from Borth to Aberystwyth

By Dave Roberts   

on December 16, 2020   4.67/5 (3)

Posted in Wales Coast Path - Ceredigion Coast Path

Walk the Wales Coast Path from Borth to Aberystwyth

Further Details

Route Summary:

Short but spectacular introduction to the Ceredigion Coast Path.

Start and Finish: Borth to Aberystwyth

Distance: 10.3 km

Ascent: 310 m

Time: 3 hours

Timings are approximate and depend on the individual. Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Facilities:

Plenty of shops, cafes and pubs in Borth and Aberystwyth, with cafes, pubs and convenience stores at Clarach. There’s also a cafe on top of Constitution Hill.

Public Transport:

Machynlleth, Borth and on to Aberystwyth are served by the Cambrian Line

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Hazards:

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Keeping Safe on the Wales Coast Path,  Navigation and the Gear and Equipment you’ll need.

Wales Coast Path Guidebooks:

Recommended Wales Coast Path Maps: 

Walk the Wales Coast Path from Borth to Aberystwyth Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

Download file for GPS

Walk the Wales Coast Path from Borth to Aberystwyth

The Wales Coast Path from Borth to Aberystwyth follows the former Ceredigion Coast Path and unlike the previous two sections, is some proper coastal walking again. This is a short section, but spectacular with clifftop walks all the way to Aberystwyth.

Borth to Clarach

Heading south from Borth, you may be lucky enough to see the remains of the sunken forests, but their appearance depends on both a low tide and that the beach has been suitably scoured by winter storms. These are quoted by some to be the remains of the lost land of Cantre’r Gwaelod, a mythical land that’s sometimes called the Welsh Atlantis that was lost when it was flooded by the sea. While the civilisation and evidence for it are more myth than fact, the sea was certainly lower around 5000 years ago and that land was subsequently flooded. So it’s probable that the story of Cantre’r Gwaelod has some basis in fact, which has been embellished and changed as it was told over the years.

South from Borth, the Ceredigion coast boasts some spectacular coastal walking, climbing high over the cliffs of Craig y Delyn before descending to Wallog. Here you’ll see the remains of the glacial moraine known as Sarn Gynfelyn, thought at one point to be a causeway to Cantre’r Gwaelod. Looking at it, you can certainly understand why people believed this to be so.

A jumbled beach: sunken forest, groynes and beacons, Borth The beginnings of the sunken forest merge into the new sea defence groynes looking south along the beach. There is much for the many families on this part of the sands to explore.
Stumps, pools and a broad view south, Borth sunken forest
Borth on a really good day And there are many of them in Borth, despite many drab, wet days too. Down among the rock pools looking across to the main part of the village
The busy beach at Borth It’s a very low tide, an idyllic summer’s day and there are dozens of people on the beach, exploring the rock pools, paddling or simply walking. Borth at its best.
Path above Craig yr Wylfa Borth Coastal path leading down to the bay.
Llwybr Arfordir Cymru / Wales Coast Path Un o sawl darn trawiadol o arfordir Ceredigion / One of the many stunning sections of the Ceredigion coast.
Craig y Delyn
Uwchben Wallog / Above Wallog
Wallog Llwybr yr Arfordir / The coast path.
Sarn Gynfelyn This gravelly spit of land at Wallog is one of three glacial moraines stretching out into the northern half of Cardigan Bay at right angles with the coast. Sarn Gynfelyn is the shortest of the three in total extent, but the one with the largest portion above the mean low water line.
Wallog Odyn galch / Lime Kiln.
Coastal view north of Clarach Bay

Clarach to Aberystwyth

Beyond Wallog, it’s a short walk over to the holiday village at Clarach. It’s a proper miniature seaside resort with all the usual trappings, so you’ll have no problem finding refreshments here in season. The final leg is short, but involves a good pull up over Constitution Hill into Aberystwyth. On the summit of Constitution Hill you can visit the Camera Obscura, one of the largest of its kind in the world, as well as a cafe. It can be busy up here as the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway conveniently ferries people up to the summit. It’s a short steep decent into Aberystwyth to finish this section.

Cliffs by Clarach Bay The small headland in the centre of the photo encloses the northern end of Clarach Bay, whilst beyond the further headland can be seen some of the sea front buildings in Aberystwyth.
Beach and cliffs at Clarach Bay Photographs taken here tend to concentrate on the delights of the coast rather than the delights of the holiday parks behind the beach. This is a pleasant bay and beach with clifftop walks to north and south. Sea front buildings at Aberystwyth are visible beyond the headland.
Clarach Bay Caravans and leisure facilities at Clarach Bay.
Wales Coast Path, Aberystwyth Looking north from Constitution Hill towards Clarach Bay.
Aberystwyth from Constitution Hill Early on a June morning, mist clings to the cliffs south of town.
Camera Obscura, Constitution Hill This octagonal building on Constitution Hill to the north of Aberystwyth houses the largest Camera Obscura in the World with a primary mirror measuring 14″.
Aberystwyth sands seen through the camera obscura The camera obscura seen on top of Constitution Hill in the photograph SN5882 : Looking up towards the camera obscura gives a fascinating live and moving image of scenes far below in Aberystwyth, projected using mirrors onto a round table in a darkened room. The technology involved is very dated, but the experience is unique and not to be missed.
Aberystwyth – Cliff railway climbs Constitution Hill Constitution Hill rises from sea level to 114m (374′) to the north of Aberystwyth. Climbing most of this is the Cliff Railway (see shared description below). The guest houses and hotels on the New Promenade cluster along the sea front below it.
Rhodfa Fuddug / Victoria Terrace Cerddwyr yn mynd ar hyd Rhodfa Fuddug. Walkers strolling along Victoria Terrace.
Marine Terrace Bedding display in a planter on Marine Terrace.

 

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

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