Wales Coast Path (Meirionnydd)

This is the Meirionnydd stretch of the Wales Coast Path walked as a one way, point to point long distance route from Porthmadog to Machynlleth, about 60 miles (96.6 km) and normally spread over five days. It is a section of the wider coast path rather than the whole thing, and it is a different line from the Meirionnydd Coast Walk variant that begins at Aberdyfi. From the town end at The Cob, the way threads past Portmeirion, Harlech, Barmouth, Llwyngwril, Tywyn and Aberdyfi before turning inland above the Afon Dyfi to finish at Machynlleth.

• Porthmadog to Harlech, 11 miles. Woodland and tree fringed estuary walking, passing close to Portmeirion.
• Harlech to Barmouth, 17 miles. The long day, with wildlife rich wetlands and big beaches backed by dunes.
• Barmouth to Llwyngwril, 8 miles. Crosses Barmouth Bridge over the Mawddach estuary, then climbs to a higher road through an older landscape.
• Llwyngwril to Aberdyfi, 12 miles. Farmed countryside, quiet lanes and another long beach.
• Aberdyfi to Machynlleth, 12 miles. Hill views above the Afon Dyfi as the path heads briefly inland to the finish.

The challenge here is accumulation rather than anything technical. There is no mountain scrambling, but there are repeated long days, and surfaces change constantly: paved town and estuary paths, grassy tracks, sand and soft dune, farm tracks, quiet lanes and one inland hill section. Beaches and salt marsh are open to wind and weather with little shelter, so a headwind can make a flat mile feel long. Overall it sits at a moderate grade for a multi day walk, with the inland Dyfi finish asking a bit more of your navigation and logistics than the coastal days.

Three estuaries shape the walk, the Dwyryd, the Mawddach and the Dyfi, linked by sandy beaches, salt marsh and dune systems. Harlech Castle, Portmeirion and the walk across Barmouth Bridge are the landmarks people remember. Coastal wildlife worth watching for includes dolphins, grey and common seals and harbour porpoises offshore, with crabs and starfish in the shallows, mining bees in the dunes and marram grass holding the sand together.

Start at Porthmadog and sort accommodation or transport between stages before you set off. The Cambrian Coast Railway gives plenty of access and exit points along the coastal days, which makes reshaping stages easy. The Aberdyfi to Machynlleth day is less flexible by rail, though buses serve points such as Pennal. Dogs are welcome on public footpaths and open access land, but must be under close control on rights of way, on a lead of no more than 2 m on open access land from 1 March to 31 July, and on a short lead near livestock and wildlife. Some beaches carry local dog restrictions, and dogs are not allowed at Portmeirion.

Editorial rating: 77/100, ranked 31. A satisfying long coastal line with real variety, best suited to walkers who enjoy steady distance, changing ground underfoot and wide open estuary skies.