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. Between these 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.

Looking to complete the full Wales Coast Path? This itinerary links up perfectly with the Gower Coast Path to the west.