Time Stands Still in this Corner of the Welsh Heartland

This is a landscape steeped in Welsh folklore, where the mountains and ancient structures of the region often form the subject of song and legend. The Meirionnydd Coast Path traces a course around Snowdonia National Park, along the coast where the mountain, Cadair Idris, towers over the horizon.

Highlights
  • This area is influential in the site of many of Owain Glyndŵr’s exploits – Harlech Castle and Machynlleth in particular
  • Take in the sights of the beautiful Mawddach Estuary with, views towards Cadair Idris
  • Walk along the sands at Barmouth beach
  • Dinas Oleu, the first National Trust property – a small diversion from the path
  • Ffestiniog – a steam powered railway running between Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog
  • The Italianate portside town of Portmeirion
  • 6 to 7 nights
  • 60 mls (view km)
  • Porthmadog, North-West Wales
  • Moderate
  • Mar to Oct
  • £535

Gazing Out Across Land and Sea from the Meirionnydd Coast Path

The Meirionnydd Coast Path forms the wilder, more remote section of the Wales Coast Path with numerous sites of historical interest built into the coasts rocky outcrop. Tiny churches and beaches lie cradled among the rocks and dunes as the path opens up and slopes beside the sea. Our trail links famous sites such as Harlech Castle, with prehistoric monuments dotted along the coastline – here we have a region unchanged, with an unbroken link across Welsh history.

Along your route, you have the option of visiting the famous Welsh town of Portmeirion. Perched in the slopes overlooking the river, the town was designed in 1925 and styled on an Italian portside village. Your route crosses paths with estuary, small fishing villages and miles of sandy beaches and typically steers a close course to the shore, with the exception of where our trail diverts inland to finish at Machynlleth – site of Owain Glyndŵr’s coronation.

Please be aware that this stretch of The Wales Coast Path is comparatively less populated than other routes along the Welsh coast. With that in mind - plan ahead, take a packed lunch from your hosts and anything else that you would usually buy en-route. There's no guarantee that there will be shops or services available in the small villages you come across along the way.

Path Walkthrough

Map of Meirionnydd Coast Path Walking Holiday
Our Meirionnydd walking route takes you along the coast from Porthmadog to Machynlleth

Your holiday begins in Porthmadog, along the causeway that cuts through marshlands towards Minffordd and Portmerion. From your woodland walk, there are glimpses of the coast past Harlech - where the path becomes predominantly coastal towards Barmouth.

A long viaduct (Barmouth bridge) takes you over the estuary toward Morfa Mawddach, where the section gradually becomes hillier beyond Fairbourne. The route descends toward Llwyngwril and climbs back towards Tywyn, where your route consists mainly of minor roads, drove paths and bridleways. From Tywyn, there is a long sandy walk to Aberdyfi and from there the route turns away from the sea where you take the remainder of the route through wild, rolling hillside towards Machynlleth.

Walk Gallery

Coast view from Harlech Castle Credit:Matt Buck
Walking Holidays West Wales
Meirionnydd Wales Coast Path
Wales Coast Path Meirionnydd
Ariel vew of Harlech castle, town and beach backdrop of the mountains in Snowdonia
Port at Portmeirion Hotel at dusk
smal crowd of beachgoers at Portmeirion Beach on the Meirionnydd Coast
image of Welsh countryside walking sheep and fields
Meirionnydd Walking through fields
Image of Harlech Castle
Image of The Clock Tower at Machynlleth
Meirionnydd Gallery Harlech Town and its Castle
Ffestiniog Railway Wales Coast Path Walking Image Gallery
Walking West Wales
View over the Meirionnydd Coastal Path
Meirionnydd Coastal Path

Meirionnydd Walking Holiday Itineraries

Prices are per person, based on two people sharing, single person supplements apply.

Porthmadog to Machynlleth

Length: 70 miles/112 km | Difficulty: Moderate

CodeDurationStart Price 
MCP16 nights, 5 days£535 (pp)View Itinerary
MCP27 nights, 6 days£630 (pp)View Itinerary

Prices based on two people sharing, single-supplements estimated at £35.00

Porthmadog to Machynlleth

Six nights, Five days
Price: £535 (pp)
Solo walker supplement: £35 (pn)
Holiday Code: MCP1
DaysLocationsDistance
Day 1Arrival Porthmadog
Day 2Porthmadog to Harlech11 miles/17.5km
Day 3Harlech to Tal-y-Bont      10.5 miles/17km
Day 4Tal-y-Bont to Llwyngwril            14 miles/22.5km
Day 5Llwyngwril to Aberdyfi12.5 miles/20km
Day 6Aberdyfi to Machynlleth                    12 miles/19.5km
Day 7Depart Machynlleth

Itinerary Information: Six nights accommodation with five days walking. Arrive on day 1 in Porthmadog, walk from day two and leave on the morning of day seven.

Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.

Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.

What's Included: view full details.

Back to all itineraries

Porthmadog to Machynlleth

Seven nights, Six days
Price: £630 (pp)
Solo walker supplement: £35 (pn)
Holiday Code: MCP2
DaysLocationDistance
Day 1Arrival Porthmadog
Day 2Porthmadog to Harlech11.5 miles/18.5km
Day 3Harlech to Tal-y-Bont             10.5 miles/17km
Day 4Tal-y-Bont to Barmouth5.5 miles/8.5km
Day 5Barmouth to Llwyngwril                    9 miles/14km
Day 6Llwyngwril to Aberdyfi                    12.5 miles/20km
Day 7Aberdyfi to Machynlleth12 miles/19.5km
Day 8Depart Machynlleth

Itinerary Information: Seven nights accommodation with six days walking. Arrive on day one in Porthmadog, walk from day two and leave on the morning of day eight.

Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.

Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.

What's Included: view full details.

Back to all itineraries

  • What's Included?

    We include:

    • Accommodation provided in high standard B&Bs, farmhouses and small local inns, with en-suite or private facilities where available
    • Breakfast included in price
    • Flexible itinerary with choice of daily distances to suit requirements
    • Walk pack including Trail Guide, itinerary, accommodation directions, local interest leaflets and holiday planning
    • Daily luggage transfers

    Optional:

    • Packed lunches provided
    • In-house evening meals where available, or choose from a selection of local inns and restaurants
    • Extra rest day to explore the local and surrounding areas at your leisure
  • Price Info.

    Bank Holidays & Short notice bookings may incur extra charges.

    Rest Days: From £45.00 pp per night

    Recommended locations for Rest Days are Porthmadog (for the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways), Harlech, Barmouth and Machynlleth

    Single supplements

    Single person bookings: £35.00 per night

    Where singles are walking as part of a larger group and are willing to share a Walk Pack: single room occupancy supplements will apply

    Postage Overseas:£5.00 (Europe), £10.00 (Rest of the World) per walk pack

    Upgrade accommodation

    If you wish to upgrade your overnight accommodation on occasion, we will be happy to arrange this wherever availability allows – prices to be advised.

  • Getting There

    Trains call at Porthmadog roughly once every two hours Monday - Saturday, with a solitary train stopping in each direction on Sundays. During the day, trains run through to/from Shrewsbury and Birmingham International (joining or splitting from a portion to/from Aberystwyth), but in the evening they start/terminate at Machynlleth.

    Trains from Machynlleth meet Pwllheli and Aberystwyth, towards Shrewsbury and Birmingham International. The service in each direction is approximately two trains hourly.

    Bus services cover the area from Bangor to Aberystwyth.

  • Best Time to Travel

    We offer trips around the Meirionnydd coast from Mar-Oct, as the rest of the year will tend to experience heavy rainfall. Although the climate is generally quite mild, walkers should be prepared for the possibility of heavy rain. The driest month, July, has on average 98 mm of rainfall per month.

    Average Sunshine Day Meirionnydd Porthmadog Wales                                        Average Rainfall Meirionnydd Porthmadog Wales                                       Average Temperature Meirionnydd Porthmadog Wales

Enquire About Meirionnydd Coastal Path

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