D181: NEWPORT to CARDIGAN BAY
Thursday 18th September 2025
Today miles: 17.0 Total miles: 2959.5
The stretch that I’m walking today between Newport and Cardigan Bay is generally regarded as the toughest section on the Wales Coastal Path. According to my route planner there’s over 4000ft of ascent, which is almost the equivalent of walking up Britains highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Thankfully the weather is forecast to be overcast but mostly dry. I caught the early bus back to Newport and within a few minutes I’m back on the coastal path and crossing over the Afon Nyfer (a narrow river) I walked along the side of the river for a few minutes and passed several nice houses. One of these properties has a basket of free apples on there driveway and I helped myself to a couple. I ate one immediately and stuffed the other into my pack. I don’t know what variety it was but it was delicious and juicy. I soon reached Newport golf club and could see the route ahead through the low hanging cloud. There’s a steep ascent coming up and as I looked out towards the ridge I spotted another walker on the path around half a mile in front of me, seconds later he disappeared into the low cloud. I’d eventually catch up with him later today. This steep ascent was the first of many over the next three miles.
It was overcast but the rain was staying away, for now. The ground was muddy and I had to take great care, particularly on the downhill sections. There a nice flat section after Ceibwr Bay and this was where I managed to catch up with the other solo walker. We only chatted briefly and I left him to enjoy his lunch. We’d pass each other several times during the next ten miles. The route arrived at the mouth of the River Afon Teifi and I could see Cardigan Island in the distance. Soon after skirting along the side of the estuary the path runs through a small campsite. Unfortunately the campsite more resembled a scrap merchants then somewhere I’d want to pitch my tent, there were also two crazy border collies barking and snapping at my heels. Thirty minutes later I arrived at Poppit Sands RNLI station and there’s a small but busy place to grab a coffee.
From Poppit Sands it’s an easy three miles along a solid tarmac road. The path then cuts through St Dogmeals before it finally arrives in Cardigan Bay. I crossed the river Afon Teifi and walked into the town centre where I ended my walk. I grabbed some additional food before jumping aboard the bus back to Fishguard. It’s my final night in the caravan Park and I spent some of the night washing and drying my dirty clothes.
Werewolfandflump UK Coast Path 