D185: ABERYSTWYTH to MACHYNLLETH
Tuesday 23rd September 2025
Today miles: 21.7 Total miles: 3034.3
I had a great rest day yesterday. I did some shopping, picked up a new pair of walking shoes, reduced from £80 to only £30, had a nice hot meal and then supped several pints whilst sitting in the sun. I left my accommodation early and grabbed myself a quick coffee from a beachside kiosk. Within ten minutes I was climbing up the steep slopes of Constitution Hill. The coastal path then continued across the grassy fields until finally descending again at Clarach Bay. The path takes to the pavement through Clarach Bay Holiday Park
There’s a cafe at Clarach Bay so I grabbed my usual white Americano and Bacon/Egg buttie. After another mile of pavement the route then again takes to the grassy fields. There’s several steep climbs but it’s dry and I’m not complaining. As I approached Upper Borth I heard the sound of far off jet planes. This pattern continued for the next two hours and I got the occasional glimpse of a jet inland over the Welsh Hills. I was already aware of a training area in Wales frequently used by RAF and USAF aircraft called the Mach Loop. I had always assumed the name came from the speed of the aircraft through the mountains but it now turns out that the name comes from the town of Machynlleth. As an avid plane nerd I loved hearing and watching the jets flying overhead. At Borth beach the tide was already in so I stuck to the promenade. The Wales Coast Path actually heads inland from Borth however the Ceredigion Coast Path, which I used, continues along the coast for a further two miles before heading along the banks of the River Dovey.
Just before reaching the Searivers caravan park the route turns right and begins to run adjacent to the River Dovey. After around two miles of walking along the side of a quiet B road the route once again meets up with the Wales Coastal Path. I’d managed to find a registered campsite located close to Machynlleth and only ten minutes from the coastal path. They advised me they had closed for the 2025 season but I was welcome to pitch my tent and use the facilities, free of any charge. I wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth so started to head towards Glyndwr campsite. The final section before my destination was through several large wooded areas following old logging trails. I met a local farmer who kindly offered to fill up my water bottle
I arrived at the campsite just before dark and pitched the tent as quickly as I could. There’s a nice stone building with a fitted kitchen and a kettle, which I took full advantage of. It’s a cold night so after eating a hot meal I scurried back to my tent as late as I could and climbed into my warm sleeping bag. A long but enjoyable day.
Werewolfandflump UK Coast Path 