6 to 7 nights
60 to 132 mls (km)
North-West Wales
Moderate
Mar to Oct
£795

Time Stands Still in this Corner of the Welsh Heartland

  • This area is home to 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
📷View over the Meirionnydd Coastal Path from Fairbourne View over the Meirionnydd Coastal Path

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 coast's 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 on 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.

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

Path Walkthrough

Your holiday begins in Porthmadog, along the causeway that cuts through marshlands towards Minffordd and Portmeirion. 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.

Our Meirionnydd Coastal Path Itineraries

  • Porthmadog to Machynlleth
    Distance: 60 miles (96.5km)
    MCP1
    6 Nights, 5 Days
    from £795 pp
    Porthmadog to Machynlleth
        6 nights, 5 days
    Ref: MCP1
    Moderate,
    Grade: Classic
    MCP2
    7 Nights, 6 Days
    from £900 pp
    Porthmadog to Machynlleth
        7 nights, 6 days
    Ref: MCP2
    Moderate,
    Grade: Classic

    These itineraries can be combined with the Ceredigion Coast Path - please contact us for further details.

    • Good standard accommodation at a mixture of guesthouses, farmhouses, local inns and B&Bs with en-suite or private facilities wherever possible
    • Breakfast
    • Luggage transfers
    • Personal transfer between accommodation and path that form a part of our standard package
    • Route planning
    • Walk pack including Trail Guide and mapping, itinerary, accommodation directions and route notes, lunch and dinner information, restaurant recommendations and holiday planning details

    You choose which day you would like your holiday to start on. We will book your holiday in accordance with your requirements.

    Our Meirionnydd Coastal Path holidays are available to walk March to October.

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

    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 trains 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.

    Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs. Call one of our helpful team on +44 (0)1291 689774 or e-mail us here.

    Meirionnydd Coastal Path Client Reviews

    4.8/5 based on 19 reviews
    Celtic Trails were helpful, responsive and everything ran smoothly, thank you all!
    - September 2023
    Celtic Trails were friendly, efficient, well-organised.
    - July 2023
    Everything was arranged carefully so we could just enjoy the walking. Better than other companies.
    - June 2023
    Celtic Trails though of everything one would need and are reliable and prompt. I would, and frequently do, recommend them.
    - May 2023
    Celtic Trails are a very friendly, helpful company.
    - May 2023
    Celtic Trails are an efficient company with good experience of the area. We thoroughly enjoyed our walk and everything was arranged very well and with no hiccups. We would like to do more of the Welsh coast in the future: we did the Pembrokeshire coast through Celtic Trails in 2021
    - April 2023
    This was out first walk without a guide - it was great to have the arrangements made by experts. I am walking the entire WCP over the next few years.
    - September 2022
    Celtic Trails are very professional and efficient. Many thanks for your organisation.
    - September 2022
    Celtic Trails were very good and to be recommended. Better than other comapnies.
    - June 2022
    As 4 friends in our 70's, the seamless organisation helped us relax away from other commitments. The walking was more varied that expected, which was good. And the weather helped, as we had wonderful views.
    - April 2022
    I would describe my experience with Celtic Trails as well organised.
    - September 2021

    - September 2020
    Celtic Trails are better than other companies we've walked with - better accommodation, professional, friendly and helpful in all aspects. Great holiday, fantastic weather, very happy.
    - September 2019
    Good information given re: the walk, easy to contact via the 'phone and e-mail. Refreshing to be away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Gradually walking the Wales Coast Path from Chester.
    - September 2019
    Celtic Trails - well organised, thorough checking of dietary requirements, great communication, accommodation to a high standard. This holiday had a deeply positive impact on body and mind. My mum was ecstatic to see this part of the country, feeling revitalised for the year ahead. As a wildlife and plant lover, my mum thoroughly enjoyed the dunes, the hills, the history and the people we met along the way. Personally, I savoured the luxury of a comfortable bed and delicious breakfast to see me right for a day of exploring. All round a great experience.
    - August 2019
    We were very happy with all aspects. We have done plenty of hiking and camping, but this was our first organised walk of this type - very organsied and good accommodations; the description in the materials accurately reflected what the trip would be like. We enjoyed the local people and interactions that we had along the way.
    - July 2019
    A big thank you to Nathan and team for a perfect holiday.
    - June 2018
    Excellent service. Special thanks to Nathan and Anne :-)
    - June 2018
    'We want to use this space say thank you to Nathan Murphy for his help, patience, support, and advice. We also enjoyed seeing a part of the world that is a secret too well kept. More people should walk the WCP!'
    - July 2017
    Leave your own review of your Meirionnydd Coastal Path Walking Holiday with us - add review.