The Ceredigion Coast Path project was funded under the EU's Objective 1 programme for West Wales and the Valleys. The scheme bridged gaps between pre-existing public rights of way along Ceredigion's spectacular coastline - such as the comprehensive lengths previously accessible on the Ceredigion Heritage Coast - by creating new public access routes.

The Ceredigion Coast Path was officially opened by Jane Davidson AM, the Welsh Assembly Government's Environment, Sustainability and Housing Minister, on the 3 July 2008.

There is now a route linking Ynyslas, in the northern extreme of Ceredigion, with Cardigan at the Teifi Estuary and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path beyond, forming an important step towards realising the Welsh Assembly Government's strategy of developing a pan-Wales Coastal Path.

• Walkers should note that - although there is presently a route in use connecting Mwnt with Cardigan (see Path Sections page) - the actual Ceredigion Coast Path section is currently unavailable owing to legal proceedings.

LINKING THE JEWELS...

The Ceredigion Coast Path links together a treasury of environmental, natural and heritage assets within one of the most scenic coastal areas of Wales:

• The River Teifi Special Area of Conservation (SAC) including the Teifi Marshes National Nature Reserve and the Welsh Wildlife Centre at Cilgerran;
• The beach and headland owned by the National Trust at Mwnt, with the historic Holy Trinity church nearby, on the northern shore of the Teifi Estuary's mouth;
• The Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation and the Ceredigion Marine Heritage Coast renowned for its bottlenose dolphins, seals and porpoise;
• Award-winning beaches at the picturesque coastal settlements of Aberporth; Tresaith and Llangrannog;
• Spectacularly scenic National Trust properties at Penbryn beach, Cwmtydu and Ynys Lochtyn;
• New Quay and nearby Cei Bach - famed for their association with Dylan Thomas who lived and wrote here;
• Aberaeron - where one house in every four is listed as being of special architectural or historic significance. There is a footpath and cycleway link to the nearby National Trust property at Llanerchaeron;
• Charming coastal settlements such as Aberarth, Llanon, Llansantffraid and Llanrhystud;
• The university town of Aberystwyth - home of the National Library of Wales and largest settlement on the west coast of Wales;
• The Dyfi Estuary National Nature Reserve at Ynyslas, near Borth.

CEREDIGION COAST PATH - GUIDEBOOK PUBLISHED

The new, bilingual, full colour, 240 page official guide to the Ceredigion Coast Path has now been published and is available by mail order from Ceredigion's Tourism Service.

Full details of Ceredigion's mail order service - together with PDFs of the publications guide and order form - can be accessed from the walking section of the main Ceredigion tourism website.