May is here and with it comes not one, not two but three glorious bank holidays meaning we have the luxury of having a three-day weekend. And as the weather get brighter and mornings get lighter, it makes for the perfect opportunity to embark on one of Wales' most beautiful walks on the coast. And three in our gorgeous country have been named amongst the best the in UK by outdoor adventure experts Go Outdoors.
Made up of 15 different coastal routes, four treks in Anglesey, Gower, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire have all been named by the company based on its distance, time and grade.
Georgina Eastabrook, who is Go Outdoors' senior content executive, explained the benefits of walking - especially on the coast - and said, reports North Wales Live: "Coastal walks aren’t just relaxing, they’re a nice break from the mountains and hills.
Read more: The perfect bluebell walk with deer and a castle en route and a 16th century pub at the end
"A walk in the sea air is said to make you sleep for longer and feel more relaxed, whilst offering up some stunning views that are hard to beat. We have selected 15 areas of the coastlines around the UK, and a walk alongside for you to enjoy them.”
While routes in Northumberland, Dorset and Sutherland take the top three places, Anglesey's Holyhead earns fourth with its open coastal terrain, moderate distance and approximate time of 4.20 hours.
The experts had this to say about it: "The little island of Anglesey off the North of Wales is a wealth of walks and things to do. Anglesey also has a 125 mile coastal path around the edge which can be broken down into a number of routes to try over a holiday. Our favourite is the route from Holyhead to Trearddur Bay, arguably the prettiest section of the coastal path.
"This walk will take you up Holyhead mountain and leading to the fantastic photo opportunity that is South Stack Lighthouse. With areas of the walk owned by the RSPB, it’s a great walk for bird watchers or wildlife fans."
In ninth is Three Cliffs Bay in the Gower. A relatively shorter route compared to Holyhead - this one is only one hour ten minutes (approximately) - this 3.35km walk from Penmaen to Three Cliffs Bay is one "everybody can enjoy".
Go Outdoors said of it: "The Wales Coast Path as far as we’re concerned is a treat pretty much all the way around, so picking out certain walks is difficult. For this walk it’s an easy sub-3 mile circular walk from Penmaen to Three Cliffs Bay that everybody can enjoy. The walk offers fantastic views of Three Cliffs Bay, along with church ruins and Pennard Castle along the route that contains long stretches of sandy beaches. You’ll also see a view of the Devon coast."
Ceredigion's Borth to Aberystwyth route comes in at number 12 with its 11.35km walk that'll take up a good chunk of your day - 3:50 hours. Described as having "tremendous views over Cardigan Bay" and even, on a clear day, views of Snowdonia, the route will see walkers "take in Wallog (an old mansion), the popular Clarach Bay and Constitution Hill on your way to Aberystwyth which still has plenty to offer.
"This path is not for those with vertigo as it does sometimes get quite close to the cliff edge. A well run bus route is available at the other end to bring you back to the start."
Last - but by no means least - at number 14 is the rocky and flora rich route from Stack Rocks to St Govan's in Pembrokeshire. It is deemed as being filled with opportunities for the perfect picture as, along this Pembrokeshire Coastline, the trail will take you along Castlemartin Range passing by a number of bays as you reach the 14th century St Govan's church.
"The steps down to St Govan’s are said to never be the same number going down as they are coming up," Go Outdoors said and added that, as the trail goes over a military range, when training occurs, it is closed.
If you want to inject even more nature into this 5.85km and 1:35 hour long route, you can pay the Green Bridge of Wales a visit (with a slight detour).
"The untouched nature of this area means it’s teaming with wildlife at varying times of year, so it’s worth bringing your binoculars," the outdoor experts added.
To see the full list of routes included, visit Go Outdoors.
READ NEXT:
- I asked Tenby locals if the town was just way too popular now - they all had the same reply
- The beautiful Welsh railway line built by Brunel with gorgeous sea views that you've probably never been on
- We found the best holiday cottages within an hour's drive of Cardiff perfect for a late spring break
- Which road in Wales is the worst for potholes?
- The Welsh town named best value place to rent a cottage in the UK
