Wales Coast Path

The Wales Coast Path has made it easier than ever to explore Wales' wonderful coastline. How better to truly appreciate the shape – and soul – of a nation? Here in Monmouthshire, you can enjoy the trail in short sections or walk the whole 14 mile (22km) length from Chepstow to Magor. It's mostly level going, other than a few steeper sections in Chepstow.

Chepstow is the official start (or finish) of the Path and the route then follows the coast along the Gwent Levels and the Severn Estuary. With one of the highest tidal ranges in the world, up to 90,000 wading birds and wildfowl visit the estuary every year because of its ideal over-wintering conditions.

As well as year-round wildlife interest, this stretch of the Wales Coast Path offers spectacular views of the Severn Bridge (opened in 1966) and the Prince of Wales second Severn crossing (opened in 1996).     

Don’t miss Black Rock, a popular picnic site next to a long-gone railway line that used to take passengers out on a wooden pier, to where ferries crossed the estuary to Bristol. It’s the place to spot the lave net fishermen who are passionate about keeping alive one of Wales’ less well-known traditions. They wade out into the fast flowing Severn to catch salmon using handmade willow lave nets.