Beach Treasures and Treasure Beaches

This amazing opportunity suits me perfectly! Two of our all-time favorite family activities (walking and beaches) have been combined into one magical seaside journey. The Wales Coastal Path, featuring 870 miles of seaside walking trails, opens in its entirety on May 5, 2012.

According to the Countryside Council of Wales, “The path will provide a continuous walking route around the whole of Wales – from the outskirts of Chester in the north to Chepstow in the south. It will be as near to the coast as legally and physically practicable, whilst fully taking into account the needs of health and safety, land management and conservation.”

View over Poppit Sands, Pembrokeshire Coastal Path (Photo by ceridwen/Wikipedia)

Five years from the planning stage to its completion, much of the trail is already open. Don’t want to walk 870 miles? Don’t worry! There are plenty of opportunities to travel smaller portions of the Wales Coastal Path.

One segment of the celebrated Wales Coastal Path, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Trail, was established in 1970. This 186 mile trail in southwest Wales rests within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Passing along 14 harbors and 58 beaches, this existing path offers ever-changing views.

View from the Pembrokeshire Coast Path at Sandy Haven (Photo by Alvear24/Wikipedia)

You might want to book your own self-guided walking trip with one of the UK’s popular “walking holiday” tour specialists.  These professional travel agents book your B&Bs along the route, handle baggage transfers, and supply detailed information and maps. Professionally guided walking vacations are another option. I assume these companies also assist with packing tips and a list of coastal walking travel necessities.

These two articles are well worth your time, if you are interested in reading more on the Wales Coastal Path:

Magical memories of our beautiful coast… and now we can walk round all of it

Walk this way: Wonderful Wales and why its Coastal Path is set to be best in the world

Does it get any better than this?  Let me know!