13: Aberaeron to Cei Bach: 5 miles one way using 2 cars

28 Mins from our holiday cottages
18 Miles from our holiday cottages
Dog Friendly

Aberaeron, Cerdigion, Ceredigion
SA46 0BE (Sat Nav)

Visit Website

“ Two cars make this an enjoyable walk, if needed we can give you a lift to help out. ”

Stallion Valley Holiday Cottages Advice

Ordinance survey explorer map 198  

Walking the Ceredigion Coastal path, West Wales. : Aberaeron to Cei Bach

Holiday cottage owners Mick & Julie's New Year's resolution was to walk the 60 mile long Ceredigion Coastal Path in sections during 2013. The idea is to be able to advise holiday cottage guests how best to enjoy coastal walking holidays from Stallion Valley holiday cottages and to make regular entries on The Stallion Valley holiday cottage blog.

On Wednesday 6th April 2013 we tackled the 5 mile section from Aberaeron to Cei bach beach. This was probably the most scenic part of the path we have walked so far. 

We took 2 cars as this walk is not far from Stallion Valley holiday cottages and for this section of the path, a less than 6 mile circular walk was not easy to plan.  We parked one car in the Llanina woods car park near Cei Bach beach and then drove on to South Beach Aberaeron to start our walk.
From the Aberaeron south beach car park the coastal path signs to the south were clear and the path climbed steadily past the Ceredigion County Council headquarters site. The steady climb gradually provided increasingly panoramic views as we looked back the Aberaeron.
After about a mile and a half the path descended into a little valley with a shallow stream to cross, our dogs enjoyed enjoyed a welcome drink. The stream disappeared over the cliff and we assumed down into the sea.  As we carried on along the path we were able to see that the stream fell down into a rock pool and then cascaded down the cliff face.  You do not see views like that everyday!
We walked on and short way further on came to Gilfach yr Halen (Salt Cove). Here the footpath goes inland across a field to an access road to a small holiday village.  Here we were able to cross the bridge and follow the signs back to the coastal path. As the footpath climbed wonderful costal views once again open up.
About a mile further along the footpath again descended down to a tumbling stream with waterfalls and wooden bridge across it.  The stream launched itself over the cliff and cascaded down onto to an inaccessible beach.  The waterfall was best viewed from the cliff top just off the footpath before crossing the stream.
Having crossed the bridge the footpath gradually climbed until we reached  Craig Ddu (Black Crag), 50 metre high cliffs above Cei bach beach.  The grassy bank above the footpath was a good place to sit and admire the view of Cei Bach Beach, Llanina Point and New Quay beyond.
We walked on down the footpath through woods of twisted trees past a caravan site and through a farmyard to the road.  Here we turned right and walked along the road back to our second car in Llanina Woods car park.
We loaded our dogs back into the car having enjoyed a wonderful dog friendly walk. We were pleased that we had decided not to walk both ways that would have been too far. This was one of the most scenic half day walks we have experienced.  We will definitely be recommending it to our holiday cottage guests

Share this article