Cardiff and the Vale

Penarth Cliff Walk

From an Edwardian pier along the clifftop path, with the Severn estuary below and the barrage and Cardiff behind.

Distance: 3.1 mi / 5 km
Time: 1 hr 40
Ascent: 70 m
Difficulty: Easy
Shape: There and back

Where it is

The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.

The route

Follow the cliff path south from the pier towards Lavernock, back the same way. Mostly surfaced with some steps.

Worth knowing

Penarth Pier is one of the last surviving Victorian pleasure piers in Wales, with a pavilion and cinema.
The cliffs are actively eroding; keep to the path.
The barrage walk north links to Cardiff Bay.

What you’ll see

The pier and pavilion, the estuary, Flat Holm and Steep Holm, and the Somerset coast.

Background

Penarth grew as a coal port and then as a resort, with the pier opening in 1895 for steamer trips down the Channel.