Penarth Headland and the Glamorgan Heritage Coast
Vale of Glamorgan
Penarth's Victorian pier and Esplanade mark the start of the Wales Coast Path heading west into the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, a quietly spectacular stretch of crumbling Liassic cliffs, hidden coves and grass clifftop walking. This dog friendly walk from the pier follows the cliff path south past the Cliff Walk gardens, down to Lavernock Bay and on to the dramatic causeway out to Sully Island.
This is an easy walk on tarmac promenades, gravel paths and short grass clifftop, suitable for older dogs and kids. The Penarth seafront has a year round dog ban only on the central section of the beach in summer (1 May to 30 September), but the cliff path and Lavernock are off limits to no one. Keep dogs on leads near cliff edges and on the Sully Island causeway, which is cut off by the tide. Penarth has plenty of dog friendly cafes, and there is paid parking at the pier.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 9.0 km (5.6 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Coastal
- Route Type
- Out and Back
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Cafes, toilets and ice cream on Penarth Esplanade, dog friendly Captains Wife pub at Sully.
- Parking
- Pay and display car parks on Penarth Esplanade and at Cosmeston Lakes, around 200 spaces in total.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What’s Nearby?
Walk9.3 mi awayCaerphilly Mountain and the Ridgeway Walk
Caerphilly
An easy dog friendly ridge walk on the long open moorland of Caerphilly Mountain, with sweeping views over Cardiff and the Rhymney Valley.
Walk17.4 mi awayCrook Peak
Somerset
A short, punchy Mendip climb to a limestone crag with 360-degree views over the Somerset Levels and the Bristol Channel.
Walk18.1 mi awayGoblin Combe Circular From Cleeve
Somerset
An unexpectedly wild-feeling limestone gorge just south-west of Bristol, with narrow paths weaving between rock faces and dense woodland.
Walk19 mi awayCheddar Reservoir
Somerset
A flat reservoir circuit near Cheddar with Mendip hill views and good year-round conditions on the level path.
Walk20 mi awayStaple Plain
Somerset
An open moorland walk on the Quantock Hills with heather and bracken views, quiet and surprisingly remote.
Walk20.3 mi awayCheddar Gorge Outer Woodland Loop
Somerset
A longer route above Cheddar Gorge following quieter woodland and downland paths, delivering dramatic views while avoiding the busy gorge road.
