Abekin three

Verified Slow Way

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The route started from Abergele along a residential road to arrive at the coast over a bridge crossing the A55 and the railway. The promenade was busy with holiday makers as I passed various kiosks, an endless stream of caravan parks, and a funfair.
The tide was in and I couldn’t see much sand, only pebbles. It didn’t help that a lot of the time I couldn’t see over the flood protection wall! There was a section, past Towyn where there was a choice of using a few steps to walk closer to the wall, or using the lower concrete roadway alongside the caravans, where a sea view was impossible. There were also slopes of about 8⁰. The higher path had occasional gates that were around 70cm wide. There were also a few places where maintenance work was going on, but they didn’t block the route.
The route worked well enough, but I had hoped it would be nicer - I didn’t see enough of the sea (I held the phone above my head for some of my photos!) and saw too much of caravan parks etc – the satellite view of the route is quite illuminating.
Please note that Julie’s first six photos are not on the route itself, but are to do with access by car. The North Wales coast has excellent train and bus links all along it.

Pleasant and easy route between Abergele and Kinmel Bay. The path is level and runs mostly between the beach and the railway. The Kinmel Bay end is currently less scenic due to coastal flood defence works, but obviously that’s a temporary hitch. There are NO TOILETS along the route, so be prepared to go before setting off in Abergele or waiting until Kinmel Bay (there’s an Asda with loos). I parked in Pentre Mawr Park, there are about half a dozen free parking spaces and it’s very easy to walk to the railway station and prom from there, particularly as it’s clearly signposted. Parking at Abergele prom is free but has a height restriction . There are toilets at the car park but a fee is payable. I treated myself to a toasted teacake and cuppa at the pleasant cafe on Abergele prom when I’d completed the walk both ways. The walk is safe and accessible and I’d have no hesitation in walking it again.

A decent route connecting Abergele and Kinmel Bay using good a coastal path.

From the centre of Abergele (shops, bus stops), we head gradually uphill along a residential road which eventually crosses the railway, and we join the path alongside the coast, which is a good concrete/tarmac path. From Abergele station, the path runs between sea wall and railway, and runs for some distance.

Eventually, we come to a ramp where we descend to a service road running alongside the seawall (you can still walk along it, but access is stepped). We follow this pretty much until the end, passing multiple caravan parks and crossings over the railway. At time of survey, there were improvement works to the sea defences in progress, but they did not hamper the route.

As we begin to enter the dunes, we come to the end at a small café, before turning inland past a supermarket, ending at the main road in Kinmel Bay with the odd shop, bus stops and library.

A short and accessible seaside route.

A fully accessible seaside route, on well surfaced paths and pavements along predominantly quieter roads. There are no steps to navigate, and as such is suitable for wheelchair users.

A large portion of Abekin Three follows the Wales Coastal Path, North Wales Path and National Cycle Route No.5, and cycling is actively encouraged throughout.

If using public transport, regular busses link the start and end points, or if like me and using trains, it is possible to walk from Rhyl to Abergele, crossing off two SlowWays in the process.

Walked from Abergele to Kinmel Bay. A good route, entirely on good surfaces with no steps or stiles. It used the coast path as much as possible. Mostly pleasant, though there are a lot of caravans and we pass close to a small funfair.

The route is very easy to follow. From Abergele, we follow Sea Road (with an optional slight detour through a park) out to the sea, then follow promenades, surfaced cycle tracks and minor roads along the coast. The route into Kinmel Bay leaves the coast path at a refreshment hut and passes a large Asda car park.

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