The iconic Wales Coast Path, the world’s first uninterrupted route along a national coast, celebrates its fifth birthday today.
The 870-mile trail, which incorporates the well established Pembrokeshire Coast Path, has become popular with both day walkers and long-distance walkers, with over 20 people having hiked its entire length already.
Commenting on the anniversary, Emyr Roberts, Chief Executive of Natural Resources Wales, said: “The Wales Coast Path makes the most of the fantastic natural resource we look after and is a great example of how the environment can help many different parts of society.
“The first five years have given us a great start, and there is a lot more that we can do. During the next years we’ll be working hard to try and get even more people to take advantage of this wonderful natural resource.”
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National Resources Wales works in partnership with 16 coastal local authorities, two National Parks, Visit Wales and the many landowners along the route to manage, maintain and promote the path, with funding from the Welsh Government.
Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths added: “In 2012 Wales blazed a trail when it became the first country in the world to have a dedicated path running the entire length of its coastline. Since then, the Wales Coast Path has provided numerous environmental, health and economic benefits for countless walkers.”
Walkers on the Welsh coast supposedly spent £84.7 million in 2014, supporting 1,000 jobs.