Cardiff to Penarth Marina and optional loop

The primary aim today was to complete a small section between 2 completed walks…. Cardiff to Newport starts from Tyndall Street, and our Penarth to Barry walk started at Penarth Marina, but there were around 2 miles unaccounted for between Tyndall Street and Penarth Marina. So with the sun shining what better weather for a nice stroll.

The first thing to say is that if you haven’t done this part of Cardiff as one of your regular walks then you will need to allow a lot of extra time for sightseeing along the way. The first part from Tyndall street is just along roads but once you get to County Hall it gets more interesting. For instance who knew that the Red Dragon centre is on the coastal path?

Andrew at the marker sign with Cleo

The walk continues pass the Millenium Centre and ahead you can just make out Penarth Church which we walked right past yesterday..

Famous sights litter the walk, from where the Welsh government meets to Dr who and the Norwegian church (now a cafe).

This is by far the busiest part of coastal path so far.

The walk continues along the bay, past a play area and with time for us to watch the boats while Cleo played fetch with Mr Stickman.

The walk then heads across the barrage, which is a fascinating place to watch boats raise and lower to get out to the open sea.

And at the roundabout is the sign which marks the starting point of yesterday’s walk and the end of today’s …..or is it??

So for the coastal path stats that is 2 miles completed today making 57 miles completed and 813 miles to go.

But… If you have the time we highly recommend continuing on the 10k Bay walk to see the rest of what Cardiff bay has to offer. We had a motive…. Sharon’s youngest was swimming in a gala at the pool and we wanted to stop by to cheer her on (plus Sharon likes walking circles)…. So along the Marina we walked, over a footbridge and past the white water rafting to the pool.

Then on we walked behind the skating rink, round the bay…

Up some steps, along the road ridge over the bay and straight on up takes us past techniquest and back to Mermaid Quay to complete the loop. Total walk today 7.1 miles in just under 2 hours. Add on the 12.8 miles of yesterday and that is a grand total for the weekend of 19.9 miles…. Almost made the 20!! Off to Bella Italia to out some calories back in now.