Cardiff Bay Trail – Photo supplied by Francis Newton
| Start/Finish | Category | Distance | Estimated Walking Time |
| Cardiff Bay Station / Penarth Pier | Tourism | 5.4 km | 1 hr 10 min* |
Summary
Explores the Cardiff Bay Trail before finishing at the historic Penarth Pier Pavilion.
Public transport
Train to Cardiff Bay Station. Ends not far from Penarth Station.
Directions
The Cardiff Bay Trail walk starts outside Cardiff Bay train station. Cross at the intersection and head south along the path that runs parallel to Lloyd George Ave and past the Odeon Cardiff. Walk across Bute Pl past the Wales Millennium Centre to Roald Dahl Plass, a public space named after Cardiff born author Roald Dahl.
From Roald Dahl Plass turn left and head eastwards at the water following the Cardiff Bay Trail. This will take you past the Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament), which opened in 2006 and faces southwest over Cardiff Bay. The building has a glass facade around its entire structure and is dominated by a steel roof and wood ceiling.
From the Parliament building continue along the trail which follows the shore of the bay southwards. You will pass the Cardiff Sailing Centre and the Scott of the Antarctic exhibition before reaching Barrage Locks.
From here the Cardiff Bay Trail ends. Continue up Paget Rd near the Penarth Marina. From Paget Rd, turn down Paget Place and cross Paget Tce. Continue south along Maughan Tce, Stanwell Crescent and then Albert Rd.
At the end of Albert Rd is a roundabout. Turn left at the roundabout and walk in a southeasterly direction down Windsor Tce and then Beach Rd. Beach Rd hugs Alexandra Park, which you might want to visit if you have the time. The park is a well-preserved Edwardian public park overlooking the Bristol Channel established in 1901. In 1924 a Cenotaph was erected in memory of those who died in WW1.
Continue along Beach Rd and you will get to the art deco inspired Penarth Pier Pavilion where the walk ends. To get home you can catch a train from Penarth Station, which is close to the western end of Alexandra Park.
Cardiff Bay Trail walk – GPX file
To access to the GPX file for this walk click on the download button below.
Information on GPX files and how to import them into Google maps on your phone can be found here.
Cardiff Bay Trail walk – Map
Start – Cardiff Bay Station
- Wales Millennium Centre
- Roald Dahl Plass
- The Senedd (Welsh Parliament)
- Penarth Marina
- Alexandra Park
End – Penarth Pier
