Kenfig Burrows to Porthcawl (Wales Coast Path) walk

8.5 miles for the main walk. 6 miles for a circular walk. 13 miles for the circular walk plus out and back to Porthcawl. Add 1.5 miles for Margham Moor

This interesting rather than spectacular walk crosses Kenfig Burrows (sand dunes) Nature Reserve to get to the coast via a very ruined castle. It then follows the remote and very quiet sandy shoreline of Kenfig Burrows (with Port Talbot steel works on the skyline) via the WCP to Porthcawl, a former beach resort

There is an option to explore Margan Moors (surprisingly pretty edgelands around the steel plant), by following the WCP north a little way towards the steel plant.

You might pass the odd naturist along the coast, but you will definately pass the odd dog walker.

Instead of walking to Porthcawl along an easy but plain part of the WCP, there is a much shorter circular walk which returns to your car via the Burrows, visitor centre and Kenfig Pool.

For the linear walk, there is a good Pyle (station) - Kenfig - Porthcawl bus route to return to your car.

The linear option is best for WCP walkers. The Circular Walk plus Margham Moors option is best for a nice varied walk.

You can combine the both the main and circular walk, for a full day's walk. There is also a link from Pyle station to the start for public transport users.

Margham Moors : Adds up to 1.5 miles

An out and back route following the WCP for 1km or so through Margham Moor and past old railway sidings.

There is a public footpath with beach acces at the end of this path, about 1km north, right next to the steel plant. The direct 'along the beach' route to it from Kenfig Burrows is private. Some walkers have attempted it, but been stopped. You can reach it by following the WCP towards Margham Moor, then veering off on to the left, at the end of the path, by turning left, instead of following the WCP right towards the M4.

You could continue on the WCP to M4 Junction 38, and follow the dual carriage to Porth Talbot, then walk through it, but this is strictly for completists only. At the far end of the steel plant, Port Talbot beach (Aberavon Sands) is surprisingly nice.

Circular Walk : 6 miles

Park by the pub, or the main nature reserve car park. A circular walk is shown on the map back through the dunes to the nature reserve car park via the lake. Take a sat nav or compass - its easy to get lost in the dunes!.

Circular Walk + out and back to Porthcawl: 13 miles

Kenfig to the coast, out and back Porthcawl, then back via the inland route.

Linear Walk : Pyle Station to Porthcawl

For public transport users, although you cross over the M4, its not a bad walk. You can then join the main walk to Porthcawl, and take a regular bus to Brigend for the train home. Or do return through the Moors for a circular walk.

2 pubs near the start in Mawdlam, The Prince of Wales Inn (CF33 4PR), and the Angel Inn (CF33 4PG) by the church (and M4). Both have outside seating, and great online reviews. The Angel is the more expensive of the two.

Malc's Cafe at the start of Porthcawl, past the golf club building. Many places in Porthcawl's shopping area.

Trains run from Swansea - Pyle - Brigend - Cardiff

The # bus (hourly, every 2 hours on Sun) runs Bridgend - Pyle (station) - Mawdlam (the 2 pubs) - Kenfig (main nature reserve car park) - Porthcawl

Drivers can park in the main car park, or by 1 of the 2 pubs in Mawdlam

Porthcawl

A large town that, like Barry Island, has seen better days. It has 2 sandy bays, dominated by a large caravan park. Regular buses to Brigend (train station). Hourly buses back to Kenfig (and Pyle station.)

Beyond (SE of) Porthcawl is a large sandy beach, backed by dunes, that goes all the way to Ogmore-by-Sea

NW of town, the coast path passes a golf course. The coast is part sand, part rocky.

Kenfig Burrows

A sand dunes nature reserves. Formerly settled, it was buried by sand in the 14^thC. Contains a lake

The ruins of the Norman Kenfig Castle are near the start of the walk. Little remains.

Kenfig NNR - Facebook Page

Margham Moors

Private, similar to Kenfig Burrows, but there is public footpath access off the WCP.

Steel Plant

Private, no access along the coast in front of it.

Aberavon Sands (Port Talbot beach)

Wide beach with a promenande. On the far side of the steel plant. Not on this walk

After the walk, please leave a comment, it really helps. Thanks!

You can also upload photos to the SWC Group on Flickr (upload your photos) and videos to Youtube. This walk's tags are:

National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Apr-20 Andrew