Winning tip: Walks, wildlife and wine in Portugal
The Fisherman’s Trail in south Portugal is magical. We started from Porto Covo and ended in Lagos, walking 140 miles in 12 days, staying overnight in rustic villages, cobblestoned towns and surfer spots. Those short of time can walk a smaller section of the trail. The walk has breathtaking views, rugged cliffs, wild beaches with crystal-clear waters, pine forests, vineyards, and meadows of wild flowers. Lots of wildlife can be spotted – lizards, storks, cormorants and countless other birds – and the wine and seafood in the restaurants along the way is a treat.
Miana
Golden dunes, north Wales
There’s nothing to beat a long, wide stretch of beautiful beach, and the four miles of sands between Aberdyfi and Tywyn on the Dyfi estuary in north Wales is one of the best. Amble along the sand or scramble up into the dunes to the sight of wheeling kites and the song of the skylark. Enjoy the views across the water to Borth, and north to Snowdonia (or Eryri). Have a browse in the cafes, shops and ice-cream parlours of Tywyn or Aberdyfi before making the return trip.
Berni G
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Cricket on the beach, Fife,
Love beaches, birdwatching, cricket and a great pub? Then try this walk along the East Neuk coast in Fife. The walk ends in Elie but the start can vary. Crail is 10 miles away, but we usually begin in Pittenweem, a four-mile stroll. Your soundtrack will be lapping waves, gulls, oystercatchers, yellowhammers and white-arrowed gannets as they plunge into the Firth of Forth. The Ship Inn at Elie is a great beach boozer: fabulous beer and food and its own cricket team. Home ground – the beach. On 8 July, join the crowd and cheer them on against the MCC.
Michael Quinn
Marshes and mudflats, Hampshire
The five-ish miles between Lymington and Milford-on-Sea offer much. The network of salt marshes, mudflats and beaches has numerous routes to discover, and an abundance of wildlife and scenery. The tidal pools form a haven for nesting and migratory birds and populations of bugs, beetles and butterflies. The Solent stretches to the Isle of Wight in the distance. Closer, Hurst Castle, a fortress built by Henry VIII, has guns, exhibitions and a cafe, and is accessible by foot or ferry. For me, the best walks start or end with a good cafe or pub – this stretch has both, and along the way, too, especially in Keyhaven.
Louise
Northumberland by moonlight
Walking along Druridge Bay, Northumberland, by moonlight is a wonderful experience. My partner and I parked at the south end of the bay at dusk, climbed over the dunes, and came to a deserted beach. We slowly sauntered along the sandy bay watching the moon glistening on the sea, listening to the waves and a gaggle of shadowy geese chorusing overhead on their way to the nearby reserve. With only the moon to guide us, we walked the width of the bay and back, unpacking the day and recharging our minds. We’ve done this walk at many different times of day but this has to be my favourite time. Pack a torch to help guide you back to your car!
Stefanie
Breathtaking peaks, Corsica
While not strictly speaking a coastal route, walking across Corsica from its north-west shoreline to its south-east coast is an amazing experience, with more than 100 miles of superb vistas including rugged mountains and sea views. I recommend starting from Calenzana and ending in the town of Conca. The GR20 trail passes through beautiful scenery, including the Cirque de la Solitude, a mountain valley surrounded by peaks. For hungry campers or those wanting a bed for the night, the refuges and bergeries offer basic accommodation and a glimpse of local culture. Kristan Lacy
Enchanted rockpools, Brittany
Low tide reveals rocky steps at the eastern end of Plage de Kervillen, our starting point. Beyond the thatched cottage with Breton-blue shutters and lichen-encrusted walls, where lizards bask then skitter away, stands a 1940s pillbox, incongruously framed by rustling bunny-tail grass. Today it is a viewpoint; a scrambled deviation from the sandy path that twists towards the Pointe de Kerbihan. Below, dozens of cairns overlook the rockpools, seemingly enchanted and purplish sloes adorn thorny bushes. Past a beach where curled shells are myriad; past the rocks where he proposed; past more idyllic sea-view homes … the coast walk ends in the sailing town of La Trinité-sur-Mer, where une bolée de cidre awaits.
Jemma Saunders
Shimmering green sea, Hebrides
A three-hour ferry ride from Oban, the Hebridean isle of Coll has more than 20 beaches. Most lie on its northern coastline, a couple of miles from the comfy hostel in Coll’s only village, Arinagour. Take your time, greet the sheep and keep an eye out for eagles and corn crakes on the way. I strolled to Cliad, a crescent of honey-coloured sand and sea so clean it shimmered green. The Atlantic air tasted like salty joy, fat seals basking nearby barked hello. I sang back to them, and stayed all afternoon.
Louisa
Walk past dunes and lagoons, the Netherlands
Head west in the Netherlands until you reach Camperduin. The statue of the beachcomber will guide you south on quiet, white, sandy beaches along the tallest dunes that stretch three miles inwards. You’ll walk past a lagoon, after which you can rest at Hargen pavilion before you walk further to Schoorl. This beach is not accessible by car and is something of a hidden summer gem. But onwards you go, past an experiment called De Kerf where the sea is allowed to swallow land at high tide until you reach Bergen aan Zee, the bigger seaside resort for the Dutch jet set. Here you’ll find plenty of beach restaurants and easy access to public transport.
Nathalie Van Meurs
Pine and dine, Cádiz, Spain
Start at the wide, fine sandy beach, La Puntilla, where the Guadalete river flows into the Bay of Cádiz in El Puerto de Santa María. The stroll along the paseo marítimo to Puerto Sherry takes about 40 minutes. You’ll pass a campsite on the right, continue to the chiringuito (beach bar) El Castillito, serving seafood staples. Then it’s up the gentle slope with the pine forest on your right and views across the bay to Cádiz. The path drops to the yacht marina where you’ll find cafes and restaurants. Follow the path and you’ll arrive above the ancient walls and the beach cove of La Muralla for a sunset and sundowner.
Patricia Walton
