Cardigan Bay Coast (A487)
A laid-back coastal cruise down the west coast of Wales — colourful harbour towns, sweeping bays, dolphins offshore and fish & chips with a sea view.
Indicative route line — tap the map to zoom and pan.
The ride
The A487 traces the curve of Cardigan Bay from the seaside university town of Aberystwyth south-west to Cardigan. It’s an easy, feel-good ride: gently flowing A-road with regular glimpses of the sea, threading through the Georgian harbour of Aberaeron (with its famous rainbow-painted houses and honey ice cream) and near the dolphin hot-spot of New Quay. Detour onto the coast lanes wherever the mood takes you.
This is a tour to savour over a full day, with plenty of stops, rather than a road to attack. It pairs beautifully with an inland return over the mountains via the Elan Valley.
Highlights
- Aberaeron’s colourful Georgian harbour and honey ice cream
- New Quay — bottlenose dolphins are regularly seen from the harbour
- Endless sandy beaches and clifftop viewpoints
- Aberystwyth’s promenade, castle and the Vale of Rheidol
Fuel & food
Plenty of options — fuel in Aberystwyth, Aberaeron and Cardigan, and countless cafes, chippies and pubs along the way. This is a route where lingering over lunch is the whole point.
Best time to ride
Glorious on a clear summer’s day, though the coast towns get busy in peak holiday season. Late spring and September offer quieter roads and warm light. Watch for slow-moving holiday traffic and pedestrians in the villages.
Turn it into a loop with the Elan Valley or extend north to Snowdonia. See all routes.