Chester, Wales Coast Path

I once asked a Welshman how he would describe the Wales Coast Path. He said, "… it's got a dramatic coastline, with jagged cliffs, choppy seas, stacks, caves and large sandy beaches mixed in with rolling hills, dense woodland, isolated farmhouses and ancient churches". Never mind the myriad of medieval castles and quite a few listed as UNESCO sites.

As you might imagine, my interest was piqued, and I wanted to explore, see it with my own eyes, walk the coastline, and enjoy the landscape's wildness while embracing its tranquility. 

Wasting no time, I arrived in the historic city of Chester, where the River Dee gracefully meanders through the landscape to find its way to the Irish Sea. Located in England, close to the English-Welsh border, Chester was founded in the first century as a Roman fort named Deva Victrix. Its Roman heritage is still evident in the grid pattern layout and the fabulous and well-preserved city walls, a 2mi (3.2km) circuit around the city centre. Strolling the walkway gave me a lovely elevated view of the city, along with exploring the tower ruins and gates. 

A distinctive feature in Chester is the Rows, a medieval-era two-tiered shopping and dining gallery. The architecture is Tudor and Jacobean, easily recognised by the black and white half-timbered facades and ornate carvings. With its long history, Chester has evolved through many architectural periods, from the Gothic grandeur of Chester Cathedral, Georgian townhouses, and Victorian influences to the contemporary buildings dotted amongst them. 

A historic landmark near the city centre is Chester Castle, the 11th-century stronghold ordered by William the Conqueror shortly after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066AD. Over time, it saw modifications and expansions, including the construction of a stone keep by King Henry II. The castle played a role in the English Civil War and later evolved into a courthouse and administrative centre. 

Since the castle was not accessible to the public, I made my way to the start of my Wales Coast Path journey. I crossed the border into Wales and found myself alongside River Dee, where a marker consisting of two stone pillars launched me into a long-distance journey of 810mi (1303.5km) from Chester to Chepstow. The route is linked by several independent trails running on or close to the coastline. Only very few of them head inland. As a matter of fact, this entire route is the only one in the world that has a continuous waymarked path around its entire coastline.

As I begin to tackle this dramatic coastline, I will remember the Welshman's words and look forward to its many wonders. 

While waiting for the rest of the Continental Divide team to finish their miles, four of us have embarked on this journey.