Pembrokeshire Coast Walking

Arrive at the lodge located near Mathry village and only one mile from Abermawr Bay; ideally located for hiking the magnificent Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Check in is available from 5pm but if you wanted to arrive earlier you can always leave your luggage in the car or reception while you go off exploring. There is a car park for guests. If arriving by train, Fishguard and Goodwick station is just 15 minutes away by taxi.

The Tour Leader plans to meet you in reception at 6.30pm for the introductory briefing, followed by the opportunity to meet your fellow guests over dinner.

After breakfast, we set off walking directly from the lodge. The first mile is through bluebell woods and meadows, then a wildlife-rich marshy area to the shingle beach at Abermawr Bay. At low tide well-preserved tree stumps are exposed - the remains of a forest drowned 8000 years ago as the ice sheets retreated. We join the Pembrokeshire Coast Path proper and head north, keeping our eyes peeled for birdlife along the way such as razorbills, guillemots, gannets, chough, kittiwakes and cormorants. From the 400 foot cliffs at Pwll Deri there are superb views of the coast all the way down to St. David's and the chance to spot Atlantic grey seals. Seal pups are best seen in the late summer and autumn when they are on shore fattening up for the winter ahead. We reach the end of the peninsula at Strumble Head, whose lighthouse is on its own island. Next we reach Carreg Wasted Point where there is a memorial stone commemorating a Napoleonic-era invasion of Britain in 1797. We end our walk by the church in Llanwnda and our transport takes us back to the lodge.

Today's moderate-graded walk will take approximately 5 hours and will cover a distance of 17 kilometres with a total ascent and descent of 660 metres.

This morning we drive to the tiny fishing port of Porthgain (Chisel Port) that used to export slate from the nearby quarry until the 1930s. There's also the remains of an impressive industrial dolerite stone crushing plant, making stone for road-building around 1870-1895. We start our walk here, re-joining the Coastal Path and walking east and north back towards our lodge. A short detour brings us to Carreg Samson - thought to be a 5,000-year-old Neolithic burial chamber with a massive capstone atop upright stones. We reach a long, narrow picturesque inlet at the traditional fishing harbour of Abercastle, where the natural shelter makes it ideal for kayakers and boats. The trail leads on past more pristine coves, through heather and wild flowers. Hundreds of small islands and rocky crags lie off shore here and provide a perfect haven for seals and seabirds, especially in spring and autumn. After a steep descent and ascent to pass Pwllstrodur cove we reach Castell Coch, once the site of an Iron Age fort. Finally, we reach the familiar sight of Abermawr Bay and the final short section inland back to our accommodation. Isambard Kingdom Brunel once planned a harbour and railway terminus for transport to Ireland at Abermawr Bay that thankfully didn't go ahead, and Fishguard was chosen instead.

Today's moderate-graded walk will take approximately 4 hours and will cover a distance of 14 kilometres with a total ascent and descent of 640 metres.

The morning is free for optional activities or to relax. We recommend a half-day sea kayaking excursion for a different perspective of this pristine and stunning coastline. Expert guides and all equipment is provided with a wetsuit and choice of either sit-on-top kayak or closed cockpit kayaks with spray decks. No experience is needed and the only requirement is that you can pull on a wetsuit! This is a great way to explore the rugged sea cliffs, secluded coves, sea caves, stacks and natural rock arches, as well as a plethora of coastal wildlife. Other optional activities that are possible include coasteering and surfing. All activities depend on weather conditions and a minimum number of participants (around six people). Hot lunch is served at the lodge today and this afternoon we plan a walk from the lodge inland to Tregwynt woollen mill returning along the same route. There has been a mill on this site since the 17th century and today this is the last working woollen mill in Wales, complete with cafe and shop.

Please note that we need a high tide for kayaking so the walk may be changed to the morning if necessary.

Today's easy-graded walk will take approximately 2 hours and will cover a distance of 6 kilometres mostly on the flat.

After breakfast, we drive to Abereiddy Bay whose dark sand beach was formed by weathered grey slate. There is a former slate quarry here, now named the Blue Lagoon, that was breached by the sea and its distinctive green colour comes from the minerals in the quarry. Following the Coast Path south we ascend onto the headland and the route undulates through sheep farming land alongside ragged clifftops. We walk past the ancient volcanoes, with their craggy outcrops, of Carn Penberi and Carn Llidi which proudly define St. David's Headland. We make our way around St. David's Head to the westernmost point of the north Pembrokeshire peninsular, where porpoise can sometimes be seen playing in the tide, then down to the beautiful wide expanse of golden sands at Whitesands Bay. From here we walk inland for a mile to St. Davids - Britain's smallest city. The magnificent 12th century cathedral is the birthplace and burial site of the nation's patron saint and has been a pilgrimage site for 1500 years. Finally we walk to the lifeboat station at St Justinian with fantastic views over the tidal rapids of Ramsey sound and over to Ramsey island. Time and conditions permitting there is the option of a one-hour boat trip to explore the natural beauty and wildlife of this area.

Today's moderate-graded walk will take approximately 4-5 hours and will cover a distance of 16 kilometres with a total ascent and descent of 710 metres.

The trip ends after breakfast at our lodge in Mathry.