Pembrokeshire Coast & Inland Trails

Itinerary

This is our typical itinerary for this tour; however, itineraries can change due to unforeseen circumstances. There are many factors that can affect how a tour actually runs. We confirm pickup times by phone, email or SMS the day before a tour departs.

This trip begins in Newport near Fishguard (not Newport near Cardiff), where we will arrange your pickup to drive to the location where we begin our activity.

• Day One

  Fishguard to Newport 12 miles (19.3 Km)
  The cliffs on this section are lower, mostly at around 40m. Although Pen Dinas rises to 142m, the level valley path (also National Trail) avoids this. Hills up to the little beaches are steep but well spread out.

• Day Two

  Newport to Preseli Hills (Inland Walk) (37km-23-miles)
  The Preseli Hills are the only upland area in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, these hills rise to a height of 536m at Foel Cwmcerwyn. They encompass a fascinating prehistoric landscape, scattered with hill forts, standing stones and burial chambers, and are famous as the source of the mysterious bluestones of Stonehenge. The ancient Golden Road track, once part of a 5000-year-old trade route between Wessex and Ireland, runs along the crest of the hills, passing prehistoric cairns and the stone circle of Bedd Arthur.
  Starting at sea level always makes a ride seem that little bit tougher, and from the narrow streets of the small coastal town of Newport, Pembrokeshire, the roller-coaster ridge of the Preseli Hills looks positively daunting. It would be so easy to opt for a day on the beach.
  Once up, though, the Preselis really do cut the mustard; not just because of the riding — although this is pretty darn good in places — but because of the spectacular position they occupy, high above the West Wales coastline, commanding huge views in all directions.
  The route starts, rather inevitably, with a big climb. It’s not all pain and suffering though. The first descent of the day, a rocky ramble that skips around the edge of Carn Ingli and plummets down into Cwm Gwaun, is one of the finest in the area; splitting the toil up neatly. There are few breathers after this until you complete the traverse of the steep flanks of Foel Eyri and join the main track that crosses the Preseli Ridge.
  This isn’t too promising to start with, particularly the first shallow saddle, which is boggy and trackless and will quickly have you wondering what on earth you’ve let yourself in for. Stay with it, a short climb soon exposes a clear track that then rolls along the tops offering challenging ruts, steep descents and punishing climbs. It runs for a whopping 10 kilometres in total but you’ll still be wanting more.
  The final drop doesn’t quite live up to expectation, especially the boggy, gorse bush jungle that connects the open hillside with the much more satisfying final descent track. Don’t worry, it’s plain sailing after this and there’s plenty of opportunity to really spin on the long road leg back into Newport.

• Day Three

  Preseli Hills to Gwaun Valley ( Hill Walk)
  Megalithic monuments are plentiful along this sparse hill side and the surrounding area which date back to the Neolithic times. You can find Bronze Age Burial Cairns scattered across the spine of the hills and these date back to 350 BC. At 1200ft/363m and to the eastern side near to Crymych, you will find Foel Dregarn which is one of the most dramatic Iron Age Hill forts in Wales. Three impressive Bronze Age Burial Cairns sit on the summit, surrounded by cliffs and crags. Other cairns along the ridge are Foel Eryr (Eagles Hill), 1535ft/468m, Foel Cwmcerwyn, the highest point on the hills at 1760ft/536m and Foel Feddau 1532ft/467m.
  Whilst walking in this area, you can sense there is ancient Welsh & Celtic history in these hills. The Mabinogion (Welsh prose stories dating back to the 12th–13th century) story of Cuhwch and Olwen tells of a wild Irish boar called Twrch Trwyth. Culwch’s cousin, King Arthur, helped him on his quest to Ireland which ended in the killing of one of Twrch Trwyth’s youngest boars. Twrch Trwyth chased King Arthur and his Knights crossing from Ireland to Foel Cwmcerwyn to gain revenge. A battle took place and many of the Knights were slain by the wild boar and their bodies turned instantly into stone. This site is known as Cerrig Marchohion (the Knights Stones) and it is also believed that King Arthur’s grave, Beddarthur is situated on these hills.

• Day Four

  Gwaun Valley to Fishguard (Valley walk)
  The Gwaun Valley is often referred to as a hidden gem tucked away in the northern section of the Pembrokeshire National Park and is described by The Rough Guide as ‘…one of the great surprises of Pembrokeshire.’ If you are seeking tranquillity and an area to absorb nature & beauty, then the Gwaun Valley is the place to explore. Take a step back in time with its rural untouched way of life, abundant with history, legends and old traditions that make this a very special place.
  The Gwaun Valley and its inhabitants celebrate New Year’s Day or Hen Galan, on the 13th January which was part of the old Julian calendar, abolished in 1752. The Julian calendar was replaced by the Georgian calendar some 200 years prior but the local people decided to continue with tradition and this has never been broken. Children still miss school on this day and will go door to door in the valley paying tribute by singing old songs. By way of gratitude for the entertainment, the children would be given ‘Calennig’, which is either sweets or money.

• Day Five

  Fishguard to Pen Caer (Coast Path) 9 miles (14.5 Km)
  Mostly 30 to 70m high cliffs of volcanic origin. Gently rounded cliffs where the rock is strong and hard, sheer where there are weak strata. Infrequent steep hills. Typical of this section are the frequent rocky outcrops and loose volcanic stone. Heather and gorse abound, a dramatic blaze of colour in August.
  Along this section you’ll find coastal grazing schemes: horses between Strumble and Porthsychan; cattle between Goodwick and Carregwasted; and sheep in the middle!

• Day Six

  Pen Caer to Trefin (Coast path)
  This is a day to enjoy the remarkabke coastline, walking the coastal path, listening to stories and historical accounts from your guide. Enjoy the beauty of the rugged coastline beaten into shape by the power of the Atlantic Ocean.

• Day Seven

  Trefin to Whitesands Coast Path) 11.4 mi
  This is a day to enjoy the remarkabke coastline, walking the coastal path, listening to stories and historical accounts from your guide. Enjoy the beauty of the rugged coastline beaten into shape by the power of the Atlantic Ocean.

• Day Eight

  Whitesand to Caerfai (Coast path) 26.7 km
  This is a day to enjoy the remarkabke coastline, walking the coastal path, listening to stories and historical accounts from your guide. Enjoy the beauty of the rugged coastline beaten into shape by the power of the Atlantic Ocean.

• Day Nine

  Optional Whale and Dolphin Boat Tour (£62) before you depart from Hatherforwest                                                                                                                                                                                 

Preparing For Your Trip

How you prepare for your adventure is important. Being well prepared will enhance the quality of your experience. Because we are travelling in wilderness, it is very important for you and for the rest of your adventure group that you are fit enough to handle the level of difficulty and demand with no problems. Our guides know how to minimize the impact of these demands as much as possible, but they cannot remove them. The depth of your experience can only increase if you have made sure that you have prepared well.

Your preparation will be different for different activities. Preparing for a kayak trip is different from preparing for a hiking trip. We have provided some basic information that can be downloaded through the following links to pdf documents.

Use the links below to download some of the preparation files for this hiking or kayaking tour. When you book your tour, we will send you a complete preparation packet to help you get ready.Please take this seriously. Most people are unaware of the demands of a coastal environment, particularly with keeping dry and warm. Your preparation will really help make your coastal hiking or kayaking tour a great experience.

Packing List For UK Walking Trips
Important Details-Preparing Yourself For Walking
Hints and Tips For Hosteling

Need Gear?

We have gear available to rent if you don't want to buy a particular piece of equipment, or need to travel without it. 

Look over the following list to help you decide whether you want to rent. If you decide to rent gear, you can tell us on the phone or book it online with your tour.