With the summer reaching its end, we now welcome the autumn, which has truly transformed the stunning natural landscape of Pembrokeshire with a blanket of crunchy brown leaves. Despite the weather getting colder, there are still many walks around the north of the county that will get you active and in the autumnal mood. Also, with the October school half-term looming, your family can join you too! With 186 miles of Pembrokeshire Coastal path to choose from, we’ve narrowed down a few of our favourite shorter walks that won’t keep you in the cold too long, whilst giving you the best views of our landscape and wildlife.
1. Newport/Carningli
Image credit: newportpembs.co.uk
For the adventurous, we just had to include the walk up Mynydd Carningli in Newport but on the other hand, we are biased as our Newport caravan park is not too far from here! Carningli is one of the best mountain walks in North Pembrokeshire, backing the town of Newport. This walk is highly rewarding as it gives you an amazing vista from the summit that includes the beautiful town of Newport, the surrounding coastline and the estuary. The rugged terrain of Mynydd Carningli is partly due to it being made up of dolerite rock which was created by cooled magma. Did we mention that this used to be a volcano?! But don’t worry, this last erupted 450 million years ago so it is now just a mountain. This location also has ties to religion and local history, featuring the ruins of an Iron Age fort. Look out for free-roaming sheep on the way! This walk is best suited for people who are experienced in hiking up mountains/inclines and we recommend leaving around 2 hours for this 3.5-mile walk as well as sturdy hiking boots and warm clothing.
2. Cwm Gwaun
Image credit: pembrokeshirecoast.wales
If you are looking for wildlife, Cwm Gwaun is a valley walk that follows the meander of the river Gwaun in North Pembrokeshire, not far from Fishguard. Explore enchanting woodlands which are home to many unique species like tree pipits, redstarts, tits, nuthatches and pied flycatchers. The walk also consists of steep valleys and marshland. If you’re quick, you might still catch an oddity which is a sweet smell that comes from here! We’re not making this up, people have reported a honey-tinged aroma in the water meadows along the floodplain of the river around this time of year. So keep your nose peeled as well as your eyes as you might be lucky to also see otters near the river as they feed on the dormouse population that is abundant here. The streams are also a habitat for dippers and grey wagtails, as well as Raptors like buzzards and sparrowhawks. If you follow the path up Coed Sychpant, you can get a great view down over the valley and woodland which is perfect for birdwatchers to spot the species previously mentioned. We recommend leaving over 2 hours for this 5-mile walk as well as waterproofs as this is a wet, boggy area.
3. St Justinian/Porth Clais
Image credit: wikipedia.org
Another great walk for wildlife lovers is St Justinian/Porth Clais, which is iconic for its two lifeboat slipways. Located on the coastline near St David’s, this walk will allow you to see wildflowers in the spring and you might be lucky to see blackthorn and privet flying near the cliffs. The cliffs at St Justinian are a safe haven for birds as it is mostly sheltered from the winds thanks to Ramsey Island. Being in close proximity to Ramsay Island, you might see the amazing sight of Grey seals breeding on the beaches below as Ramsey Island supports the largest breeding colony in the national park. In the marshy areas around Pwll Trefeiddan look out for emperor, hairy and golden-ringed dragonflies. Birdwatchers will also be pleased to know that sparrowhawks, buzzards and kestrels breed near here as well so should be able to be spotted. This location also has ties to religion so look out for St Justinian’s Chapel & Well at Porthstinan.
4. Trefin
Image credit: pembrokeshirecoast.wales
If you are looking for a more moderate walk, Trefin gives a great variety of surfaces which also has great views of Pembrokeshire’s rocky northern coastline. Trefin is a large village, located back from the sea between Porthgain and Abercastle, which are both well worth stopping at if you have time. Many of the rocky landforms here can be attributed to eruptions from volcanoes in the area millions of years ago and the magma solidifying (similar to what can be seen at Mynydd Carningli). This walk will take you down quiet lanes, fields, marshy ground and minor road walking. From this walk, you will be able to spot views of Strumble Head, the village of Trefin and the ruins of an old mill at Aberfelin, made famous in Welsh poetry. We recommend sturdy boots and waterproofs as wet weather can make parts of this 3-hour walk marshy and boggy.
5. St Elvis, Solva
Image credit: pembrokeshirecoast.wales
Finally, if you would like a much shorter walk than the others we’ve recommended, St Elvis, Solva might be the one for you at 2.4 miles long. History buffs will also be pleased as there are interesting historical and religious ties to the area with the lime industry which was in Solva, with the last used kiln nearby. You can walk up The Gribyn, which is a steep hill at the east of the harbour entrance. This was used as a defensive outpost when it was once an Iron Age fort. This walk gives you great views of the long harbour of Solva as well as some of the picturesque town. Keep an eye out for the Black Rocks at the entrance to the harbour. You may even see some seabirds from here like gulls and fulmars. There are also great religious ties to this area with St Elvis Burial Chamber above St Teilos Church.
