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Around St David's Head

Recommended by

Our view

"An easy stroll around the dramatic cliffs of one of mainland Britain's most westerly points"

Walk directions

From Whitesands Beach head back up the road, pass the caravan site and immediately turn left along a road. Bear right where it splits and continue around a left-hand bend to walk up to the buildings. Keep left to walk between the buildings, then carry on to a gate.

Turn right shortly afterwards on to the open heathland and follow the footpath along the wall beneath Carn Llidi. Pass the track that drops to the youth hostel on the right and continue, keeping right wherever the track forks. Go over a crest and downhill to a corner of a wall where a clear track runs diagonally left towards the coast.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Coast path, clear paths across heathland

Landscape - Dramatic cliffs, heather- and gorse-covered hillsides

Dog friendliness - Care needed on cliff tops and near livestock

Parking - Whitesands Beach

Toilets en route - At start of walk

Walks in Pembrokeshire Dog-friendly walks in Pembrokeshire

About the walk

It would be difficult to imagine a more atmospheric place than St Davids Head. For full effect, visit at sunset and watch the sky turn red over the scattered islets of the Bishops and Clerks. Carn Llidi, a towering monolith of ancient rock that has all the attributes of a full-blown mountain, yet... stands only 594ft (181m) above sea level, dominates the headland. Its heather- and gorse-covered flanks are alive with small heathland birds, which chatter from the swaying ferns and dart for cover in the hidden crannies of dry-stone walls. The coast, when you meet it, is at its intricate finest; a succession of deep and narrow inlets (known as zawns), broken up by stubborn headlands that thrust defiantly into the ever-present swells. The Head itself is magnificent and a few minutes spent exploring will quickly uncover a series of rocky terraces that offer shelter from the wind and stunning views over the ocean to Ramsey Island. Despite its hostile demeanour, St Davids Head was once home to a thriving Iron Age community who lived in huts and kept their stock in a field system, the remains of which are still visible. The headland, naturally guarded by the ocean on three sides, was also defended by the Clawydd-y-Milwry (the Warrior’s Dyke) at its eastern edge. The dyke is actually formed by three ditches and two ramparts that cut across the neck of the headland. The main bastion, a dry-stone wall that would have once stood around 15ft (4.6m) tall, is still easily visible as a linear pile of stones and rocks. Within the fort there are a number of standing stones, stone circles and the remains of basic huts. The defences are thought to have been built around ad 100. At least 3,000 years older, and well worth seeking out, is Coetan Arthur, a neolithic quoit, or burial chamber, which stands directly above a narrow inlet, bounded on its eastern walls by the red-coloured crags of Craig Coetan, a popular climbing venue. Coetan Arthur consists of a 12ft (3.7m) capstone, propped up on a smaller rock. The quoit would have originally been covered with earth to form a mound, but this has long since been eroded away. There is evidence of several more burial chambers near the summit of Carn Llidi. Both the headland and Carn Llidi are in the care of the National Trust, and you are free to wander at will to investigate these fascinating sites, although you should bear in mind that they are Scheduled Ancient Monuments and protected by law.

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About the area

Wales meets the Atlantic Ocean in spectacular fashion at Pembrokeshire. Unlike the West Country, Pembrokeshire can offer the coast without the crowds, and quaint fishing villages without those huge coach parks.

Route details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Gentle

Distance:

3.5 miles (5.7kms)

Ascent:

425ft (130m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

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Around St David's Head

Recommended by

Our view

"An easy stroll around the dramatic cliffs of one of mainland Britain's most westerly points"

Walk details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Gentle

Distance:

3.5 miles (5.7kms)

Ascent:

425ft (130m)

Walk directions

1 of 6

2 of 6

Follow this to the coast path, where there’s a small fingerpost, and turn left to walk along the cliff tops. At Porth Llong, the path bears right to climb to a cairn. The headland is a labyrinth of paths and tracks, but for maximum enjoyment try to stick as close to the cliff tops as possible as you round a number of narrow zawns. The official coast path doesn’t go as far as the tip of the peninsula, but plenty of other tracks do, so follow one as far as you wish.

3 of 6

From the tip, turn left and make your way through the rocky outcrops on the southern side of the headland. As you approach Porthmelgan, you’ll pick up an obvious path near the cliff tops which you should work your way down to using one of the many small paths.

4 of 6

This leads to a small footbridge over a stream, which you cross to climb up the steps on the other side. Continue to a kissing gate where the National Trust land ends and maintain your direction. Pass above Porth Lleuog and the distinctive rocky promontory of Trwynhwrddyn, which is worth a visit in its own right.

5 of 6

The path then drops steeply down to the road at the entrance to Whitesands Beach.

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Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Coast path, clear paths across heathland

Landscape - Dramatic cliffs, heather- and gorse-covered hillsides

Dog friendliness - Care needed on cliff tops and near livestock

Parking - Whitesands Beach

Toilets en route - At start of walk

Walks in Pembrokeshire Dog-friendly walks in Pembrokeshire

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

Pembrokeshire

Around St David's Head

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Walking in Safety

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Around St David's Head

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