A perfect day to cycle the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path
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The Chimptrips route along the Pembrokeshire Coastal PathPhoto: Chimptrips -
Photo: Chimptrips
The Coastal Path is a national trail, running along the Pembrokeshire coastline and is just one stretch of the Wales Coast Path which follows the whole 870 miles of the Welsh coastline. It’s a fantastic place for hiking. But, even better for us, there is one section of the path that is accessible by bike.
We started our perfect day out at the National Trust Car Park in Broadhaven South. From here, we headed West towards Castlemartin Firing Range East. It’s worth remembering that this is an active firing range, run by the MOD, and not always accessible to the public. However, it is open at weekends and in school holidays, so we were in luck.
The first stretch is uphill, but then it flattens out onto a wide gravelly path. It has been recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and it’s easy to see why. The fields are full of wildflowers and butterflies. Oh, and the occasional abandoned artillery tanks – much to the delight of the Chimptrips boys.
Photo: Chimptrips
Grade I listed 13th Century limestone chapel on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.
Having returned up the steps (and caught our breath back), we continued our bike ride along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. The paths are wide, and the views are spectacular. The cycling is easy, as it’s mostly flat and we were able to spend our energy on admiring the views.
The path runs parallel to the coastline and it’s difficult to resist the temptation to keep stopping for a look out over the rugged cliffs. There is a series of secluded bays and isolated caves. All are inaccessible to people, unless you are one of the climbers who come here to take the challenge.
Photo: Chimptrips
Photo: Chimptrips
We did eventually stop for a picnic lunch, overlooking Huntsman’s Leap, a deep, narrow chasm leaving a sheer drop. Rumour has it that a huntsman jumped from one side to another whilst escaping from his enemy. Unfortunately, after successfully jumping, he looked back and died of shock upon seeing the risk he had taken!
One of the advantages of the remote beaches is that this undisturbed territory provides the perfect environment for Atlantic grey seals. We were delighted to see a couple of mums with their cubs basking in the sun, seemingly oblivious to the admiring onlookers many metres above.
Shortly after our sighting of seals, there was another great wildlife encounter, this time with birds. Stack Rocks (Creigiau Elegig) is a pair of rock pillars formed over millennia by coastal erosion. They are only about 500 metres out to sea and form the perfect resting ground for hundreds of sea birds, notably the guillemots and the razorbills. It’s amazing to see how many birds can fit onto such limited space.
Photo: Chimptrips
From here, the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path is inaccessible to cyclists, so we turned and returned along the same route, with a few stops at our favourite viewpoints. (seals!!)
This was a perfect day out for the Chimptrips, with history, geology, wildlife all in one bike ride. Oh, and not forgetting glorious coastal views, fresh sea air and exercise too! What better way to finish off our perfect day, than with a well-deserved rest on the fabulous golden sands of Broadhaven Beach? And of course, an ice cream from the van in the National Trust car park.
Photo: Chimptrips
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Chimptrips is a family travel blog who write about travels abroad and outdoor adventures in the UK: chimptrips.com.
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