Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Walking Tour:
PCP: Whitesands to Porthgain
START WHITESANDS
END PORTHGAIN
LENGTH 10 MILES; FOUR TO SIX HOURS
Covering a beautiful but remote stretch of coast from popular Whitesands Bay near St Davids to the historic port
of Porthgain, this rewarding walk takes you over rugged headlands and past dramatic cliffs, pretty coves and
flooded quarries. It's a taxing route with several steep descents and ascents but it's well worth the effort. Bring
provisions, as it's a long way between villages.
Start out at busy
Whitesands Bay
and head west onto wild and rocky St Davids Head. The start of the
route is fairly easy with a good path, wide open views and craggy volcanic outcrops to admire. The only signs of
human habitation here are ancient, with the simple
neolithic burial chamber
on the headline predating the
surrounding remnants of Celtic forts. The path soon becomes more rugged with a rock scramble down to and up
from the lovely little cove at
Aber-pwll
. Continue on past crumbling cliffs to
Abereiddi
, looking out
for seals in the coves, gannets and possibly porpoises diving for fish out at sea. The beach at Abereiddi is famous
for its black sand full of tiny fossils. Ruined quarry buildings and slate workers' cottages flank the path beyond
the beach that leads to the
Blue Lagoon
, a deep turquoise flooded slate quarry now popular with coasteerers
and, in early September, cliff divers from all over the world who compete here diving 27m into the icy water be-
low. The half-hour walk from Abereiddi to Porthgain is one of the best stretches along the entire coast path, fol-
lowing a cliff-top plateau past the often deserted beach at
Traeth Llyfn
. A long flight of steep metal stairs
leads down to the golden sand, but beware of strong undercurrents and the tide, which can cut off parts of the
beach from the steps. Continue on for the last descent into the tiny harbour of
Porthgain
, where you can re-
ward yourself with some superb seafood at
Shed
(
Click here
) or some top-notch pub grub at the welcoming
Sloop Inn
(
Click here
).
Activities
Whitesands Surf School
( 01437-720433;
www.whitesandssurfschool.co.uk
)
Runs surfing lessons; a 2½-hour beginner's ses-
sion costs £35, including equipment. You can book at Ma Sime's Surf Hut in St Davids.
SURFING
Sleeping
St Davids YHA
HOSTEL
£
