Newgale to Solva
A leisurely walk (coast) in national park Pembrokeshire Coast starting and finishing in Pembrokeshire (Sir Benfro), Wales, about 6.00km (3.73 mi) long with an estimated walking time of about 1:45h. It is unsuitable for families with children, prams & pushchairs, wheelchairs.
Elevation Profile
Ascent
90m (295ft)
Descent
83m (272ft)
Max. Elevation
90m (295ft)
Altitude Gain & Loss
173m (567ft)
Start
Newgale
End
Solva
Distance
6.00km
(3.73mi)
(3.73mi)
Duration
~1:45h
Difficulty
Leisurely
Ordnance Survey Map
3Created by John Walker on 20 Jun 2015
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path, one of the National Trails, lies mainly within the National Park. This short stage has several brief but strenuous climbs along with varied and stunning coastal scenery. A summer seasonal bus service makes both start and finish point accessible by public transport. We caught the #411 bus from St. David’s to Newgale bus stop, situated by a shop next to the beach.
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Nearby Walks
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- $walk->POI array(0)
Waypoints
OS Grid SM847223
Going North, the Coast Path leaves the A487 just higher up from the shop, on a blind bend.
OS Grid SM846225
The path heads steeply uphill to Bryn y Mor headland, giving great views back of the pebbly sweep of Newgale Beach and of the Brandy Brook, flowing into the sea under the shingle bank.
About 0.30 km (~0.19 miles) from 
OS Grid SM844227
At the top of the climb there is a dramatic view looking along the coast ahead, with headlands, islands and small rocks strung out in a succession of parallel lines stretching away to Ramsey Island.
About 0.23 km (~0.14 miles) from 
OS Grid SM843229
A sharp descent into Cwm Mawr follows, the first of several steep sided valleys where small streams flow down into the sea. At sea level there are masses of caves and the occasional natural arch.
About 0.25 km (~0.16 miles) from 
OS Grid SM827231
You cross another small stream above Porthmynawyd then climb above the promontory of Dynas Fach, labelled on the map as an ancient fort, the headland almost cut-off apart from a narrow rocky causeway.
About 1.58 km (~0.98 miles) from 
OS Grid SM815232
Above the next promontory, Pen Dinas, horses grazed the scrub on land of St. Elvis’ Farm. From here Solva village seems quite close but there are still 2 or 3 more steep ascents before you reach it.
About 1.19 km (~0.74 miles) from 
OS Grid SM804236
The path aims for St. Elvis Rock, ominous cracks in the earth hint at the cliff’s instability. Then the track veers from the edge to go behind another headland on a final plunge to tiny Gwadn Beach.
About 1.19 km (~0.74 miles) from 
OS Grid SM802238
The last short stepped climb is one of the steepest, taking you onto the top of the Gribin (another Iron Age hillfort), a rocky headland with a ridge walk along it but the Coast Path goes down here.
About 0.31 km (~0.19 miles) from 
OS Grid SM804240
The path emerges from a lovely enclosed woodland walk onto Solva harbour, by old lime kilns. It was low tide so we walked along the river mouth to the Harbour Inn for much needed drinks and food.
About 0.28 km (~0.17 miles) from 
Bus stopOS Grid SM806244
The bus stop for the #400 and #411 buses, back to St. David’s or elsewhere is 200m from the pub up the A487, going North from Lower Solva by the Solva Pottery.
About 0.37 km (~0.23 miles) from 
3 comments... join the discussion!
John Walker
I originally posted this walk and I agree it is strenuous in parts. I'd be happy to upgrade it to Moderate but I'm not sure who can carry out this edit.
Steve
I have done this walk many times and I agree with Carolyn Evans, it is more demanding than 'Leisurely'. Something I have found, however, is that walking from Solva to Newgale, the topography of the coastline means that in this direction the inclines are longer but a little less strenuous. Also, from Newgale to Solva, at Low Tide you can miss out the first headland and walk along the beach.
Carolyn Evans
This is truly a beautiful walk with stunning views, however the difficulty rating is definitely not 'Leisurely'. To say there are 'several brief but strenuous climbs' is an understatement. They are constant and not a lot of 'flat' walking in between. I think you need to put the grading as at least 'moderate', 'leisurely' implies a relaxing stroll; definitely not a stroll!