3 of 5 (49 votes)

St. Davids to Solva

A leisurely walk (coast) in national park Pembrokeshire Coast starting and finishing in Pembrokeshire (Sir Benfro), Wales, about 7.80km (4.85 mi) long with an estimated walking time of about 2:15h. It is suitable for families with children, but unsuitable for prams & pushchairs, wheelchairs.
Elevation Profile
Ascent 64m (209ft)
Descent 105m (344ft)
Max. Elevation 70m (229ft)
Altitude Gain & Loss 169m (553ft)
Start
St Davids
End
Solva
Distance 7.80km
(4.85mi)
Duration ~2:15h
Difficulty  
Leisurely
3Created by John Walker on 14 Nov 2015
This is a classic stretch of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, cliff-top walking but without being too strenuous. Between May and the end of September this area boasts a really useful set of bus services, targeted at getting walkers to and from the coast. This walk makes use of the Puffin Shuttle which runs along the main A487 road from St. David’s to Newgale. Remember to check the latest timetable!

Walk Functions

Share

Nearby Walks

A walk around the coast from St David's

★★★★★ ★★★★★
A moderate, circular walk (coast) starting in Pembrokeshire (Sir Benfro), Wales, about 10.70km (6.65 mi) long, duration: ~3:15h.

St. Justinian to St. David coast path

★★★★★ ★★★★★
A leisurely, walk (coast) starting in Pembrokeshire, Wales, about 8.30km (5.16 mi) long, duration: ~2:45h.

Newgale to Druidston Haven

★★★★★ ★★★★★
A leisurely, linear walk (coast) starting in Pembrokeshire (Sir Benfro), Wales, about 7.10km (4.41 mi) long, duration: ~2:15h.

Walk Map

$walk->POI array(0)
Called from .../walk.php:384

Waypoints

OS Grid SM753253
From the central square in St. David’s take the SW road towards St. Justinians but almost immediately turn left along a track. Then turn left again, walking behind City Hall.
OS Grid SM752252
In around 50m take another track to the right.
About 0.08 km (~0.05 miles) from
OS Grid SM751252
After about 150m at a T-junction of tracks turn right then in 50m turn left, between fields, heading due South.
About 0.11 km (~0.07 miles) from
OS Grid SM751245
The track dog-legs a couple of times before reaching the Coast Path just beyond a large grey stone building with a small stone chapel in its grounds. This is St. Non’s Retreat.
About 0.77 km (~0.48 miles) from
OS Grid SM750243
Just behind the Retreat, in a field, are the remains of St. Non's chapel, thought to date from the mid-6th C, making it one of the oldest surviving Christian structures in the UK. Non was David's mum.
About 0.20 km (~0.12 miles) from
OS Grid SM752242
The first view of this coast is stunning. To the West the cliffs and headlands oscillate repeatedly to the tiny islands of Ynys Bery and Ynys Eilun, both just off the tip of the larger Ramsey Island.
About 0.27 km (~0.17 miles) from
OS Grid SM754241
To the East a sweep of dramatic headlands and coves is visible, with a stretch of sandy beach at Newgale and beyond. To the South across St. Bride’s Bay is a long promontory ending in Skomer Island.
About 0.23 km (~0.14 miles) from
OS Grid SM756240
Follow the acorn signs going East, beside St. Non’s Bay. Rounding the first headland the small beach of Caerfal Bay is visible, with a camp-site perched above it in fields and a short squat lighthouse
About 0.20 km (~0.12 miles) from
OS Grid SM762240
Here the path maintains height beyond the next headland, with remains of ancient fortifications around. At a narrow inlet (Caer Bwdy Bay) the path goes down past old quarry works, then climbs again.
About 0.65 km (~0.4 miles) from
OS Grid SM781243
At Porth y Rhaw a narrow valley intrudes and the path descends almost to sea level to cross a stream next to the remains of quarry or mill workings. The climb up the far side of the valley is gentle.
About 1.93 km (~1.2 miles) from
OS Grid SM789238
Now the cliffs take on a more slate-like appearance, glittering in the sun with swirls and squiggles of strata, culminating in a huge natural arch piercing the side of a headland close to Segar Rock.
About 0.89 km (~0.55 miles) from
OS Grid SM795238
There are substantial rocky islands offshore, (Green Scar, Black Scar and the Mare). The path seems to undulate on, unbroken, for miles.
About 0.57 km (~0.35 miles) from
OS Grid SM798237
Then ahead, suddenly a deep fissure in space appears and the path is forced inland, up one edge of a steep-sided fjord (strictly, this is a ria, a drowned unglaciated river valley).
About 0.34 km (~0.21 miles) from
OS Grid SM801241
The path follows just inside a field boundary for a few hundred metres before heading downhill, along the ria edge, into the unfeasibly picturesque setting of Lower Solva.
About 0.45 km (~0.28 miles) from
OS Grid SM803242
Several derelict lime kilns are preserved here. Lime burning was a major source of trade for the port of Solva up to the 19th century. Limestone and coal were brought here by ships then lime exported
About 0.24 km (~0.15 miles) from
OS Grid SM806243
Walk a little further past the Harbour Inn then go another 200m up the valley to catch the #400 bus back to St. David’s from outside the Solva Pottery.
About 0.25 km (~0.16 miles) from

What do you think?

Comment Headline
Comment
Your Name
Your Email
What does the image (right) show?
(Starts with "B" and ends with "oot")
Please note: Car Free Walks are not responsible for the accuracy of public transport information. close 
Loading...