Pembrokeshire Coast Path

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path (Welsh Llwybr Arfordir Sir Benfro ), often referred to as the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, is one of the official long-distance footpaths in the United Kingdom ( National Trail ) in Pembrokeshire in southwest Wales. It was established in 1970, is almost 300 km long and runs primarily on the top of the local cliffs on the Welsh coast. Although the coastline is mainly oriented to the west, we viewpoints obtained by the many bays along the path again and again in almost every direction.

The southern end of the trail is located in Amroth, Pembrokeshire, as the northern end is mostly given in Pembrokeshire Poppit Sands, near St. Dogmaels where originally was an official start mark. In 2009 the road was extended up directly to St. Dogmaels, there is now a new start mark.

History

Soon after 1952, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park was set up, hit the Welsh natural historians and author Ronald Lockley before a route along the coast for a hiking trail. Even if there were some settlements along the coast, was the connection between these mainly with boats and access to the coast was generally not very easy. Lockley submitted his report in 1953, his suggestions were welcomed by the relevant authorities and largely adopted. For some of the intended track segments there was a public right of way, however, most led on private land, so that at first had to be conducted extensive discussions with the landowners. The results of influence to this day the course of the path that deviates in some places, where the landowners did not agree to a route over their land from the obvious best connection.

The construction of the trail lasted over 17 years, during which more than 100 pedestrian bridges and more than 450 passages over fences erected, as well as thousands of steps were built on steep or slippery sections. After the opening on May 16, 1970, the entire route length was specified at 180 miles, but this no longer corresponds with multiple ways to change the current length.

Route

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path runs almost entirely within the National Park and geared resistant to the coast. It is usually divided into 15 legs with the following endpoints:

Since the coastal path is now well and easily at dozens of places available, it is used by many hikers in the context of day trips. This is also the very large range of bus services which are specifically tailored to the needs of hikers.

Nature

The rocks of the landscape are very old, there are hardly any ones that are younger than 250 million years. Today's coastline is a result of weathering and deformation of these ancient rocks under the influence of the sea, the rivers and the last ice ages. The oldest Precambrian rocks are found in the northern part of Pembrokeshire. These date back to the time before the Caledonian orogeny and are often of volcanic origin. Younger formed by sedimentation rocks dominate the southern Pembrokeshire.

In the spring and summer show up along the way many types of coastal flowers and a large number of bird species. On many steep coastline, there are colonies of seabirds and uninhabited offshore islands such as Skomer, Skokholm and Grass Holm serve them as an ideal habitat. The largest sea creatures near the coast are seals, porpoises and harbor porpoises.

Archeology and sights

Remains of Neolithic cromlechs (stone circles or dolmens ) are found along the way as well as evidence of Bronze Age settlement. However, the most impressive witnesses of past cultures are the more than 2,000 year old Iron Age coastal fortresses, of which the trail passes almost 60 pieces. One of the best preserved lies near Solva.

Early medieval cemeteries were found at St Brides and West Angle, at Newport, there are still remnants of earthworks from the same period.

In the immediate vicinity of the road, tumuli ( such as Carreg Coetan Arthur) the castles of Manorbier Castle and Carew Castle, the city of St Davids with the Cathedral of St David's and the City of Pembroke Castle Pembroke Castle.

Awards

At St. Dogmaels the way to the Ceredigion Coast Path passes, which follows the coast further north. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is part of the 1400 km long Wales Coast Path, which leads all the Welsh coast from Chepstow Queensferry along.

2011 refers to the Pembrokeshire coast as one of the most beautiful coastal areas in the world National Geographic magazine. Many of the beaches where the path leads along, have received local awards since 2011 39 beach sections of the Marine Conservation Society recommended.

Gallery

View from the trail on the Marloes Peninsula

Poppit Sands at the northern end of the road

Wall remains of an Iron Age coastal fort at Pwll Caerog

Megalithic grave Carreg Sampson