Abereiddy to Porthgain

Starting point  and OS Grid reference: Free car park at Abereiddy (SM797321)		Ordnance Survey Map OL35 – North Pembrokeshire. Buy this map from List of OS Maps
Distance:  5.86 miles
Traffic light rating: (For explanation see My Walks page)
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Introduction: Abereiddy is spelt as two words on the OS map but locally on signs as one, so on the basis that the locals know best, I use the one word version.

This is a short easy walk which takes you on an interesting journey through some of Pembrokeshire’s industrial heritage and amongst some dramatically indented coastline with sheer cliffs. Refreshments are available in Porthgain (notably the Sloop Inn) and there are a couple of interesting galleries/shops. Public toilets are available in Porthgain and at Abereiddy (a cream building set back from the beach).

The walk begins from the large free car park at Abereiddy. To get there, turn off the A487 Fishguard to St. Davids road at Croes-goch on to a side road signposted Abereiddy Beach. Turn right at the first junction then straight across at the crossroads.

Start: From Abereiddy car park (SM797321) and facing the sea, turn right. Where the coast path starts, there is an interesting information board which tells you about the slate quarrying which used to go on here. Before going far on the coast path, it is worth turning left at the first finger post to see the aptly named Blue Lagoon (SM 795314), a remnant of the slate industry with ruined buildings. It is popular for “coasteering”.

(To look at the round tower you can see on the cliff tops (SM 793395) and which is referred to on the information board, you need to descend a cleft from the cliff tops then climb up to it – see photo above).

Retrace your steps to the fingerpost and follow the coast path signs designated by the acorn sign, to Porthgain. En route, you pass ruined buildings connected with brickmaking and note the tall cone shaped structures as you approach Porthgain, on the cliffs at either side of the channel to the harbour. One is painted white (SM 814327). These would have been used to guide boats to the entrance.

As you get close to the harbour, originally built in 1851, there is a massive brick built edifice on the right. This is the remains of the old brickworks which was in its heyday from 1889-1912.

From Porthgain, follow the coastal path north passing the white channel marker at close quarters. Stay on the path until it meets the road just before the village of Trefin (SM 833324). Turn right and walk along the road passing a house called Awel-for on the right.

One field beyond the house, look out for a footpath on the right indicated by a fingerpost (SM 829321) and go diagonally across the field and through the gate. Turn left and follow the fence and banking on the left.

The footpath becomes a broad track which takes you to a farm (SM 819319) (Henllys). Here, bear left following the fingerpost for Porthgain.

As you approach and pass a group of white cottages (at Felindre House), ignore the first fingerpost on the right but turn off at the second over a stile (SM 817319). Follow the right hand boundary of the field to the stone stile at the end (heading in the direction of the white buildings ahead). You will soon see a stile next to a power pole which exits into the road (SM 814310).

Turn left and immediately right to Barry Island farm according to the map but represented in actuality by a sign “Ynys Barry Holiday Cottages and Lodges”. At the junction of the tracks, keep right. A sign soon advises that the road to the beach is closed to all vehicles – footpath only – although it is a tarmac road for a while.

As you pass between two sets of white painted gateposts, the tarmac stops and it becomes a rougher track. Pass a three way fingerpost and follow “Abereiddy 1 mile” straight ahead.

At a gateway with another three way fingerpost, continue following the sigh for Abereiddy.

The track enters a field where there is yet another three way fingerpost. Turn left. The footpath route actually goes diagonally across the field to a stile but if the field is in crop, be charitable and walk round its edge (it is only a small field).

Over the stile and the car park where you started will be clearly visible. Follow the obvious path to it.

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