Dinas Island and Dinas Head

Starting point  and OS Grid reference: Car park at Cwm-yr-Eglwys (SN 014400)		Ordnance Survey Map OL35 - Pembrokeshire Buy this map from List of OS Maps     Note: If you use OS Maps on-line, you can download this route via this link.
Distance: 3.4 miles	Date of Walk: 30 June 2024
Ascent: Descent: See Walking Time Calculator	637ft (194m) 637ft (194m)
Traffic light rating: (For explanation see My Walks page)
For advice on .gpx files see My Walks page	Click the PDF logo above to give a printable version of this walk without the photos.

To view route as a dynamic Ordnance Survey map click here.

Introduction: This short walk is a circuit of Dinas Island and is very easy to navigate, barely needing any instructions. The only thing to watch for is a right turn off the more major ‘permissive’ path as described below, on to the cliff edge path. If you find this path too daunting you can continue along the main path to the summit trig. point.

It is quite a steep walk up to the trig. point at Dinas Head (hence the amber’ traffic light’) but it is worth it for the view of the coast and inland to the Preseli Hills. Out to sea, you have a good chance of seeing the ferry from Fishguard.

The ‘Island’ is actually a peninsula separating Newport and Fishguard Bays.

The walk starts from the tiny, picturesque hamlet of Cwm-yr-Eglwys and before leaving it, it is worth having a look at the remains of the 12^th Century church of St. Brynach’s and its graveyard in a lovely setting in the sandy cove. Sadly, it is its proximity to the beach which was its downfall because in 1859, it was destroyed in a great storm. A plaque by the gate tells you more. There is also a scale model of a Cwm Trader, a coastal trading vessel of a type traditionally found in these parts.

By taking the cliff edge path, you get a good view of Needle Rock where you can see a wide variety of birds -  razorbills, guillemots, fulmars and shag in the breeding season as well as more common gulls. There is also a wide variety of flora to be seen.

To get to Cwm-yr-Eglwys leave the A487, just north of Dinas Cross. Cwm-yr Eglwys is signposted. Note the road down to the hamlet is very narrow with few passing places. There is a pay car park and public toilets.

Start: Exit the car park from the rear, right hand corner (opposite the entrance), following the fingerpost. It is worth having a look at the remains of the church but continue past a double garage and then turn right to follow the ‘Acorn’ fingerpost denoting the coast footpath.

Climb some steps before passing through a walkers’ gate on to National Trust land of “Pen Dinas”.

Follow the clear path but branch off the larger path to the right following a red arrow on a marker post (SN 016405). This minor path is actually the ‘official’ Right of Way footpath, though the majority obviously follow the broader path. The advantage of taking this path is that it gives you a close look at Needle Rock and its birdlife.

Follow this path round the coast. It rejoins the main path eventually (SN 001410). Turn right.

Follow this path to the trig. point at the summit.

Continue to follow the path around the coast. It eventually opens on to a large concrete area on at the corner of a broad track (SN 004400). Turn right over a cattle grid to follow the track downhill.

Just as you get to the beach at Pwllgwaelod, turn left to follow a fingerpost for “Cwm-yr Eglwys”, along a well ‘manicured’ path to return to the car park.

If you need to buy any hiking equipment/clothing before your trip see the Hiking Store

All information on this site is given in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of any damage, loss or injury which might result from acting on it.