Pembrokeshire Coastal Path - Wales (Cymru)

June 15 - 22, 2008

The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path is Britain's most splendid Long Distance National Trail.

Pembrokeshire is blessed with breathtaking coastal scenery and the National Trail follows the cliff edge or white sand beaches for almost 300 kilometers.

We hike the choice middle section around Saint Brides Bay from picturesque Dale to historic Saint David's a distance of 78 kilometers.

At this time of the year the cliffs are covered in a profusion of colourful wild flowers while newborn lambs gambol in adjoining fields.

We hike moderate distances each day and stay in classic B&B renowned for their Welsh hospitality. We take a boat trip to spectacular Ramsey Island a world famous bird sanctuary and we spend a day exploring the Celtic history of the region including Coetan Arthur reputed to be the burial chamber of King Arthur, visit an Iron Age fort and climb the slopes of Carn Lidi a holy mountain that overlooks the expanse of Whitesands Beach.

Sunday, 15 June - Arrival Day. Some participants will leave North America on June 14 arriving in the UK the morning of June 15 (except for the lucky people who just finished The Hadrian's Wall Path - June 7 - 15). All will take a train to Haverfordwest in Wales. We will meet trains and deliver tired travelers to our first accommodation.

Monday, 16 June - Warm-up day. We drive to the picture perfect town of Dale and hike around St Ann's Head - 8 kilometers. The terrain on this loop is similar to what we will experience on the rest of the trip. Early night as we continue to recover from our travels.

Tuesday, 17 June - We return to Dale and hike along our first big beach at Marloes Sands. We will view the remains of an Iron Age fort and other antiquities at the exhibition centre at Martin's Haven then continue to the delightful town of Little Haven - 20 kilometers.

Wednesday, 18 June - If the tide is out we will be able to walk from Little Haven to Broad Haven and along another popular beach. We continue past quaint Nolton Haven then over a headland to the mother of all beaches at Newgale. After a pleasant stop at the Duke of Edinborough we continue to Solva with its busy yacht basin.- 18.0 kilometers.

Thursday - 19 June - The coastline after Solva is particularly interesting and includes St Non's Chapel and spring. St Non was St David's mother and the spring was said to have started on the day of his birth. Another highlight is the tiny harbour at Port Clais with its many colourful boats and a convenient National Trust tea shop. The trail continues around a point to St. Justinian's - 17.2 kilometers.

Friday - 20 June - Ramsey Island Day Ramsey Island is owned by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and can only be reached by boat from St Justinian's. With its spectacular cliffs and thousands of breeding seabirds Ramsey is a magical place. We will take the boat to the island in the morning and hike the 5.6 kilometers trail to view nesting Chough, Lapwing, Guillemot, Razorbill and Peregrine Falcon. Bring your binoculars and be prepared to be delighted by natures bounty.

Saturday - 21 June - Celtic History Day We take a shuttle bus to White Sands Bay and hike around St. David's Head to explore the Celtic history of the region including Coetan Arthur reputed to be the burial chamber of King Arthur, visit an Iron Age fort and climb the slopes of Carn Lidi a holy mountain that overlooks Whitesands Beach. Later we return to St David's and visit the famous Cathedral and Bishop's Palace. Celebration dinner at a local pub.

Sunday - 22 June - Departure Day Early shuttle back to Haverfordwest and trains to wherever.

Land cost from Haverfordwest, Wales is $1,448, covering specified local transport, boat trip to Ramsey Island, daily guided program, accommodation (double occupancy with bath) all breakfasts and a celebration pub dinner.

Although every effort will be made to adhere to the above program changes may be necessary due to unforeseen circumstances.

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