Pembrokeshire Coast Path
Pembrokeshire Coast Path (Welsh: Llwybr Arfordir Sir Benfro) (also called the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path) is a National Trail in Pembrokeshire in the Wales, in the United Kingdom. It is a footpath that anyone can walk anytime for free.[1] It was made a footpath in 1970. It is 186 miles (299 km) long. The highest place on the path is Pen yr afr. It is 574 feet (175 m) high. It's lowest place is Sandy Haven crossing. It is 6 feet (2 m) low at the water.[2] The path goes along coast and people walking on the path will see the water most of the time.
The path starts at Amroth and goes north to Poppit Sands. A plaque is located at Poppit Sands.[3] The path used to stop, or start, at Poppit Sands. Now it goes to St. Dogmaels.[4][5] At St. Dogmaels the path connects to another path called the Ceredigion Coast Path.[6] The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is a part of the Wales Coast Path.[7]
History
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park was founded in 1952. After it was founded, Ronald Lockley did a survey for a path on the coastline. The region was very rural. There were villages on the coastline but communication between other villages was very hard. People often used boats to visit each other.[8] Lockey reported on this in 1953. He suggested that a footpath be created to help. Most of the places the path would go through were public space, so anyone could walk on them without any problems. Other parts were owned by people, so you could not walk on the path without asking. They asked the owners if it was okay to use their land for the paths and most people said it as ok. There are still some areas of the path that go in strange directions because path users cannot walk on the private land. It took 17 years to build the path. 100 footbridges and 479 stiles were built. Thousands of stairs were built into the ground.[4]
The path was opened on May 16, 1970 by Wynford Vaughan-Thomas. It was 180 miles (290 km) long. Now it is 186 miles (299 km).[4]
Description
Most of the path is located in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The path goes along the Irish Sea. There are many different types of geological and environmental areas. There are headlands, cliffs, coves, glacial valleys, and more. The path goes by 58 beaches and 14 harbors.[9]
Most of the path is easy to walk. There is one part that goes 35,000 feet (11,000 m) high. There are two areas near the water that it passes which sometimes get flooded. These parts are at Dale and Sandy Haven. The path goes through some towns and villages. These include Tenby, St Davids, Solva and Newport.
Connected trails
There are some trails that connect to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. They are:
Geology
The rocks under the path are over 300 million years old. The look of the land that the path goes along is the effect of the Ice Age. There are a variety of different types of rocks one can see on the path: igneous, pre-Cambrian, and more.[8]
Wildlife
Walkers on the path can see wild flowers during the seasons of Spring and Summer. There are a lot of birds. Many of the birds are seabirds. There are also porpoises, dolphins, and seals in the water off the path.[10]
Ancient history
There are historical sites on the path that date back to Neolithic times. There are places where there used to be hut circles. There are former places that people lived in during the Bronze Age and Iron Age.[8] Most of the land near the path is farmed and people also fish off the path like they did in ancient times, but with modern tools.[10]
Awards
The path was named the second best National Geographic's place to visit on a coast in 2011.[11][12] The beaches along the path are famous also and have won over 300 awards for their quality, environmentalism and beauty.[13][14]
Pembrokeshire Coast Path Media
Map of Pembrokeshire, showing the Coastal Path (red) and National Park (green)
The plaque at the northern end of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path at St Dogmaels
Near Ceibwr Bay, looking north towards Cemaes Head
Between Pwllgwaelod and Fishguard
Thorn Island or Thorne Island from West Angle
References
- ↑ "Pembrokeshire Coast Path". National Trails. Archived from the original on 17 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ↑ "Pembrokeshire Coast Path Statistics". National Trails. Archived from the original on 25 May 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ↑ "Coast Path Marker". Pembrokeshire Coastal Photography. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 John, Brian (2012). Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Aurum Press. ISBN 978-1845137823.
- ↑ "Pembrokeshire Coast Path: Newport to St Dogmaels". visitpembrokeshire.com. Archived from the original on 18 June 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ↑ "All-Wales coast path moves a step closer at St Dogmaels". BBC News South West Wales. 21 February 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ↑ "All-Wales coast path nears completion". BBC News Wales. 17 October 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Kelsall, Dennis; Kelsall, Jan (2005). The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path: From Amroth to St Dogmaels: A Practical Guide for Walkers (2nd ed.). Cicerone Press. ISBN 978-1852843786.
- ↑ "Pembrokeshire Coast Path: Welcome". visitpembrokeshire.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Pembrokeshire Coast Path". Celtic Trails: UK Walking Holidays. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ↑ "Pembrokeshire Coast picks up an award". National Trails. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ↑ "Pembrokeshire Coast Path walks off with accolade of being one of world's top trails". WalesOnline. 10 August 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ↑ "Wales' coastline & beaches guide". VisitWales.com. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ↑ Pembrokeshire (Annual Tourist Brochure). Pembrokeshire Tourism. 2011.