Newport to Fishguard 12 Miles (19.31Km)
The cliffs on this section are lower, mostly at around 40m. Although Pen Dinas rises to 142m,
the level valley path (also National Trail) avoids this. Hills up from and down to the little
beaches are steep but well spread out.
1. Newport Parrog to Old Lifeboat Station 0.5 Miles (0Km)
A seafront walk on access roads and surfaced causeways, with a short section on the beach at low
water.
The high tide alternative has a narrow section and two flights of 6 and 25 steps
Walk Difficulty – No man made obstructions to wheelchairs, ground conditions vary
Car Park / Public Transport Access
Newport Parrog
Bus stop (Poppit Rocket – thrice daily return ‘ Cardigan to Fishguard). Medium size car park.
Accessible WC. Cafe nearby.
Walking Access Point
Parrog Wheelchair section
Newport Parrog SN 052397 to Lifeboat Station SN 044397
From Parrog car park turn right onto raised 30’ (0.8m) wide causeway section. Low tide route on
hard sand by-passes the causeway (150m). Further section also crosses the sand, making route
impassable two hours each side of high tide. 250m is asphalt access road; much of remainder has
concrete surface. Gradients are short and comply with BT standard. Seats. Coastal promenade.
Toilets at Parrog. Wheelchair 0.7 km.
2. Old Lifeboat Station to above Aberhigion 1 Miles (1.61Km)
A fairly gentle section with no stiles and 5 shallow steps. The slopes can be slippery and difficult
when wet. Some of the bays below the cliff were sea quarries for the slate walling stone that was
used in Newport.
Walk Difficulty – No stiles or flights of steps, gradients less than 1:6.
Caution
Cat Rock Cliffs
1
Cliff edge. Keep to the path. Take care in windy weather. Short sections of path fairly close to the
cliff edge.
Walking Access Point
Aber Step (Rhigion) Footpath
Slight uphill then turn right for a short circuit to Aberhigion or return to main road and upland circular
walks.
(Path junction modified by Order 200m to west).
3. Above Aber Rhigian to above Aber Fforest. 1 Miles (1.61Km)
The steep descents to the bays contrast with the nearly-level cliff top. 1 stile, 100 steps. The stiles
have no provision for dog access. Aber Rhigian is undeveloped while Aber Fforest has a cluster of
buildings. From both Aber Rhigian and Aber Fforest delightful woodland valley paths return to the
road.
Walk Difficulty – Stiles, long flights of steps, gradients up to 1:1
Beach
Aber Rhigian Beach
Secluded beach backed by a pebble bank and marsh.
Walking Access Point
Cwm Rhigion Footpath
Steep wooded valley, tumbling streamside, return to main road.
Caution
Aber Ysgol Cliffs
Cliff Edge. Keep to path. Take care in windy weather. Some sections of path close to the cliff
edge. Parts of this cove have eroded by 5m in the last 10 years.
Walking Access Point
Aber Fforest Footpaths
Four footpaths. The eastern path is a stone track return to main road, the other paths are woodland
returns to main road and Dinas.
Beach
Aber Fforest Beach
Small quiet beach backed by a pebble bank. Lime Kiln.
4. Above Aberfforest to Soar Hill 0.5 Miles (0Km)
Accessed from the west this walk has no stiles, steps or steep slopes. As usual there are great
views.
Walk Difficulty – No man made obstructions to wheelchairs, ground conditions vary
Walking Access Point
Soar Hill
2
650m of wooded lane, with no introduced obstructions to wheelchairs.
5. Soar Hill to Cwm-yr-Eglwys 0.2 Miles (0Km)
Steep road with no pavements. Traffic is usually slow but busy in season.
Walk Difficulty – Purpose built path to ‘BT’ Standard for pavement wheelchairs
6. Cwm-yr-Eglwys Wheelchair Path to Pwllgwaelod 0.6 Miles (1.61Km)
There are two dramatically contrasting designated National Trail routes between Cwm-yr-Eglwys
and Pwllgwaelod. This is an all weather path asphalt surfaced for manual wheelchairs. 4 accessible
gates.
Walk Difficulty – Purpose built path to ‘BT’ Standard for pavement wheelchairs
Car Park / Public Transport Access
Cwm-yr-Eglwys Car Park
Small Community Trust car park, charge in season. Accessible WC.
Walking Access Point
Dinas Island Wheelchair Path
Dinas Island – Cwm yr Eglwys car park (small, seasonal charge) SN 014400 to Pwllgwaelod car park
(large, free) SN 005398
Purpose made path to BT standard; cross fall is negligible. Frequent seats, four gates. Section
across Cwm yr Eglwys caravan park, 90m, is concrete honeycomb surface that grass grows
through. This can give a juddering effect when crossed in a chair. Good sea views (and beach) at
each end. Toilets in Pwllgwaelod and Cwm yr Eglwys car parks.
Wheelchair 1 km.
Facilities
The Old Sailors
Restaurant
Car Park / Public Transport Access
Pwllgwaelod Car Park
Bus stop (Poppit Rocket – twice daily return ‘ Cardigan to Fishguard). Large free community car
park. Accessible WC.
Facilities
Dinas Cross (& Brynhenllan)
Villages (0.9 miles inland) with shop, pub, accommodation, chip shop.
7. Cwm-yr-Eglwys Cliff Path to Pwllgwaelod 2.4 Miles (3.22Km)
There are two dramatically contrasting designated National Trail routes between Cwm-yr-Eglwys
and Pwllgwaelod. This route is open cliff with a steep ascent to 400’ and back down to sea level, via Dinas Walk Difficulty – Stiles, long flights of steps, gradients up to 1:1
Beach
Cwm-yr-Eglwys Beach
3
A small fairly quiet sandy beach.
Information
Cwm-yr-Eglwys Church
The belfry and west wall are all that remain of the 12th-century church of St Brynach at
Cwm-yr-Eglwys, destroyed by the great storm of 1859.
Worth a look
Needle Rock
Herring gulls, razorbills and guillemots breed on Needle Rock.
Beach
Pwllgwaelod Beach
Small fairly quiet sandy beach
8. Pwllgwaelod to Headland West of Hescwm (Aber Bach) 1.6 Miles (3.22Km)
The steep descents to the bays contrast with the nearly-level cliff top. These grey shattered cliffs
don’t quite look British, more like a flooded mesa landscape.
6 stiles, 1 wicket gate, 110 steps. The stiles have provision for dog access. Sheep and horses graze
parts of this section.
Walk Difficulty – Stiles, long flights of steps, gradients up to 1:1
Caution
Cliff Edge.
Eroding cliff edges. Keep to path.
Beach
Pwll Gwylog
Difficult access down to this charming little secluded cove. Shingle and boulder beach.
Beach
Aber Hesgwm or Aber Bach
Small quiet beach backed by a pebble bank. Seat.
Walking Access Point
Aber Hesgwm Footpath
The road access to Aber Hesgwm (Aber Bach) is rough, very narrow with few passing places and
many hairpin bends, there are no parking places. Best access is by public footpath from Dinas GR
SN003381.
9. Headland West of Hescwm to Aber Grugog, Penrhyn 1.4 Miles (1.61Km)
The Coast Path along this section has gentle gradients and no stiles. Although unobstructed to
wheelchairs this section would be difficult even for rugged cross country wheelchairs.
Walk Difficulty – No man made obstructions to wheelchairs, ground conditions vary
4
Walking Access Point
Penrhyn towards Hesgwm
Gentle gradients, stile & step free section. No public parking on the coast.
Walking Access Point
Garn Gelli
Access the Coast Path from inland – park at the layby at the top of the hill on the A487(T), follow the
bridleway to Penrhyn.
10. Aber Grugog, Penrhyn to Fishguard Fort 1.7 Miles (3.22Km)
Quite a wild, though short section with heather and gorse on rough outcrops. One stile with
provision for dog access, 100 steps, wet patches and steep gradients. The western quarter mile is
stile free with slight gradients. Horses graze parts of this section.
Walk Difficulty – Stiles, long flights of steps, gradients up to 1:1
Worth a look
Needle Rock
Needle Rock is an unusual pierced stack, with an arch in the base. Best views are slightly to
seaward of the coast path.
11. Fishguard Fort to Lower Town 0.5 Miles (0Km)
The 300m path between the Fort and the road has an even surface but is quite steep. The top
100m from car park to viewpoint is a purpose built wheelchair section.
A short steep road section with a pavement connects the two car parks. Look out for small
directional acorn symbols stuck high up to metal poles and signs, these indicate the recommended
route through or near towns. Look out also for recently put up brown fingers with the acorn symbol.
Walk Difficulty – Road
Information
Fishguard Fort
Fishguard Fort was built in 1779-81, following a bombardment of the town by the privateer Black
Prince. The fort was armed with eight nine-pounder guns. On 22 February 1797 the fort fired its
guns to warn of approaching French ships, but played no further part in repelling the ‘last invasion’
(French landing of 1797). The building is now maintained by the National Park Authority.
Walking Access Point
Wheelchair – Fishguard Fort
Fishguard Fort SM 962375
from the small car park above Lower Town, on the road to Newport. The first section of rolled stone
path is a steep ramp at 1:8 (with landings) for 30m. After a further 70m of gentle slope down, there
is viewpoint overlooking the Fort and Bay. The path continues to the Fort with no introduced
obstructions, but very steeply downhill at 1:4 for 60m.
Toilets at Fishguard, Square and West St. Wheelchair 100m.
Car Park / Public Transport Access
Fishguard Fort Car Park
5
Small (about 8 car) car park, sometimes with an ice cream van. A popular spot for watching the
ferries come and go.
Facilities
Lower Town
The Ship Pub.
Car Park / Public Transport Access
Lower Town
Bus stop (Poppit Rocket – thrice daily return ‘ Cardigan to Fishguard). Medium car park. Harbour.
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