Route: Strumble Head
Area: Pembrokeshire
Date of walk: 25th September 2020
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 6.5 miles
Ascent: 1,500 feet
Weather: Sunshine and clouds, very strong winds
Anyone following this walk is recommended to bring a pair of binoculars. Strumble Head is one of the prime locations on the North Pembrokeshire coast for sealife watching. Dolphins, porpoises and whales may be seen, and in late summer the bays below the cliffs become maternity wards for baby seals
We parked near the Strumble Head lighthouse on Ynys Meicel, and followed the undulating Wales Coast Path as far as the head of Porthsychan. This marked the start of an inland section, mostly along quiet country lanes, with occasional views across the fields to the sea
Eventually we left the road to start the easy ascent of Garn Fechan, a hill which leads to its taller brother, Garn Fawr. Both hills are surrounded by rubble ramparts, examples of Iron Age defensive settlements. From the summit of Garn Fawr, which is easily attained, there were fabulous views in all directions. We would have lingered here longer, but a ferocious gale was doing its best to blow us off our feet, and so we set off down the western flank of the hill, quite steeply at first
Lower down we rejoined the coast path, which enjoys wonderful views throughout. We passed above a rocky cove at Pwll Deri, and from here we had a good sighting of at least 40 seals, many of them babies, lolling around on the stony beach. Eventually the lighthouse came back into view and we followed the coast path past it and back to the start of a superb walk
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The start of the walk from near Strumble Head lighthouse on the small island of Ynys Meicel
We follow the Wales Coast Path heading east away from the lighthouse
The ferry from Rosslare in Ireland to Fishguard, which sails twice a day, is in the distance
Gazing out to sea - dolphins, porpoises and whales may be seen in these parts, so it's worth bringing binoculars. We took ours, but had no sightings
Porthsychan beach
We head inland at Porthsychan, but a longer coastal section awaits us at the end of the walk
We follow a path away from the coast
We emerge onto a lane at Tresinswen, and turn left
Our next objectives, Garn Fechan (left) and Garn Fawr (right) come into view
We follow an easy path uphill to Garn Fechan
A view back to the lighthouse at Strumble Head
The summit of Garn Fechan which, like Garn Fawr, is strewn with the ruins of rubble ramparts, the remains of Iron Age defensive settlements
The promontory of Dinas Mawr right of picture, and St David's Head in the far distance
An easy down and up to the next hill, Garn Fawr
Looking back to Garn Fechan
Summit of Garn Fawr ahead
From the summit of Garn Fawr, where it was so windy we could hardly stand up, a view of our return route along the coast to Strumble Head lighthouse
The view from Garn Fawr is huge, extending to Cemaes Head looking one way...
...and to St David's Head looking the other way - nearly a quarter of the Pembrokeshire coast
After a steepish descent from Garn Fawr we turn right at this signpost to rejoin the Wales Coast Path
The headland of Penbwchdy on the left
The promontory of Dinas Mawr, which can be reached by a there and back detour
We continue to follow the main path above the cliffs
Looking back across the cove of Porth Maenmelyn to Garn Fawr
St David's Head in the far distance
The lighthouse comes into view, but is further away than appears thanks to the meanderings of the path as it weaves in and out of coves
The small bay of Pwll Arian
A little further around the bay, we looked down to see about 30 seals, many of them babies
Zooming in...
Strumble Head lighthouse, located on the island of Ynys Meicel - the bridge linking it to the mainland can be seen on the right
A view along the path, which gives good views of the lighthouse...
The end of the walk is just around the corner
A final view of the lighthouse at the end of a fantastic walk
The sky at dusk later that day
