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United Kingdom
Wales
South Wales
Pembrokeshire
Stackpole And Castlemartin

Stackpole Head – Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Moderate

4.9

(165)

911

hikers

Stackpole Head – Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

02:08

8.08km

70m

Hiking

Abundant wildlife, ruggedly spectacular coastal scenery, magnificent architecture and one of Wales’ finest beaches combine to create a wonderful loop. It’s particularly beautiful in spring and early summer, when wildflowers proliferate and water lilies are a magical sight on the Bosherston Lily Ponds. Expect to catch sight of razorbills, guillemots, choughs and falcons among the cliffs.

The loop is accessible by bus at Stackpole and Bosherston, while there’s car parking at both sites too.

Starting from Stackpole Quay, the route ventures east on a permissive path to the remarkable Eight-Arch Bridge, a Grade II-listed structure over Bosherston’s Lily Ponds. Head south from here and enjoy the sumptuous woodland, which is particularly colourful in the warmer months.

After the gentle beauty of the ponds and woodland trails, the second half of the walk is characterised by dramatic limestone cliffs, jagged stacks and secret coves sculpted by often violent natural forces. These scenes of loveless loveliness are interrupted in the latter stages by the famously beautiful Barafundle Bay and its sandy beach. Only accessible on foot, this tranquil haven is a favourite among locals and visitors alike.

Soon, you arrive back at Stackpole Quay, which was once a limestone quarry and is now a tiny little harbour. The Boathouse Tea-room is a good spot for a little bit of post walk refreshment.

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Mae amrywiaeth o fywyd gwyllt, golygfeydd arfordirol gwych, pensaernïaeth ardderchog a un o draethau gorau Cymru yn cyfuno yma i greu cylchdaith fendigedig. Mae'n arbennig o hardd yn y gwanwyn a dechrau’r haf, pan fydd blodau gwyllt yn llawn ac mae Lilïau Dŵr yn olygfa cyfareddol ar Byllau Lili Bosherston. Edrychwch ymlaen i weld Llursod, Gwylogod, Brain Coesgoch a Hebogiaid ar y clogwyni.

Gallwch gyrraedd y gylchdaith ar fws o Ystagbwll a Bosherston, tra bod mannau parcio ar y ddau safle hefyd.

Gan ddechrau o Gei Ystagbwll, mae'r llwybr yn mentro i'r dwyrain ar lwybr wedi’i ganiatau at y Bont Wyth Bwa hynod, sef strwythur rhestredig gradd-II dros Byllau Lilïau Bosherston. Ewch i'r de yma a mwynhewch y coetir helaethwych, sy'n arbennig o liwgar yn y misoedd cynhesach.

Ar ôl prydferthwch tawel y pyllau a'r llwybrau coetir, mae ail hanner y daith yn cael ei nodweddu gan glogwyni carreg galch dramatig, staciau danheddog a chilfachau dirgel wedi eu ffurfio gan rymoedd naturiol grymus yn amal. Tuag at ddiwedd y daith ddeddowch at brydferthwch enwog Bae Barafundle a’i draeth tywodlyd. Ar gael i gerddwyr yn unig, mae'r hafan tawel hwn yn ffefryn gyda’r bobl leol ac ymwelwyr fel ei gilydd.

Yn fuan, byddwch yn cyrraedd Cei Ystagbwll, a oedd unwaith yn chwarel galchfaen ac sydd nawr yn harbwr bach iawn. Mae’r ‘Boathouse Tea-room’ yn fan da i gael lluniaeth ar ôl y daith gerdded.

by

Last updated: February 7, 2025

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Waypoints

A

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

1

1.52 km

Eight-Arch Bridge, Stackpole

Highlight • Historical Site

The Bridge at Stackpole was built in 1797 to connect Stackpole Court and Home Farm to New Deer Park and Stackpole Quay. It consists of eight segmental arches made of limestone masonry, which were built over a weir.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2

5.12 km

Mowing Word Bay Cliffs

Highlight • Viewpoint

Compared to nearby Barafundle, few people have heard of the unusually named bay, Mowing Word.

Challenging to access on foot, the safest option is to soak up the outstanding views from the cliff top.

At low tide the golden sand is punctuated with fantastical rock formations. There are huge caves, a blow hole, countless rockpools and an impressive sea stack in the centre of the beach.

Tip by

3

7.00 km

Barafundle Bay

Highlight • Natural

With soft and golden sand, crystal-clear waters, and backed by dunes and trees, Barafundle Bay has been voted as one of the best beaches in Britain time and time again. This isolated bay is only accessible on foot. Barafundle won the Green Coast Award 2019 and Seaside Award 2019. Be aware, there are no facilities at the beach.

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4

7.83 km

Stackpole Quay

Highlight • Structure

Stackpole Quay is a small harbor nestled into the cliffs and is a popular meeting place for kayakers heading to the caves and cliffs.
At low tide, a rocky beach appears. Be sure to check the tides beforehand to make sure there's enough beach and you're not cut off by the incoming tide!

Translated by Google •

Tip by

B

8.08 km

End point

Parking

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Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

5.37 km

1.43 km

1.23 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

4.27 km

2.46 km

1.23 km

< 100 m

< 100 m

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Elevation

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Weather

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Saturday 23 May

22°C

7°C

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Comments

June 23, 2023

Abundant wildlife, ruggedly spectacular coastal scenery, magnificent architecture and one of Wales’ finest beaches combine to create a wonderful loop. It’s particularly beautiful in spring and early summer, when wildflowers proliferate and water lilies are a magical sight on the Bosherston Lily Ponds

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Nearby routes

Moderate

4.9

1,584

Bosherston Lily Ponds to Barafundle Bay loop — Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

02:35h

9.86km

80m

Trail Reviews

Catherine
May 30, 2024, 622 Stackpole and the Lily Ponds (Pembs) ☑️

This walk explored the particularly outstanding stretch of limestone cliffs between the old harbour at Stackpole Quay and Broad Haven beach. It then followed the eastern reach of the ornamental ponds before crossing fields behind the headlamd to complete the circuit. We had a couple of debriefs one at The Boathouse, Stackpole ☕️ where we started the walk from and then a short drive after our walk at the nearby Stackpole Inn, Stackpole🍻

Sadly had to terminate our hike halfway after twisting my ankle 😭😭

Great hike, again well planned by our son. 👍👍

Translated by Google

Another cracking walk from Stackpole to Bosherston this time, Toppy enjoyed the quick beach stop. The lily ponds still as stunning even though we only saw them a few days ago.

Anno
June 1, 2025, Tour

A beautiful tour. If the weather is good, be sure to bring your swimsuit. And don't forget your binoculars!

Translated by Google

Lovely walk, whatever the weather and a great NT cafe at Stackpole Quay!

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