A new search tool created by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority helps countryside lovers select the perfect route for them, regardless of abilities

Its colossal beauty makes Pembrokeshire’s Coastal Path one of Britain’s most popular routes for ramblers. The 186-mile path has previously been ranked among the top ten walks in the world, alongside the Inca Trail in Peru and even Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

But as well as the coastal route, there are dozens of stunning and accessible walks available throughout the National Park, which take in the stunning views and unspoilt countryside that the county has to offer.

The walks, many of which are easily accessible, are something being promoted by Bluestone National Park Resort, which is working alongside the Park Authority to encourage visitors to explore all the area has to offer.

“Bluestone sits within the boundaries of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and its one of the things that our guests find so appealing,” said Bluestone Sustainability Manager Ged Davies.

“We know that as well as exploring our 500 acres of rolling countryside here at Bluestone, guests who want to come back time and time again, do so because our beautiful county has so much to offer and often there is never enough time to see it all. We have been working with the National Park Authority to ensure that new visitors, of all abilities are aware of what there is to do and see. There are more than 200 circular walks in the Park and people are surprised by how accessible the walks can be and PCNPA has a fantastic search tool on its website to help you find the perfect walk for your age and ability.”

1, Poppit Sands (wheelchair accessible)

Total distance: 460M

This beautiful stretch of coast is well worth seeing and is easily accessible by wheelchair users, according the PCNPA guide.

The walk, which is in two sections, starts with the beach path 80m and continues to what is described as Adventure Wheelchair Walk along a Marsh Path, a further 380m.

Amenities include a car park, public toilets, public telephone and bus stop. There’s also a wheelchair for hire at the cafe.

Public transport: Service bus Poppit Sands 407

Here’s what PCNPA says: “Park in the large National Park car park near the beach (charge in season but blue badge holders park free). Leave car park by pedestrian exit. Cross the road towards the lifeboat station with its shop and adjacent public toilet. Access to beach is along a timber boardwalk. The sand at the top of the beach is dry and loose - you will need help to cross it. Lower down the sand is hard and almost level, but the tide comes in very rapidly.

2. Porth Clais Adventure Wheelchair ’Walk

Total distance 175 yards (160m)

This is a walk with short sections each side of a beautiful harbour. It starts with a timber boardwalk to beacon which is level, then moving on to a compacted stone surface, with a long gentle gradient.

Amenities include a car park, public toilets, public telephone, bus stop.

Here’s what PCNPA says; “ The upper harbour sides are accessible - about 80m on each side. Surface is compacted stone. Views of picturesque little harbour. Seats. Radar WC at National Trust car park.

Public transport: Celtic Coaster (Wheelchair accessible)

3. Freshwater East (Adventure Wheelchair ‘Walk’)

Distance: 343 yards (314m) there and back

Public transport : Coastal Cruiser

Character: Hard surface of concrete, no steps, stiles/gates. There are gentle slopes in places, landings, bench at viewpoint.

Breathtaking views across a wide stretch of golden sand backed by sand dunes. Here’s what PCNPA says about the walk: “The footpath starts from the small parking area on the eastern edge of the village to lead to the cliff top viewpoint. There is free parking but capacity is limited to a maximum eight vehicles. The car park has a hard surface. From the car park to the viewpoint the distance is 157 metres. The footpath has a concrete surface with a minimum width of 1.2metres. There are several passing places and there are long gentle gradients with landings. All gradients have been improved in accordance with national guidance and best practice and are no steeper than 1:12. Manually operated wheelchairs will require assistance. At the viewpoint there is an interpretation panel, bench and wheelchair accessible picnic table overlooking the bay.”

4 Minwear/Sisters’ House (short walk)

Distance/ duration: 3.7 miles (6.0 km) 2 hours

Public transport: Service bus at Canaston Bridge via 1 km woodland walk

Character: Woods, river and fields, can be wet and muddy in places, 0.4 miles (0.7 km) minor

road walking

Look out for: Ruins of Sisters’ House (not open to public) • Minwear Church

• woodland birds and flowers • pockets of native trees eg. oak, ash hazel plus coniferous trees.

Here’s what PCNPA says about the walk: “Just below Canaston Bridge, Blackpool Mill stands on a picturesque reach of the Eastern Cleddau. Before the mill was built in 1813 there was an iron forge on the riverside site that had been there for more than two centuries.

Much of the route passes through Minwear Wood, a large mixed wood of conifers and broad-leaved trees. It is a great place to see woodland birds, including tiny long-tailed tits, great spotted woodpeckers and treecreepers”.

5.Stack Rocks to St Govan’s (wheelchair accessible)

Distance: 3.1 miles (4.9 km)

This walk has stunning views of the sea, cliffs and the landscape further inland.

Public Transport: Coastal Cruiser (wheelchair accessible - runs to

Stack Rocks, only at weekends and bank holidays only)

Character: There is a loose stone military track on limestone cliff. Suitable for all terrain

wheelchairs and robust mobility scooters.

Here’s what PCNPA says about the walk: “Superb path / bridleway 4.9 km with various surfaces. Gradients acceptable (Fieldfare standard); cross fall negligible. Track in most cases not immediate to the cliff but commands fine views over limestone cliff scenery.

Because of variable nature of surface and length involved this stretch may be more suitable for adventure chairs. Users of electric chairs report they have completed the route. Five difficult gates. Even on cool, sunny days the sunburn effect can be serious – sunscreen and water should be

carried. Closed during Army range firing times - usually open evenings and weekends. For firing times tel.

01646 662280. No seats. Toilets at Freshwater West (not nearby) and Bosherston car park..

6. Saundersfoot to Wiseman’s Bridge (wheelchair accessible)

Distance: 0.75 miles (1.2 km)

Public Transport: Service bus, 381 - low floor bus runs into

Saundersfoot only; (wheelchair accessible)

Character: Seaside promenade Surfaced path as cycleway. Route is occasionally closed for cliff stabilisation work.

Here’s what PCNPA says about the walk; “This was once a railway line, initially horse-powered, so no obvious gradient. With exception of tunnels the section from Coppet Hall to Wiseman’s Bridge has uninterrupted views”. Seats at approx 300m east of Coppet Hall; more seats may be provided in future. Toilets can be found at Saundersfoot Harbour (car park charges in season) and at Wiseman’s Bridge. Information Centre at Saundersfoot Harbour SN136048 (car park charge).

Wheelchair 1.225 km.

7. Martin’s Haven towards Gateholm (wheelchair accessible)

Public Transport: Puffin Shuttle (NOT wheelchair accessible)

Character: Field edge path; coastal views Turn left through wicket gate at west end of National Trust car park (parking charge in season). Field edge path. Gradients less than 1 in 20

Here’s what PCNPA says about the walk: “Fine views of Skomer and Skokholm Islands.” Toilets in Marloes.

Easy Access 1.3 km.

8. Goodwick Parrog (West) (short walk)

Distance : 766 yards (700m)

Public transport: Service bus Fishguard, Strumble Shuttle -

NOT wheelchair accessible, Railway terminus at Ferry port

Character: Seafront promenade - no real gradients or cross falls Park on the seafront near the entrance to the ferry terminal. Part pavement, part brick-type surface - no discernible gradient or cross falls.

“The south-east 200m is by a popular water sports area, with seats. The north-western 500m follows the top of the seawall outside the ferry queue compound – no seats.” Toilets are at eastern end of the water sports building.

9. Minwear/Canaston Woods (short walk)

Distance/ duration: 5.1 miles (8.2 km) 2 hours 30 minutes

Public transport: Service bus at Canaston Bridge via 1 km woodland walk 322/381/385

Character: Woodland, reasonably level

Look out for: Blackpool Mill • woodland • river views

The valley of the Eastern Cleddau has been wooded for many centuries. The woodland south of today’s Canaston Bridge was once inside the boundary of the medieval Narberth Forest.

Minwear and Canaston Woods are ancient woodlands, though in the last century fast-growing conifers have replaced some of the oaks. Through most of that time they have been working woods; wood was cut and made into charcoal and pit props, while oak bark would have been gathered – until Victorian times it was used to tan leather.

10. Borough Head Short Walk

Distance: 2.0 miles (3.2 km) out and back

Public transport : *Puffin Shuttle 400 (*seasonal, hail & ride)

Character : Coast path, reasonably easy route

This beautiful rocky coast west of Little Haven makes for lovely clifftop walking, with fantastic views across St Brides Bay to St David’s Head and Ramsey Island

From car park turn left on to Coast Path. It turns on to the road for a short distance, but look for a kissing gate on the right to get off the road again. This walk follows the Coast Path as far as Borough Head (first kissing gate) and then retraces its steps. You can return at any point before though, as the

views are great along the whole length.

There is a bench just over half way to Borough Head - if only walking to the bench, the walk is 11/4 miles (2 km) in total.

11. Lydstep/Skrinkle (gentle stroll)

Distance/ duration : 1.6 miles (2.7 km) 1 hour

Public transportService bus Lydstep village 349/359, holiday park

Character: Level cliff top walking circuit to Lydstep, steep gradients to Skrinkle, livestock

Look out for Cattle (part of coastal grazing scheme) • limestone scenery • caverns • climbers

Caution: Pedestrian access to Skrinkle beach is closed due to cliff instability

This is a lovely walk and beneath and beyond the Lydstep headland lie the famous Lydstep Caverns, which should only be explored at low tide. All the land above the caves and the caves themselves are National Trust property. Fulmars, razorbills and gulls (mostly herring) nest here, with the everpresent jackdaw. Seals may pup in the autumn in the caves and ponies graze the coastal heath.

12. Monk Haven (Wheelchair ’Walk’)

This small sheltered cove, near to the village of St Ishmael, is mostly red sandstone pebbles flanked by low sandstone cliffs.

Distance: 568 yards (520m)

Public transport: Puffin Shuttle (NOT wheelchair accessible)

Characetr: Path through wooded valley to little bay

This is a walk with fine views to Dale Fort and over the Haven. The path follows wooded valley protected from salt spray by an impressive sea wall. The surface here is partly an old stone track, recently improved with rolled stone. Take footpath to coast from small car park near church.

Toilets at St Ishmaels playing field.

13. Haroldston Chins to Broad Haven (Gentle Stroll)

Distance/duration: 1.8 miles (3.0 km) 1 hour each way

Public transport : Service bus Broad Haven 311 (Mon-Sat), *Puffin Shuttle 400 (*seasonal, hail & ride)

Character : Stile-free walk, cliff edge, first 600m fairly level (includes 400m wheelchair path),

then gently undulating for 500m, the path becomes steeper from Black Point to Broad Haven

What the PCNP says: “One of the highlights of this location is that the views can be enjoyed by everyone. Haroldston Chins offers a smooth, purpose-built track from a Blue Badge holder car park (located on the coast road near Druidston).”