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St Davids Head and Carn Llidi Walk from Porth Mawr / Whitesands Beach

By Dave Roberts   

on June 17, 2020    5/5 (2)

Posted as a walk in – Europe, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales

St Davids Head and Carn Llidi Walk from Porth Mawr / Whitesands Beach

Route Essentials

Route Summary

A short walk to St David’s Head and Carn Llidi from near Tyddewi/St David’s in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

7.46 km

Ascent

301 m

Time

2 hours 30 minutes

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Porth Mawr / Whitesands Beach near Tyddewi / St David's

Difficulty

Moderate Walk

Hazards

Weather Forecast:

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

St Davids Head and Carn Llidi Walk from Porth Mawr / Whitesands Beach Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

St Davids Head and Carn Llidi Walk from Porth Mawr / Whitesands Beach

This circular walk to Penmaen Dewi / St David’s Head from Porth Mawr / Whitesands Beach near Tyddewi / St David’s is a mere taster of what the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has to offer the walker. With caves, cliffs, history and coastal hills to explore on the way, this is a short walk that’s full of interest.

The walk starts at the National Trust car park at Porth Mawr / Whitesands Beach which is a couple of kilometres from the city of Tyddewi / St David’s. Starting the walk from Tyddewi / St David’s will add around 4km of walking on narrow country lanes that could be busy with tourists heading for the beach in the high season. Setting off on the clifftops above the beach, the walk heads past the headland of Trwynhwrddyn (worth a diversion if time permits) and the nearby bay of Porth Lleuog before heading inland towards Can Llidi.

Whitesands Bay Panoramic view of Whitesands Bay
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path near Porth Creigwyr
Ramsey From Carn Llidi With Whitesands in the left of the photo
Coetan Arthur Coetan Arthur – St.Davids Head

The walk climbs slightly, but only contours around the base of Carn Llidi. It’s well worth taking the path from SM 735 276 to the summit, after which you’ll need to retrace your steps back to the start of the climb. While adding relatively little to the overall effort on this walk, it will reward you with an extraordinary view in all directions.

From here, the route contours around the northern slopes of Carn Llidi before joining the Wales Coast Path / Pembrokeshire Coast Path at the cove of Dar y Cadno. A walk along a low coastal ridge follows, culminating in a high point of just under 80m above Carn Porth-llong, before descending to the burial chamber at Coetan Arthur. The final section returns via the secluded cove at Portmelgan, perhaps an ideal spot to take in the surf for an hour or two before the walk finishes back at the busier beach at Porth Mawr.

St Davids Head and Carn Llidi Walk from Porth Mawr / Whitesands Beach
Porthmelgan

More information is available on the National Trust website.

Featured Image Photo by Odd Wellies on Foter.com / CC BY

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

A short walk to St David’s Head and Carn Llidi from near Tyddewi/St David’s in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Route Start Location: Porth Mawr / Whitesands Beach near Tyddewi / St David's

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
7.46 km 301 m 2 hours 30 minutes

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Moderate Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

There’s a toilet, shop and cafe at the start of the walk. Those looking to stay in the area are spoilt for choice regarding accommodation. The nearby city of Tyddewi/St David’s has a good choice of pubs and cafes.

Hazards

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking :

Parking available at the start – note that the area is VERY popular with tourists.

Public Transport:

The Celtic Coaster shuttle bus runs from St David’s to Whitesands beach from April to September.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

More Posts by Dave Roberts

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