DISTANCE/DURATION: 3.4 miles (5.5 km) 2 hours.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Service bus Marloes 316, *Puffin Shuttle 400 (*seasonal, hail & ride).
CHARACTER: Two stiles on route, easy to moderate, one steep slope, one narrow muddy stream to cross, 1.0 mile (1.7 km) minor road walking.
Start from Martin’s Haven car park. Turn left through the wicket gate at the bottom of the car park and follow the field edge to rejoin the Coast Path after a second gate.
From here to Watery Bay Rath either follow the flat (gradients less than 1 in 25) field edge or the rougher route of the original Coast Path. The seaward route has better views but also some slight gradients.
From here view the islands of Skomer, Midland, Skokholm and Gateholm.
Gradients remain slight until you reach Watery Bay Rath, a Scheduled Ancient Monument. There is a steep slope 1 in 6 for 15m down a narrow muddy stream and a steep slope up 1 in 4 for 8m. Due to the site’s designation no improvement works have been carried out to cross the stream.
At the top of this slope cross over one stile and continue along the field edge to reach a gate adjacent to a stile. Cross the stile or go through the gate and continue along a wide track which is level with flat gradients.
Observe the marshy habitats with a variety of flora and fauna. In wet weather the track is sometimes flooded for 50m or so.
Continue past Marloes Sands Youth Hostel and turn left onto the road walking downhill to return to Martin’s Haven car park. At peak times this road can be very busy.
Find this Walk
Grid ref: SM757089
SAFETY FIRST!
- Take great care when on the Coast Path
- Stay on the path and away from cliff edges
- Wear boots and warm, waterproof clothing
- Take extra care in windy and/or wet conditions
- Always supervise children and dogs
- Leave gates and property as you find them
