Broad Haven Walk

Although there may be some mud on the woodland path, the walking is easy, with no steep or prolonged ascents.

Broad Haven is understandably popular, a wide bay de ned by cliffs either side with an excellent sandy beach.There is a general store, beach shops, inn and café. Haroldston West is an ancient settlement, a tiny hamlet with a church much refurbished late in the 19th century.

Look for a signpost near the top left corner of the car park, pointing the way along a path between the main Youth Hostel on the left and the Youth Hostel lab on the right.

1. Start along this path, passing the coastguard rescue station on the left. Bear left at another signpost. Pass an access to a static caravan site, go through metal gate. Do not cross a bridge on the left but go through a waymarked kissing gate to continue, with the stream on the left.

The path follows the wooded valley, soon crossing the stream on a footbridge before rising steadily up the valley side. The woodland is very natural, with a good range of deciduous trees and abundant wild flowers, including bluebells and primroses in Spring. There are occasional mud patches along the way and marshy areas rich in irises. Ignore a signposted left turn near the valley head, continuing along the main path, soon passing Timber Hill Holiday Chalets to the right.

2. At a ‘T’ junction just before Haroldston West Church turn left to go past a gate post and join a minor road. Turn right, passing a road junction and the entrance to Haroldston Farm Holiday Cottages. Walk by the roadside for less than half a mile to the next junction.

3. Turn left for Druidston Haven along a cycle route, to follow an even more minor road, soon with views over St. Bride’s Bay. Go round a sharp right bend to reach a small car park provided for the disabled, with a ‘Haroldston Chin’ sign. Turn left, through a gate to take a tarmac surfaced footpath towards the sea. In a short distance join the coast path on the left. There are seats provided for enjoyment of the splendid views.
Alternatively, you could keep straight on the road for Druidston Hotel, which is open to non residents for light refreshments, and then rejoin the Coastal Path to walk back

4. Turn left; the path is tarmac surfaced for a few hundred metres. Follow the path; there are occasional gates and, possibly, grazing horse along the way. At
a signposted junction continue along the coast path, soon reaching outlying dwellings of Broad Haven. The descent is quite prolonged but well graded, close to a road for some distance. Join the road, descend to cross the bridge and turn left along a footway into the car park, passing the public toilets.