The stretch between Green Bridge of Wales and St Govan’s Chapel is spectacular. It is just over three miles each way and provides some of the best views around.
The walk takes place on the Castlemartin MOD firing range and so make sure to check online whether or not the path is open before you plan a trip there. Dates can be found for weeks in advance on the official site: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/castlemartin-firing-notice–2
There are no toilets at the car park (or on the walk), so you could take a quick diversion to Bosherston car park as there are free public toilets there.
It’s easy to find- Follow signs to Castlemartin and when you drive past the firing range, you will see signs for Green Bridge of Wales. Take a left turn and head down the narrow road until you see a chapel, then carry on another mile where you will find a car park.
If you are only wanting to see the Green Bridge of Wales, take a right as soon as you walk out of the car park. Within two minutes you will arrive and the views are amazing.
There is a viewing platform that makes for the perfect selfie location with the best background. This is a dramatic example of the shapes that can be formed as the sea erodes the limestone cliffs. Here, two caves have joined to form a huge natural arch – 24m high and 20m wide. This process is still going on – a chunk was lost during Storm Ophelia in October 2017. The grass growing along the top of the arch gives it its name.
Another short walk from the car park (to the left) and you will arrive at Stack Rocks (also known as the Elegug Stacks). These are also the result of cliff erosion and show you what the Green Bridge might look like in the future!
This is a great place for birdwatchers as guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes love these pillars of rock as they provide a safe place to nest.
There are so many beautiful spots for you to see on your walk, so however far you walk, we are sure you will see some great scenery. Make sure to stay safe and stick to the paths. Don’t worry about getting lost, the main path is obvious throughout the walk and there are plenty of side paths so you can be safe and see it all.
The next famous spot you will come to is the Cauldron. This is also a feature created by the erosion of the limestone cliffs and is a huge shaft some 45 m deep and up to 55 m across created by a number of blowholes joining together. In time, more rock will be lost and then it will become a bridge or stacks even larger and more dramatic than Stack Rocks or the Green Bridge of Wales.
Carry along the coastal path to Bullslaughter Bay.
This – despite its rather gory name – is a lovely little bay and one of the few sandy beaches on this stretch of the coast – and then, only at low tide. So a great place to stop off for a paddle if you are passing when the tide is out. No-one seems to know the origin of the name but this was a favourite place for smugglers in the eighteenth century!
Keep an eye out for a spot to have your picnic (make sure to take plenty of water with you if it’s a hot day!)- there are no bins on the walk so remember to take your litter with you.
A few minutes before you arrive at St Govan’s Chapel, you will see Huntman’s Leap on your right. This spectacular feature is known as a coastal chasm and is the result of erosion along a fault in the rocks. The name comes from a local legend that a hunter on horseback jumped the chasm and on looking back and realising what he had done died of shock!
Carry on for a few more minutes and you will arrive at St Govan’s. There is a car park here which sometimes has an ice cream van in (it’s cash only!). Take a right once you go through the gate and you will see some steps leading down to St Govan’s Chapel.
The myth is that you can’t count the number of steps and they are always different when you go up from when you went down. Make sure to try this out when you visit!
The Chapel is spectacular and once you walk through it, you arrive on a secluded beach with the most fabulous views. This is often deserted which makes it even more special and peaceful.
The chapel has been there since at least the thirteenth century but parts of it may be much older and date to the sixth century when St Govan, a hermit monk, lived in a cave at this spot. He certainly found a lonely and beautiful place to pray and contemplate.
The walk back to the top is steep- make sure to reward yourself with ice cream.
Head back along the route back and see the views from a new angle. If you don’t fancy walking the whole way, then you can park at this car park. It is also the car park to Broad Haven South, so you can enjoy a trip to the beach too!
We are sure you will have a great time. Tag us in any photos you take of the route, we love to see your days out in West Wales.