Fishguard - 18 December 2021
9 miles
For once, the weather was just about perfect when 19 ramblers met at the harbour car park in Lower Town, Fishguard. It was a crisp December morning with not a cloud in sight.
The riverside path, as all paths today, remained wet and muddy though out. The path initially climbed steeply up to the town. We then kept socially distanced, as we threaded our way through the back streets of Fishguard for about 15 minutes. This was only way to pick up the track through the fields, heading south towards Scleddau. This track would reach the highest point we would be at on today’s walk. There were clear views across to Strumble Head from this point.
On reaching the lane at the end of the track, we turned left to the stables at Coedrwm and entered the wet and boggy lane that led to the top of Esgyrn Bottom. The fields can normally be used to bypass this waterlogged lane, but today, the resident frisky horses put an end to that plan.
Esgyrn Bottom, a raised bog and part of a glacial meltwater channel, is accessed at the bottom of the hill by a nearly 7 foot tall, alpaca proof gate. There are 4 of these gates along this path and they must be some of the more unusual gates in Pembrokeshire. The path along Esgryn Bottom, that ran alongside the bog was relatively dry compared to the first section, in the woods, that was in places, ankle deep in water.
Just after 4 miles into the walk and approaching the farm at Llanwern, we stopped for lunch in a copse of trees. This was the furthest west on today’s walk. After lunch it was a short climb out of the valley to the fields before dropping down to pick up the detour around the house at Criney Bridge. We passed the house and stables at Ty Hen as we dropped into Cwm Gwaun and crossed the river at the first foot bridge crossing from Fishguard.
Turning left on the north bank of the Afon Gwaun, it was a steady climb up to the track at Tre-llan Farm. This track being part of an ancient lane running from Fishguard to Llanychaer. Heading west along this lovely path we passed the hamlet of Cilsiafe to reach the A40. There were fabulous views across Fishguard Harbour to Goodwick.
The group crossed the road and headed up the lane to Castell Farm, a former National Trust holiday home, which has stunning sea and coastal views. A path just to the side of Castell Farm runs around the circumference of Carn Fran and then over a well-maintained boundary wall using solid, rock steps built into the wall. Crossing a field, the group safely negotiated the A40 for the second time and picked up the old track at Cilsiafe again to head back towards Lower Town. This suitably old green lane led to the old steep road that drops back down into the car park and is a pleasing end to the walk.
The lovely little Ship Inn in Lower Town was able to accommodate us for after walk drinks.
