'The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path National trail' or as most of us know it, the Pembrokeshire coastal footpath celebrates it's 40th birthday. It's officially forty years since walkers started to explore Pembrokeshire's natural wonders and scenic beauty by following its coastal path Incredibly it stretches for 186 miles, from Amroth in the south to St Dogmael's near Cardigan in the north. Walkers enjoying the coastal path near Skomer Island. Image by Dave Maclachlan - PCNPA: The path was opened in May 1970, after 17 years of preparation to secure a continuous route along the coast, including the installation over 100 bridges and thousands of steps. Since then the CCW and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority have continued to work with local partners to maintain and improve the routes and open them to everyone. Over 400 stiles have been removed in the last 10 years to make the path easier and more accessible which can only be a good thing for walkers. The 42 mile section between Pembroke Dock and Nolton Haven is now stile free! Enjoying the scenery near St Govans. Image by Dave Maclachlan - PCNPA: Don't panic if you're not up to doing the full 186 miles either! You can do it in chunks and hop on the coastal cruiser buses in between so pick and choose your routes. A favourite of is mine is the section between Freshwater East and Barafundle Bay but on a nice sunny day it all looks amazing. The path has recently been voted 'Britain's best coastal path' by the readers of Coast Magazine and around 900,000 people use the routes daily providing a massive boost to the local economy and businesses. Taking in the views at Porth Egr. Image by Dave Maclachlan - PCNPA: Things to look out for whilst walking the trails this summer:
300 million year old rocks and the coloured, textured and patterned cliffs.
Amazing views courtesy of the large headlands and little promontories across wide bays, sandy coves and deep estuaries.
Many species of flowers - including thrift, sea campion, sea plantain, spring squill, bird's foot trefoil, kidney vetch while grasses such as red fescue form a soft springy turf.
Birds including razorbills, guillemots, kittiwakes, fulmars, gulls, shags, cormorants, rare choughs and peregrine falcons.
The tidal mudflats in Angle Bay and Pembroke River host many waders and duck.
There's plenty of history too - old chapels, Iron Age hillforts, Bronze Age burial cairns, Norman castles and Victorian maritime forts.
Find some interesting places to visit in South West Wales on the BBC Wales Nature portal. Use our wildlife guides to spot the bird life. Gull
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