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Pembrokeshire Coast Walking Weekend - Pwll Deri

An exhilarating weekend of sociable, guided walking and memory making along Pembrokeshire’s breathtaking coastline.

Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Hostel
Group Size: Maximum 22
Level: Leisurely and Active (subject to participant numbers)
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

In a Nutshell:

Explore the glorious Pembrokeshire coastline on two days of guided walks, with accommodation and meals included.
Find hidden bays and secluded coves, watch the sea crash against the cliffs, and paddle in the warm surf.
Enjoy getting to know a friendly group of fellow walkers over freshly prepared food in the evenings and during glorious walks.
Relax in this superb clifftop accommodation with stunning sea views.

How do we grade our walks?

Explore our experience levels here!

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

You’re welcome to arrive at the hostel any time after 5pm, where your Large Outdoors host will be on hand to get you settled in. We predict you’ll immediately fall in love with the location, and it’s well worth taking a short stroll outside to admire the coast that’s only metres away!

We’ll have dinner at around 8pm, so let us know if you plan to arrive after that. After dinner we’ll run through some plans for the weekend to get the most out of our three days of walking, and then the evening is yours to get to know the rest of the group, sit back with a mug of tea, or watch the sunset from the lounge or out on the cliffs!

Day 2

After breakfast and time to make packed lunches we’ll head out on a guided walk, which will include plenty of time to stop and enjoy the scenery, and perhaps even a splash around in the sea. We have the whole coast to choose from but we’ll make the most of the fantastic scenery right outside our door. Walk options include:

Strumble Head - Walking right from our hostel door, we’ll turn north and follow the coastline to the headland of Strumble Head. We’ll pass cliffs, tiny offshore rocks that break the surface of the bays, and the island of Carreg Onnen. Turning east with the coast and following the cliffs, we’ll pass Carregwasted point, where the French landed in 1797, before reaching the village of Goodwick. From here we head inland, following tracks back to the hostel over small hills to get a great view of where we’ve just walked. We finish with a short climb up to the Iron Age hill-fort, which lies on the hill just behind the hostel.

South to Aber Mawr - Turning south out of the hostel takes us along yet more dramatic coastal path, where we can drink in the views west across St George’s Channel to Ireland. We’ll make our way to the sandy beach of Aber Mawr, where the brave can have a dip in the sea and the not-so-brave can explore the sands and eat sandwiches. From here we can continue south to the hill-fort at Castell Coch and perhaps even the pub in Trefin.

St David’s Head - If we feel like exploring a little further afield then a great location would be a short way down the coast near St David’s. We can explore the rocky promontory of St David’s Head with its ancient settlements, walk the sands of Whitesands Bay, and gaze across at the bird sanctuary of Ramsay Island, all on a coastal walk around this jutting peninsula. We can even visit St David’s itself, Britain’s smallest city, or if the time is right head across to Ramsey Island itself for a walk.

Once we’ve returned to the hostel for the evening the Large Outdoors host will get on with preparing the evening meal. This is your opportunity to relax, enjoy a drink in the comfort of the lounge, or just stare out to sea with a mug of hot tea, reliving the adventures of the day!

Day 3

Once we’ve finished breakfast we’ll pack up our belongings and check out of the hostel.

Then it’s time to explore more of this wonderful area and the coastal scenery. Today’s walk will be shorter, but just as rewarding in terms of fresh air and great views. After the walk today you may like to find a local pub for a final meal or a tearoom for a goodbye cuppa with your fellow participants, before heading home.

Please note: on some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share. Please bring some change and a card with you too, as we may be making use of the local bus and bus fares are not included.

Good to Know

Meeting Time: from 5pm
You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.
Meeting Location:
YHA Pwll Deri
Castell Mawr
Trefasser
Goodwick
SA64 0LR
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Parking: There is limited free parking at the hostel.
Public Transport: YHA Pwll Deri is located 4.6 miles from Fishguard Train Station, with services to/from Cardiff Central and Swansea.
Please Note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.
Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.
We’ll stay at YHA Pwll Deri hostel on this Pembrokeshire Coast Walking Weekend. It’s a proper remote retreat, perched high above Pwll Deri Bay and offering spectacular sea views from floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining area. The accommodation also offers a cosy lounge area with open fire.
Bedding is provided - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.
Accommodation Address:
YHA Pwll Deri
Castell Mawr
Trefasser
Goodwick
SA64 0LR
Room Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Bed in a Shared Female Room
Bed in a Shared Male Room
Twin Room (bunk beds, en-suite)
At this hostel there are primarily Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are en-suite). There are also some Twin Rooms - with bunk beds - which sleep up to two participants booking together (bathrooms are en-suite).
Included:
- 2 nights’ accommodation in the cosy, cliff-top Pwll Deri hostel.
- A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.
- Guided walks on two days (Day 2 and Day 3).
- Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on both evenings.
- A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).
- A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2’s walk. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.
- Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.
- Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.
- The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
- Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not Included:
- Travel to and from the meeting location.
- Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share. Please bring some change and a card with you too, as we may be making use of the local bus and bus fares are not included.
- Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.
- Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation.
- Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
- Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed.
• What level of fitness is needed?
This trip is graded as Leisurely and Active, as we hope to have a choice of walks on offer, subject to participant numbers. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.
• Can I attend on my own?
Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.
• I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.
• What transport is provided during this experience?
We do not provide any transport for this experience. On some days there could be a short drive required to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the accommodation - participants normally car share. Please bring some change and a card with you too, as we may be making use of the local bus and bus fares are not included.
• Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.
As the only National Park in the UK that was created purely for its coastline, you can tell that our Pembrokeshire Walking Weekend is special. The peninsula that hosts this glorious coastline juts out into the Irish Sea, forming the most westerly point in Wales, and containing stretches of coast that face north, west and south. The entire coastline is walkable via the Pembrokeshire Coast National Trail, and walkers will be spoilt for choice with views of cliffs, rock formations including natural arches and caves, sandy beaches, inland woods and wild hills.
The western coast centres around St Bride’s Bay, where there is good surfing, as well as the internationally important bird sanctuary of Skomer Island. Aside from natural wonders, evidence can be seen of life here dating back thousands of years, including Neolithic standing stones and Iron Age hill-forts. These can easily be explored via numerous inland paths that help create circular routes out of the more famous coastal trail.
“The hostel was very good and had amazing views, right on the coast path. Our host was excellent and both he and our guide were great, very knowledgeable.” - Verified guest, October 2021
“"This was a great weekend: The location is stunning and the site of the hostel is simply beautiful. The set of people are what really made this trip very special - we all got on so well and had the best time - already planning our next Large Outdoors get together. Our host was first-rate and our guide was a great walk leader." - Deborah, October 2021
“The location was superb. The leaders were very dedicated to our needs and looked after us really well both in the centre and out on the walks - they went over and above all expectations. The group number was ideal for space and interaction.” - Freda, October 2021
“Stunning location of accommodation. Plenty of good quality food, excellent host and walking guide.” - Verified guest, October 2021
“The views are excellent also the guide was helpful and great at his job. The views were fantastic from the Accommodation. I loved meeting new people, plus the food was delicious. I would recommend everyone to go to Pembrokeshire!” - Jacqueline, March 2022
“"Lovely location of accommodation - very clean and great sea views. Our host was very good, well-organised, cooked us delicious meals and led us on good walks.” - Verified guest, March 2022
“The walks were fabulous and our guide was brilliant. Good company, knowledgeable, and looked after us all very well!” - Elinor, May 2022