St Brides Castle

Solva walking and hiking route

Start/Car Parking - Public car park, with toilets, behind the harbour in Solva, grid reference 807243.

Solva is one of the most attractive coastal settlements in Pembrokeshire, an old port and village clustered in a deep, narrow, valley behind its sheltered harbour.

The route set out below starts and finishes by climbing over the Gribin – a most unusual narrow promontory which juts out towards the sea, providing shelter for the harbour. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path and an excellent inland route, passing a Neolithic burial chamber, complete the circuit.

There are a few stiles and a potentially muddy section; the two ascents of the Gribin are quite demanding.

Walk Instructions

From the car park cross the footbridge over the river and start the ascent of the Gribin at once, at a ‘coast path' signpost. There are steps and a National Trust ‘Gribin Point' sign. A well-used path climbs steadily up the side of the promontory.

1) At a fork keep left, still rising; as height is gained the views over Solva and its harbour improve progressively. At the top, continue along the ridge, heading for the sea.

2) At a waymark on a post bear left to descend from the Gribin on a steep, narrow path, heading for the back of a little cove, with tiny sand beach. Go through a kissing gate and cross a bridge over the stream.

3) After crossing the back of the shingle rise steadily up the far side of the valley, bearing left near the top to head for a waymarked post visible on the skyline. The coast path continues over grass to another waymarked post. Go through a gate before rising again, with St. Elvis Farm to the left. Continue along the coast path, always obvious and with the occasional short cut available.

4) At a signposted gate turn left, then right to walk along the edge of a meadow, with a fence on the left. Follow more waymarks – right for 30m. then left to reach a gate and a signpost. Bear left along a good track between hedges. At a junction ignore the way-mark leading into a field on the right, bearing left along a sunken lane, rising gently.

5) At the T-Junction with a lane, turn left to Lochvane Hamlet. Take footpath after the last house on the left and continue along another track between hedges, eventually reaching a field and then a cart track to go down to St Elvis Farm. Go round to the left before the farm buildings to reach a footpath signed Solva, near some rocks.

6) Follow the signs to Solva, descending through woods to cross a stream, then up the Gribin and down the other side to the village.

Disclaimer: This route was correct at time of writing. However, alterations can happen if development or boundary changes occur, and there is no guarantee of permanent access. These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that neither HPB Management Limited nor any other person connected with Holiday Property Bond is responsible for the safety or wellbeing of those following the routes as described. It is walkers' own responsibility to be adequately prepared and equipped for the ‎level of walk and the weather conditions and to assess the safety and accessibility of the walk.