St Brides Castle

Wolfscastle walking and hiking route

Start/Car Parking - Substantial lay-by on A40, close to the Nant y Coy Mill, grid reference 958252.

This circular walk starts and finishes at the Nant y Coy Mill, by the side of the A40 Fishguard road, about three quarters of a mile short of Wolfscastle village.

The Treffgarne Gorge, which has the River Western Cleddau, the A40 road and the railway line to Fishguard, is bounded by steep high rock outcrops, cliffs and tors, some of the finest inland scenery of Pembrokeshire.

In the gorge, the historic former woollen mill has been tastefully restored, with water wheel, shop and tea room. A substantial walk in the mill grounds includes a sculpture trail.

The route set out crosses the high ground behind the mill before returning across upland farming country, using lanes and footpaths, all well marked and without difficulty. There are several stiles, but many have been replaced by gates in recent years.

NOTE: The ascent is not including the recommended diversion to the top of the Treffgarne Rocks

Walk Instructions

Facing the mill, set off along the cul de sac road on the left, steeply uphill.

1) As the gradient eases there is a parking area on the right; turn left here along a signposted footpath, rising. At a junction in 30m. go straight ahead (for the diversion to the top of the rocks) or fork right to continue the basic circuit. (For the rocks take a left turn at a signposted cross paths in a short distance. Having explored the area, with prehistoric fortification, high above the gorge, return to the cross paths, go straight across, along a narrow path and join the basic route in 150m turning left towards the great tors of Maiden Castle). On approaching the tors, bear well to the right to head past a waymark on a post to a waymarked little gate. Rise diagonally across a huge meadow, with the tor of Poll Carn to the left.

2) Go over a stile in the top left corner of the meadow and continue to rise, along the left edge of a field. At a gate there are footpaths to left and right; bear left, keeping a fence on the left, still rising. There are long views to the south. After another stile, the highest point of the route is reached; note the pushed-over trig. point on the left. The route now begins to descend.

3) Go through a gate to a farm lane. Turn left, downhill for about 150m to a tarmac road. Turn right, initially uphill, to head for Upper North Hill Farm. As the roadway bends right, then left, to descend to the farm, turn right, through a waymarked gate. (note – the former right of way through the farm, as shown on Ordnance Survey, has been replaced by this diversion).

Proceed along the left edge of the meadow to another waymarked gate, turning left to descend between hedge and fence.

4) Go through gates to cross over a farm trackway at the bottom, bearing left across a meadow after the second gate. After another gate there are bridges across ditches. Follow a waymark to pass through light woodland and cross the Nant y Coy stream on a narrow bridge, now having rejoined the original right of way. At the top edge of the woodland is a little gate, followed by a rise up the left edge of a field, soon becoming a green lane.

5) At a waymarked junction in 250m. turn right, along a similar lane. Stay with this lane for some distance before crossing the access road to South Hill Farm, through gates. A stone-stepped stile continues the route, along the right edge of a meadow. There are two more stiles; after the second bear right in the corner of a field to go over a third stile at once into a meadow. Head diagonally left towards a clump of gorse, crowning an ancient earthwork. Pass through the gorse to descend to a farm track. Bear right to descend towards West Ford Farm. At the farm follow the waymarks round the back of the buildings.

6) Follow the farm access road down to the A40 main road. Turn right to return to the parking area and the mill.

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.