We Must Be Mad: Day 58: Strumble Head to Trefin

The lighthouse at Strumble Head stayed in view for a long time as we made our way southwards towards Trefin. The cliffs along this section of the walk were rugged as the volcanic rock of the headland continues to be exposed to the elements. We crossed the heather covered knolls of Carn Melyn before climbing to a cairn marking the high point near Pen Brush.

Looking north towards lighthouse on Strumble Head

Looking south across Carn Melyn towards Penbwchdy

We then skirted around the savage basin of Porth Maenmelyn towards the headland spur of Dinas Mawr where the crag is ringed by an Iron Age rampart and surrounded by a collection of rocky islands.

Porth Maenmelyn with Garn Fawr rising in the background

Porth Maenmelyn

Dinas Mawr towards centre

We were intrigued by some old abandoned brick buildings which were located just off the path. On researching these we found out that this was the site of a WWII radar station that formed part of the Chain Home Low network, specifically designed to detect low flying aircraft.The station became operational in early 1940 providing cover over Cardigan Bay and the southern Irish Sea, and was decommissioned in June 1946.

Old WWII radar station near Porth Maenmelyn

The cliffs along this section changed character as the igneous rock was replaced by slate and mudstone.

Looking south towards headland at Penbwchdy

Path crossing the rear of the headland at Trwyn Llwyd

The path made its way along these cliff tops to Aber Bach and then up over a small headland to Aber Mawr. These two neighbouring beaches are both backed by pebble banks to the rear of the beach which have blocked off the valleys behind creating areas of marshland.

Aber Bach beach

Aber Mawr beach

The path then continued past a walled headland fort at Castell Coch before rounding the headland at Trwyn Llwynog as the cliffs steepened. The broad bay here was fringed by dramatic shoreline castellations with knife edge slated ridges and triangular stacks continuing all the way to Abercastle.

Coastline as we approach Abercastle and Ynys y Castell

Ruined grain store and boats at Abercastle

Beyond Abercastle we detoured of the track to visit Carreg Samson, one of the finest Neolithic dolmen in the country. According to legend, St Samson lifted the massive capstone into place with just one finger!