Day 75: Bosherston to Freshwater East

It was another damp start to the day as we made our way back to Bosherston Lakes. Being a wet morning there were few people around, so we were ever hopeful of seeing an. We have been fortunate on this trip to see a couple of foxes as well as two badgers however catching a glimpse of an otters has continued to elude us. Alas, this morning was to be no different although we did enjoy the walk around the other side of the lilyponds at Bosherston.

Weir across the lilyponds at Bosherston Lake

Overlooking Bosherston Lake

At the coast we climbed the headland known as Saddle Point with views out to the twisted steeple of Church Rock.

View of Broad Haven Beach from Saddle Point

The path weaved around a number of gaping hollows to reach the vertical limestone faces on Stackpole Head. 

Cliffs at Ramming Hole

Sheer cliffs at Ramming Hole

Limestone stack at Stackpole Head

Stackpole Head

Cliffs between Stackpole Head and Saddle Point

Sheltered in the lee of Stackpole Head was Barafundle Bay, a photogenic haven of pristine bright sand.

Barafundle Bay

On the far side of Barafundle Bay, the path climbed up some steep steps and through an arch in the wall of Stackpole Deer Park before crossing the last limestone headland before sandstone cliffs reasserted themselves at Stackpole Quay. The quay was built for the Stackpole estate to bring coal ashore and ship out limestone.

The mist descends on the path to Stackpole Quay

A busy Stackpole Quay

The path then followed the shore climbing steadily above the red rocks, whose twisted faces formed a complicated pattern of slopes beyond the Iron Age fort on Greenala Point.

Looking out towards Greenala Point in the far distance

Sandstone cliffs

Greenala Point with its Iron Age fort

Twisted faces in the sandsstone cliffs

Eventually the path descended through the fog towards the back of Freshwater East, a lovely expanse of sand surrounded by holiday parks.

The mist descends on Freshwater East

The completion of this section of the path also marked the conclusion of Stage 6 of our journey around the Wales Coast – The Pembrokeshire Coast Path. This section of the coast covered a total distance of 291 kilometres with an overall height gain of 6520 metres. We found this section of our walk challenging as it seemed to take forever to complete given the number of estuaries and inlets we had to traverse. In addition, the weather was less accommodating as it had been up to now and we are both starting to suffer with fatigue and sore bodies (not surprising given that we have walked over 1,000 kilometres).