Travel report: Hiking trip in Wales
From our guests Ursa and Lothar
Ursa and Lothar are the parents of our employee Nele. Although they are big individualists, they booked a package holiday with us. As they were able to customize it according to their wishes, it immediately felt a little more individual. They spent two weeks on the hiking trip in wild and romantic Wales. In their travelogue, they rave about the great weather, impressive landscapes, and cozy places. They got to know and love the unbridled hospitality of the Welsh. There, hikers who arrive with a half-detached shoe sole are driven from the port to their accommodation in a private car without hesitation! It is also a matter of course that the shoe is provisionally glued overnight by the hosts so that they can continue the next day. Read more about the great time in Wales in this travel report.
Show more Show lessFrom Ursa and Lothar:
We are Lothar and Ursa and if you're a big individualist like the two of us, traveling with a tour operator is an adventure. We've never dared to do that before. For the very first time, we decided to book a vacation with a tour operator: Radweg-Reisen.com. We decide on "Coastal hiking in wild and romantic Wales "* and want to change things right away. For us, 6 days is too short, we would like to hike for at least 14 days. We are pleasantly surprised when this is no problem at all and can now specify the number of hiking and rest days and the route. Being able to have a say in this makes the beginning very interesting and motivates us. We ended up booking a 14-night hiking trip from Dale to Newport / Pembrokeshire in April 2017.
Bike Trail Travel provided us with a detailed and very accurate guidebook for the hike and a precise description of the accommodation. Everything was very well prepared. This made us feel really comfortable.
*This trip is no longer available, but we invite you to discover one of our exciting alternatives:
Day 1: Arrival in Dale, hike around the St. Ann's peninsula approx. 9 km
We organize the journey ourselves with a direct flight to Cardiff. By train and bus, we arrive at our first accommodation in Dale at lunchtime without any problems. We got to know the friendliness of the Welsh people on the train and bus between the airport and Dale. A pleasant start.
The accommodation is a beautiful old house dating back to 1750 and is furnished in the same way. Almost like a museum, except you can touch everything. Very lively. We almost felt like we were in a fairy tale. Our hosts are very open and friendly, we are immediately in contact. Crazy as we are, we hike the St. Ann's peninsula in the afternoon. Here we get our first impressive impressions: Yellow blooming, fragrant gorse, blue sky, sunshine, steep cliffs, vast sea. Our hosts have booked us into the local restaurant for dinner that evening. We are happily awaited there.
Day 2: From Dale to Marloes, approx. 13 km
On our hike along the coast, we are practically all alone on this first day of hiking. This allows us to take in the many new impressions with all our senses. Cliffs and pastures, animals and plants, scents and sounds, the sea and the wind. What a pleasure. We have the feeling of constantly recharging our batteries.
In the afternoon, we reach Marloes and our accommodation, where we are once again eagerly awaited. The luggage transport worked wonderfully (as it did during the entire trip, by the way), so we can retire to our room with our luggage and relax a little.
Day 3: Marloes - Skomer Island - Marloes, approx. 10 km in total
After a fantastic breakfast, our host drives us to Martins Haven. From there, we set sail on a small boat to spend the day on the island of Skomer. The island is a nature reserve.
Only birds, rabbits and seals live on this island and we are allowed to be guests. After receiving an introduction from conservationists on site, we hike around this beautiful island. We have plenty of time to observe countless birds and animals. The boat takes us back and we walk from Martins Haven to Marloes.
Day 4: Marloes to Broad Haven, approx. 14 km
Wonderful weather (with the risk and experience of sunburn), a wonderful coastal path. An ancient enchanted forest along the way, again hardly any other hikers on the way. What happiness and pleasure for us. We relax and our souls feel incredibly good. Another feel-good bed and breakfast is booked for us in Broad Haven, with very friendly hosts right by the sea.
Day 5: Broad Haven to Solva, approx. 18 km
A long but impressively beautiful hike with deserted bays and beaches to dream and dive into. The worst hiking accident happens on the way: The sole of Lothar's hiking boot comes off! Nevertheless, we make it to Solva safely. He walks very carefully and uses the walking poles. There we are met with unbridled helpfulness: the parking attendant from the harbor drives us to our accommodation in the village in his small car, the host from the bed and breakfast glues the soles overnight so that they can last until St. David's.
We go to dinner in flip-flops. As usual, we go to the local pub and are extremely satisfied. It tastes very, very delicious.
Day 6: Solva to St. David's, approx. 10 km
This is more of a shorter hike, again along the beautiful coastline. The start of the Easter vacation is noticeable as we meet a few more hikers than usual. We have some nice and friendly conversations along the way. The wish is always: "A safe trip for you."
St. David's, the smallest town in the UK, is waiting to be conquered by us.
Day 7 and Day 8: St. David's and St. David's Peninsula, approx. 14 km
St. David's is a charming little town with a beautiful cathedral that is well worth seeing. The church was built in a hollow to protect it from Viking raids.
We also use the time in St. David's to buy Lothar new hiking boots. To rest, enjoy a leisurely and delicious meal, get to know more Welsh people and hike a little in the surrounding area (St. David's Peninsula). For us, it's all touching and the weather is always really good. It's hard to believe.
Day 9: St. David's (from White Sand's Bay) to Trefin, approx. 18 km
We take the bus to the starting point for this day. This hiking day is strenuous and a little demanding, but again with the best weather and the most beautiful landscape and nature. We enjoy wonderful views and stop for a delicious cream tea in Porthgain. Tea with freshly baked scones, cream and jam. Porthgain is a tiny harbor on our hiking trail.
When we reach Trefin, we feel like we've been transported back in time. What a beautiful and peaceful place, nice houses, beautiful gardens and a lively pub. Everything your heart desires. Our hosts Vivienne and Chris are incredibly friendly and exude an open and warm atmosphere.
Day 10: Trefin to Llanwnda approx. 23 km
This is now the longest and most challenging hiking day of our trip, but once again incredibly beautiful. The weather is perfect, the most beautiful viewpoints, deep gorges, and spectacular coastline. We are simply overwhelmed. Llanwnda is a tiny little village without a store or pub but with lovely and special inhabitants.
Our hosts cook for us. After we have showered and recovered a little, we are served a delicious meal.
Day 11: Llanwnda to Fishguard, approx. 8 to 10 km
After visiting the Neolithic site above our accommodation, we continue on to Fishguard. In view of the last, somewhat more strenuous hikes, this is a short, easy walk. The only difficulties are a few large muddy patches that have to be negotiated. So nothing of significance. The view, however, is still stunningly beautiful.
In Fishguard, our accommodation is once again excellent. An old house, modern and furnished with antiques, lovingly run by a young, friendly family. Very suitable for feeling at home.
Day 12: Fishguard
We took a day out for Fishguard. Time for: A bit of history - the last invasion is documented everywhere (over 200 years ago, the French wanted to introduce the revolution), the local farmers' market with a brass band concert, the old and original part of Fishguard and the small harbor.
It's the only day of the entire trip that we take our raincoat out of our rucksack! But only for a 10-minute shower.
Day 13: Fishguard to Newport, approx. 18 to 20 km
This is now the last hike of our trip. What a shame. With the overwhelming beauty of the coastal path, it would be easy to just keep walking... Although it looks like it will be for a long time, it doesn't rain today either and we enjoy the coast almost all to ourselves once again. We take in the ups and downs, the wind, the steep cliffs, the vegetation and the sea, the countless birds that accompany us, so that we can enjoy it for as long as possible.
Newport is a small and lively town with a small castle and Welsh tourists. It's Easter Sunday.
Day 14 and Day 15: Chilling out in Newport and our own departure to Cardiff
Today, Easter Monday, there is a small farmers' market in Newport and we visit the charming doll's house museum. Otherwise, we say goodbye to the sea and the coast.
The next day, we travel back to Cardiff by bus and train without any problems. We explore the city on our own and after a night in a hostel, we board our flight back to Germany.
Our conclusion
How good that we dared to go! It was a successful, very special trip, just the way we wanted it. Everything worked wonderfully and went smoothly. Even the things we couldn't influence, such as the weather, the landscape, the unique friendliness of the people from Wales, the delicious food and the luggage transportation were perfect. This trip will certainly remain unforgettable for us.
A big compliment and thank you to Radweg-Reisen. We will certainly travel with you again and enjoy it.
