Take a trip with us south of Carmarthen to the spectacular scenery of Llansteffan (OS Map reference SN352104) - an area rich in history where you'll be walking in the footsteps of pilgrims.
How long is it? There's a number of walks that you can take once you arrive at the embarkation point - the one that we feature should take between two and three hours.
What will I see? Spectacular views of Carmarthen Bay; evidence of the area's industrial heritage; salt marsh, woodland and grassland habitats; and you might see a range of species, from the common to the very rare.
When should I go? There's a lot to see throughout the year, though we would recommend late Spring, Summer or early Autumn. After heavy rain some of the ground can get quite waterlogged, so keep an eye on the weather and dress appropriately!
The Area
Just a few miles upriver from Llansteffan sits the county town of Carmarthen - one of the oldest towns in Wales. Carmarthen is of Roman origin and sits on one of the key 'Old Pilgrim' routes through Wales. The three estuaries at Llansteffan - the Taf, the Towy and the Gwendraeth, dominate the landscape. Once they were deep enough to allow ships to pass through, but are now heavily silted. All of the 'Three Rivers' area was busy in the Middle Ages, and you can still see some historical signs of industrial activity along the coast.
Llansteffan became a popular holiday destination with the coming of the railway in 1852, and there are several reminders of its presence and influence, from railway banks to ferry-points. Llansteffan castle remains a popular local attraction.
The entire area of Carmarthen bay is a European Special Area of Conservation, and has withstood disasters like the Sea Empress oil spill to remain an area of great natural importance.
Finding your way
Once at Llansteffan, progress along the seafront to the car park at the end, where an information point will help you orient yourself. Our route isn't circular, so bear that in mind when planning. For details on how to get there and to see a map click here.
There are a number of routes open to you, such as a walk that takes you up to Wharley Point where you can enjoy spectacular views of Carmarthen Bay. From there you can walk down the far side of the headland towards Laugharne to the border between the estuary salt marshes and the farmland of Mwche. Although some of the Walks are new, much of the route will take you along paths once used by the industries to which this area was a critical centre.
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Find out more information about coastal, woodland and grassland in our habitats section.
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