Cwmtydu and Cwm Soden Coastal Circuit
Ceredigion
Cwmtydu is a small shingle cove on the Ceredigion Heritage Coast between Llangrannog and New Quay, once used by smugglers, with an old limekiln by the shore and caves in its folded rocks where grey seals haul out, so dogs stay on the lead near the water. The National Trust owns this whole stretch of coast and manages it for wildlife, with Welsh mountain ponies grazing the cliffs to keep the turf short for choughs. This 4.8km circuit follows the Trust's butterfly walk: a steep zigzag up from the cove onto the coast path, past the ramparts of Castell Bach Iron Age hillfort, then down to the storm beach and footbridge at the mouth of the Afon Soden. It returns inland through flowery meadows, a wooded lane and field edges to rejoin the cliffs above Castell Bach. The NT describes it as mainly gentle slopes on unsurfaced footpaths, with one short steep section at the start and a long, steady climb later.
This is a dog friendly walk, and the National Trust welcomes dogs on leads here. The lead matters: ponies live on the cliffs, cattle graze the meadows inland, and the coast path runs along steep, unfenced slopes above the sea. The stream at Cwm Soden and the Nant Soden valley give water and a little shade, and the route uses kissing gates and field gates. Parking at Cwmtydu is limited and is not run by the Trust, and there are public toilets at the cove.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.8 km (3.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Public toilets at Cwmtydu. Pubs and cafes in New Quay and Llangrannog.
- Parking
- Small car park behind the beach at Cwmtydu, not National Trust, limited spaces.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Cwmtydu and Cwm Soden Coastal Circuit, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in CeredigionFrequently Asked Questions
Is Cwmtydu and Cwm Soden Coastal Circuit dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The National Trust welcomes dogs on leads on this walk, and it packs a lot into under five kilometres: cliffs, a seal cove, a hillfort, a stream and wildflower meadows. The score reflects that dogs need to stay on a lead throughout, because of the ponies on the cliffs, the cattle in the meadows and the steep, unfenced slopes.
Can dogs be off lead at Cwmtydu and Cwm Soden Coastal Circuit?
No, this is a lead walk. The National Trust asks for dogs on leads, Welsh mountain ponies graze the cliff slopes to manage the grassland for choughs, and cattle graze the meadows on the inland return. The coast path also runs along steep slopes above the sea with no fencing, so even a dog with good recall is safer on a lead here.
What should I know before visiting Cwmtydu and Cwm Soden Coastal Circuit with my dog?
Parking at Cwmtydu is limited and not run by the National Trust, so arrive early in summer, and the lanes in are narrow. There are public toilets at the cove. The climb out of Cwmtydu is short but steep, and the paths are unsurfaced and slippery after rain. The Afon Soden gives your dog a drink halfway, but carry water on a hot day.
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