Pembrey Forest Pines and Shells Trail
Carmarthenshire
Pembrey Forest is a huge pine forest planted on the sand dunes behind Cefn Sidan between 1929 and 1954, one of Britain's rare sand dune forests, and it sits alongside the 500 acres of Pembrey Country Park. Natural Resources Wales waymarks the Pines and Shells Trail, good going for dogs off lead on the soft sand, a 7km loop that starts beyond car park 1 in the country park. It follows sandy tracks and forest roads along the lines of the old railway that served a First World War ammunition factory, and small bunkers and curved blast tunnels still stand among the trees, some bricked up as roosts for horseshoe bats. Orchids line the path in late spring. The ground is almost completely flat, with picnic tables and benches along the way.
This is an excellent dog friendly walk with plenty of off-lead potential on the wide, soft forest tracks, and there is no livestock grazing in the forest. The main caution is horses: permit holders ride in Pembrey Forest, and the park asks owners to keep dogs away from wildlife, horses and other people, so call your dog in when riders appear. The pines give good shade, but there is little water on the trail, so carry some for your dog. Cefn Sidan beach is a short walk away, where dogs are welcome except on the central section from May to September. Toilets and cafes are in the country park, which charges for parking.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.0 km (4.3 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr 10 min
- Walk Type
- Forest, Historic, Coastal
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Toilets, cafe and play areas in Pembrey Country Park; picnic tables along the trail.
- Parking
- Pembrey Country Park car park 1, Carmarthenshire County Council, pay on entry/parking charge.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Pembrey Forest Pines and Shells Trail, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in CarmarthenshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Pembrey Forest Pines and Shells Trail dog friendly?
Pembrey Forest Pines and Shells Trail is a great choice for dog owners, earning a solid 8 out of 10 on our dog friendly rating. The 7km loop runs through wide, soft forest tracks with no livestock grazing, making it a relaxed and enjoyable outing for dogs of most sizes and temperaments. Toilets and a cafe are nearby in Pembrey Country Park, and Cefn Sidan beach is within easy reach if you fancy extending the adventure.
Can dogs be off lead at Pembrey Forest Pines and Shells Trail?
Yes, there's excellent off-lead potential here — the wide, sandy forest tracks give dogs plenty of room to roam freely, and the absence of livestock means you don't need to worry on that front. The main reason to call your dog back is horses, as permit holders ride in the forest, so keep a close eye out for riders and bring your dog to heel when they pass.
What should I know before visiting Pembrey Forest Pines and Shells Trail with my dog?
The trail is almost completely flat and shaded by pines, which is ideal in warmer weather, but there's very little water available along the route so it's important to carry enough for your dog. Horse riders do use the forest, so be ready to recall your dog when they appear. If you're planning to head to Cefn Sidan beach afterwards, note that dogs are restricted from the central section of the beach between May and September. There's a parking charge at Pembrey Country Park car park 1, where the trail begins.
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