| Where | Millennium Coastal Path (Brecon Beacons and South Wales) |
|---|---|
| Date | 12 March 2011 |
| Duration | 2 hours 40 minutes |
| Distance | 13 miles (~21 km) |
| Weather | Overcast with rain at the turnaround |
| Trail conditions | Dry tarmac and dirt track |
| Rider | Age | Bike(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Anonymous | Unknown | Silverfox SFX01 |
| Josie Wilton-Jones | Unknown | Concept No Limit |
| Mark 'Tarquin' Wilton-Jones | 30 | GT LTS 2000 (TWJ) |
| Nicola Brankley | 32 | Gary Fisher Marlin Disc |
Trip report
Description by Mark 'Tarquin' Wilton-Jones
The nausiatingly named path runs through the equally nasiatingly named Millennium Coastal Park, from Llanelli to the Pembrey Country Park. It is artificially constructed over what used to be wasteland, with views over the Llwchwr (Lougher) Estuary towards the Gower. We started at the Discovery Centre, on the west edge of Llanelli.
The path is intended for use by walkers and cyclists, and is so easy that even a beginner on a penny-farthing would want to try a little off-roading, just to liven things up. Even the fun looking wooden platforms have signs saying that cyclists may not ride on them.
A short uphill and downhill as it passes over a railway line, and you may be convinced that this is actually exercise. Another path joins from the right, with the way on continuing to hug the coast.
A short distance on, past some more path junctions, the artificial wetland lakes begin. Not bad. Artificial, but not bad. Better than housing estates, I suppose.
A second gentle climb, and the path crosses back over the railway. We took a quick detour to the left to get back to the estuary, then turned right to rejoin the main path.
An obvious artificial peninsula gives a good view over the tidal sandbanks of the Llwchwr Estuary. It's good for a little off-roading if you're bored with the monotonous trail conditions. Which you could easily be.
A short distance beyond is a car park and junction where the way on is the continuing track ahead-left. This then skirts a skate park and a car park to arrive at the Pembrey Harbour.
Though it is possible to cross footbridges to take shortcuts here, the official route turns right, and skirts all three docks of the harbour. Just as it reaches the car park on the far side of the first dock, it turns back on itself, and heads away from the docks. A short distance away, it crosses the road to pick up a dirt track running near the coastal dunes.
The route hugs the coast, passing a couple of junctions to reach the edge of a large tidal inlet. It then follows the inlet past the Pembrey Burrows dunes.
Near the far end of the inlet is a large pillbox. As we reached it, it began to rain, so we took the opportunity to turn around.
The trail then takes a small path to the right, continuing onwards to the Pembrey Country Park, where it officially ends.
By the time we returned, the tide had dropped, exposing the extensive and impressive sand banks of the estuary.
It is of course possible to extend the route in either direction. It is even possible to continue along the various cycling routes to the far side of West Wales, if this is really what appeals to you.
