5.4 Mile Run - Porthgain Loop
This is a scenic coastal path and country lane run which is a 5.4 mile loop. It follows the coastal path from Porthgain past Treath Llyfn Beach, past the famous "Blue Lagoon", on past Abereiddy beach and loops back along the country lanes towards Llanrhian and finally back to Porthgain.
I run down the lane towards Porthgain and past it's well known local - The Sloop Inn.
It's a beautiful morning. The tide is in and the harbour is sleepy.
I run down to the white building at the end of the harbour.
.........and psyche myself up to attempt to run up the 72 steps to reach the coastal path!
My lungs feel like they are going to burst out of my chest at any moment,
but it was worth it for the view!
Now I am on the coastal path.
In the distance, I can see the white beacon which guides the boats to the harbour.
The path gets close to the edge at points.
Dotted around are ruins of the buildings that were used
when they quarried for slate in the area.
when they quarried for slate in the area.
Ah! The track widens and I have a nice bit of flat to run on for a while.
To my left are rustling fields full of golden wheat, swaying in the wind.
I suddenly notice a creature on the path in front of me. It's a mole!
Never seen one in real life before! Not sure if he's very well the poor dab!
It's a slight drag up this bit.
The view back towards Porthgain is stunning!
To the right, I pass the now disused slate quarry......
....someones left a message below.
The track is nice and wide here.
The view along the coastline is sooooo pretty!
You can see the summits of Pen Beri and Carn Llidi in the distance.
In the autumn, we regularly see seal pups in this spot.
It gets a little rocky here and I need to be careful how my feet land.
It soon turns to grass.
The summit of Pen Beri in the distance.
After crossing this bridge the gorgeous, secluded beach of Traeth Llyfn
is accessible down the steps to the right.
The tide is on it's way out. Not a sole down there!
The path is a long drag uphill for a while. This is the view behind me.
I go through a gate and suddenly, I find myself running through an open field.
Occasionally, we have met wild horses grazing in this area.
Ahead is the cliffs edge and to the right I can see the watch tower.
As I reach the cliff's edge, I can see the famous "Blue Lagoon".
Many thrill seekers come from miles away to jump
from it's cliff ledges into its deep, deep water.
I have reached Abereiddy Bay. This is a pebbly beach with dark sand.
Many people find fossils in the surrounding crumbly slate cliffs.
I continue running with the sea to my right and it's time for THE HILL!
This is a solid mile of uphill! It's almost a 300ft elevation gain!
Thankfully it's a windy one, so you can pretend the top is around the next bend! Lol!
I can see the watch tower across the bay.
It goes on and on.
The walls lining the road are covered in moss and lichen. They are really pretty!
And there's more.........
It's less steep now, but I'm still going up.......
I've heard that there's another route back through the fields over there.
I may check that out next time.
I may check that out next time.
I continue running along the country lanes and past a farm.
This cow isn't to impressed by my presence! Lol!
OMG! Is this hill EVER going to end???
Yay! I reach a cross roads, which signals the end of
increased elevation for me! I take a left.
I follow the lane for a while before arriving at the tiny village of Llanrhian. At the crossroads just ahead, I take a left past a farm and follow the lane down towards Porthgain.
On the way, I pass a few fields with cows lazing around.
You can follow the road straight on all the way to Porthgain now.
I recommend a stop off at The Sloop now, for some well deserved liquid refreshment. ;o)
Hope you enjoyed
:o)
