Wales Coast Path Run – Manorbier to Stackpole Quay
Coast Path Vital Stats
Manorbier to Stackpole Quay
- Distance: 6.69 miles
- Elevation Gain Today: 420m
- Highest Elevation: 74m
- Time: 1:24:27
- Av. Pace: 12:38 mins/mile
- Calories: 869
Totals to Date
- Total Distance: 899.82 miles
- Total Time: 168:37:02
- Total Elevation Gain: 26423
- Total Calories: 84393
- Distance to go: 185 miles
After a night at Trefloyne Hall and a hearty breakfast, it was back onto the Coast Path for me. I don’t usually do consecutive days of running but it made sense to give it a go while we were here overnight.
The plan for today was always a shorter run at around 6.5 miles from Manorbier to Stackpole Quay. Once again we had a halfway meeting point at Freshwater East so that I could check in with Anna to make sure I was OK. It was a lovely day today with bright sunshine, just a light breeze and a frosty start.
We were soon at the car park at Manorbier. Despite being out of season it was fairly busy with dog walkers and the toilets were open and clean which is always good. We double checked our meeting points, made sure I had everything I needed and I headed off once more onto the Coast Path. Anna had a short drive along the coast to a large car park at Freshwater East.
Manorbier was looking lovely in the morning sunshine. It was cold though so on went my gloves, hat and buff.
Manorbier to Freshwater East
The path took me up onto the low cliffs. The paths were sticky and slippery at the same time with reddish brown mud. I’d put better running shoes on today though so I had slightly better traction. It was still difficult on the steeper sections. For now it was relatively easy going though as I climbed steadily to reveal nice views back towards Manorbier
As I made it to the top of the point the whole vista of todays run opened out in front of me. The gorgeous Swanlake Bay was in front of me. Beyond this the next bay was Freshwater East where I would meet Anna. I could then see the cliffs towards Stackpole Head with Stackpole Quay my finish point of the day in the distance. A tanker was moored offshore.
The golden sands of Swanlake Bay looked amazing in the sunshine and the blue waters looked quite inviting too.
The path started to undulate a fair bit now with some steep climbs and descents. The views were worth it at the top of each climb and provided a welcome opportunity to stop to take a photo.
I didn’t stop often though as I was feeling good and making steady progress so just kept going. There were occasional walkers to overtake and people walking dogs out on the path too. Before long the wide sweep of sands that is Freshwater East revealed itself.
I stopped to take a photo of Freshwater East along with a selfie and then started to descend down past some holiday cabins and then once again down into the dunes behind the beach. Here the path weaved it’s way through the soft sand of the dunes until I emerged at a large car park where I found Anna waiting for me.
Freshwater East to Stackpole Quay
I didn’t stop long here, just enough time to top up my water and make sure we knew where we were meeting next – a National Trust Car Park at Stackpole Quay, where there was supposed to be a car charging point. I headed off and soon found myself climbing a very steep hill out of Freshwater East.
At the top of the hill the Coast Path cut across the headland and then took me out onto the cliff tops. I had a text message from Anna to tell me she had arrived at the car park and was successfully charging the car for free.
The path meandered its way along the cliff tops with numerous little descents and steep climbs. There was nothing of particular note, just plenty of perfect Pembrokeshire Coast scenery. Steep cliffs, rock stacks, deep gulleys, secluded bays and the whole while the sun twinkling on the sea. Despite the sun it did start getting a little chilly as a breeze picked up but it was nothing too bad as long as I kept moving.
After a couple of larger climbs I could see the buildings of Stackpole Cottages ahead of me and soon started the descent towards them. I had assumed this was where the car park was so went off in search of the car. I soon realised that it must be the next bay along so I retraced my steps and then spotted Anna coming along the path towards me.
I walked the last hundred yards or so into Stackpole Quay itself with Anna and then headed to the car park where the car was charging. My job for the day done.
It had been a relatively short run at less than 7 miles but combined with the run I’d done yesterday that meant I had ticked off another 15 mile of the Coast Path. Not too bad considering I was still recovering from a heart attack. Whats more it was a nice weekend away with Anna. It also took me up to a total of 900 miles that I’ve ran around Wales. There’s still quite a way to go but it feels better having got some more under my belt. I can’t wait for the next section now, time to get planning.
There was just the small matter of the drive home but that was easy enough with a short stop for a coffee and cake en route.
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What a lovely day with the added bonus of free top up for the car
Great pictures and quite an accomplishment.