5k Run Dinas Cross: Stunning Coastal Views Along Dinas Island

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 4.8km clockwise loop around Dinas Island offers some of the most dramatic coastal running in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Despite its short distance, the route packs a punch with 112m of elevation, primarily concentrated in the brisk climb from Pwllgwaelod Beach up toward the trig point at the island's summit. Runners can expect a mix of paved sections and rugged, narrow single-track trails that hug the cliffside. Be mindful of your footing, as there are several exposed drops and the path can become quite slick and muddy after a Welsh drizzle, but the reward is a panoramic view of Fishguard Bay and the Irish Sea that is hard to beat.

Dinas Island isn't actually a true island, but a prominent peninsula cut off from the mainland by a deep glacial valley. The area is steeped in maritime history and local folklore; the village of Cwm-yr-Eglwys, tucked on the eastern side of the loop, remains famous for the ruins of St Brynach's Church, which was largely destroyed by the "Great Storm" of 1859. Today, the peninsula is a sanctuary for birdlife, and if you time your run for early morning or sunset, you might spot razorbills or even grey seals playing in the coves below. It’s a quintessential Pembrokeshire experience that perfectly captures the wild, untamed spirit of the Welsh coast.