Colby Estate Forest and Field Walk (Pink Trail)

Wales

Bluebells under the trees , Colby Woodland Garden, Pembrokeshire — Bluebells, Colby Woodland Garden, Pembrokeshire. | © National Trust Images/Sue Jones

This scenic circular walk winds through estate woodland and farmland. Descending into the valley, then climbs steeply to Little Craig-Y-Borian farmstead. Enjoy stunning coastal views from the level farmland, vibrant with wildflowers in spring and early summer, before returning through the peaceful woodland of Craig y Borion.

Near to

Colby Woodland Garden

Start point

Colby Estate Upper car park, grid ref: SN 15990 08175

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 2.2 miles (3.5km) (km: NaN)

Duration

Dog friendly***

*Walking boots or sturdy shoes are recommended for this walk. The route includes steps and uneven terrain, with one steep descent and one steep ascent. Woodland paths may be muddy. 1 stream crossing over wood sleepers without a handrail. The walk features 7 gates. 90m ascent/90m descent. Highest Point 130m elevation. Stream sides are a hazard for children who should be supervised. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Not suitable for pushchair or wheelchairs or people with poor mobility. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs must be always kept under close control and on a short lead near livestock on Colby Estate. Dogs on leads through Colby Woodland Garden. Dogs are allowed inside the Tearoom. Only assistance dogs allowed in the Walled Garden. Please take your dog waste home with you. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Wildlife to spot

Spring brings the chance to spot a Nuthatch or a Great Spotted Woodpecker, with Mayflies dancing over moving water. Early butterflies such as the Brimstone and Peacock can be seen on sunny days, and the Orange-tip butterfly will begin to emerge when the cuckoo flowers open. Woodland paths and understorey are filled with bluebells. In summer, listen for the melodic songs of Blackcaps and the distinctive call of the Chiffchaff. You might spot frogs and newts in damp woodland areas. And blankets of wildflowers will spread across the fields. Bats are hunting insects across the skies at dusk, watch them follow tree lines and hedgerows. In autumn, spot Fungi, on the fallen trees and branches. Squirrels and small mammals are gathering food for winter. In winter, the woodlands come alive with feeding flocks of Great Tits, Blue Tits, and Long-tailed Tits, while Blackbirds, Robins, and Wrens fill the air with their calls. Farm hedgerows provide a winter foodsource and refuge for Fieldfares and Redwings.

Address
Colby Woodland Garden, near Amroth, Pembrokeshire, SA67 8PP
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Kilgetty train station is 2.5 miles away (4km).
See Traveline Cymru
By bus
The nearest bus stop is in Amroth – served by the 351 Tenby to Pendine route, including stops at Saundersfoot and Kilgetty.
See Traveline Cymru
Cycling
Via road – no dedicated cycle path. There are cycle holders next to the tea room.
Check the National Cycle Network for details.
On foot
3/4 mile walk from Amroth via the public footpath beside the Amroth Arms.
By road
Follow brown signs from A477 Tenby to Carmarthen Road, or off coast road at Amroth Castle caravan park. There’s parking for this walk in the Upper car park. Parking charges apply (coins only), free to NT members and Blue Badger holders.
Dogs
Dogs under close control welcome on Colby Estate. Dogs on leads welcome in Colby Woodland Garden. Dogs on leads only through farmland (see signs on gates on entering farmland).
Car park
This walk starts from the noticeboard in the Upper Car Park. The walk can also be reached on foot from the Lower Car Park.
Toilet
Located near the main entrance to Colby Woodland Garden near the Lower Car Park.
Shop
Second-hand bookshop.
Tea-room
Tearoom is located near the main entrance Colby Woodland Garden. This can be easily accessed near the end of the walk. Craft Gallery above the Tea room is seasonal.
Uneven terrain including loose stone steps & tree roots in woodland. Not suitable for pushchair or wheelchairs or people with poor mobility.
Designated parking
Designated parking in the Upper car park.
Accessible toilet
Only near the Lower Car Park. Nothing in the Upper Car Park.
Steps/uneven terrain
Steep in places and mixed surface paths. Not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs or people with poor mobility.
The terrain varies. While some paths on farmland are level, many areas in the woodland have uneven ground, can be muddy, and include loose stone steps and exposed tree roots. A short steep rocky descent to the stream and a challenging partly stepped steep ascent up to Little Craig y Borian. The stream crossing is made of wood sleepers without a handrail and can be slippery.

Elevation details: Total ascent/descent: 90m

Highest point: 130m
Total stages: 6
Total stages: 6
Start point
Colby Estate Upper car park, grid ref: SN 15990 08175
Stage 1
Facing the noticeboard at the top end of the carpark, go left along the woodland track (Ignore the bridleway further ahead off to the left).
Stage 2
Take the next footpath to the left at the pink waymarker, go down the steps and follow the steep descent to the stream. Cross the stream and head uphill going straight ahead across two footpaths. Climb up the steps and through the gate continuing straight on past the pink waymarker and through a bracken covered field. Continue up the steep ascent following the path through the field to the gate.
Stage 3
Pass through the gate, turn right, with Little Craig Y Borian farmstead off to your left.
Stage 4
Continue to the next pink waymarker at a Y junction with a gated path off to your left. Go left here through the smaller gate. The path leads to a field gate (1). This is a dog-on-lead area. Stay alongside the hedge on your right until you reach the far corner of the field. Go right through gate (2) then immediately left, following the hedge boundary to the far corner of the field. Go left through gate (3). Keep straight ahead with the hedge on your right until you go through 2 consecutive gates with pink/orange waymarkers leading onto a farm track.
Amazing views
Amazing views from farmland on a clear day over the coastline including Caldey Island with its rich history from the Stone Age, now with its monastery, and lighthouse. In season look for meadow flowers. Sheep play an important role in conserving hay meadows by controlling dominant grasses and invasive plants that outcompete delicate wildflowers, this leads to greater plant diversity and a healthy ecosystem. NT has been working with volunteers and farmers here to encourage environmentally friendly farming.
Stage 5
Immediately take the path off to your left, continuing along and through the denser woodland. As the path descends to a hard-surfaced access track, take a slight right here and continue the main track down to the tarmac road.
Stage 6
Turn left at the road, passing Rose Cottage on your left (National Trust holiday cottage) and Colby Lodge on your right. Just after Colby Lodge, you’ll see an entrance on your right leading to the Tea Room, WC’s, Gallery, and Book Shop. You are now in Colby Woodland Gardens. To return to the upper car park, take the path to the left opposite the lower car park entrance.
Rose Cottage garden
Rose Cottage garden – Osmunda regalis (Royal Fern) grows here and is one of the largest specimens in the UK. This special plant, probably 400 years old, has 120 individual crowns, and a circumference of 20 ft. It’s a native of Europe but can also be found in Africa and Asia. Colby Estate – The estate's origins trace back to the 18th century, with the original farmhouse, Rhydlangoed. In the 1790s, the Colby family, led by John Colby (1751–1823), expanded the estate and developed local mining operations which had existed in this area for over 700 years. Colby built the grand ‘Colby Lodge’ in 1802.
End point
Colby Estate car park, grid ref: SN 15990 08175
Trail map
Colby Estate Forest and Field Walk (Pink Trail) map | © Komoot
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