Colby Estate Streamside Walk (Orange Trail)

Wales

Aerial views of Colby Woodland Garden’s hidden wooded valley, Pembrokeshire | © Jack Abbott

This scenic circular walk winds through estate woodland following the course of the stream on the valley floor. The path climbs up to stunning coastal views vibrant with wildflowers in spring and early summer, before a gentle descent through woodland above the riverside.

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: Miles: 3.2 (km: 5) (km: NaN)

Duration1 hour 30 mins

Dog friendly***

*Walking boots or sturdy shoes are recommended for this walk. The route includes uneven terrain, with a gradual climb up to more level farmland. Woodland paths may be muddy. Loose rocks and exposed tree roots are present. Unguarded streamside. Stream sides are a hazard for children who should be supervised. The walk features 6 gates. 120m ascent/120m descent. Highest Point 180m elevation.
**Not suitable for pushchair or wheelchairs or people with poor mobility.
***Dogs must be always kept under close control 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.

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 Orange-tip emerge. The woodlands edges and understory are filled with bluebells. Watch out for rabbits in farmland edges. 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. Bats are hunting insects at dusk along the treeline and over the water. 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 food source 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 stands next to the tearoom. Check the National Cycle Network for details.
On foot
¾ 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 or Lower 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 at the noticeboard in the Upper Car Park opposite the entrance. 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 & exposed tree roots in woodland. Not suitable for pushchair or wheelchairs or people with poor mobility.
Designated parking
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, are muddy, and include loose stone and exposed tree roots. The paths will become slippery in wet or wintry weather. Please take care with your footing and wear suitable footwear. The streamside is not guarded, and children should be supervised.

Elevation details: Total ascent/descent: 120m. Highest point: 180m
Total stages: 6
Total stages: 6
Start point
Colby Estate Upper car park, grid ref: SN 15990 08175
Stage 1
From the noticeboard at the top end of the carpark, head West down through the carpark and through a small woodland area until you reach the road. Turn right onto the road. Watch out for traffic.
Stage 2
Pass ‘Rose Cottage’ on your right, then immediately turn right at the orange waymarker, through the small gate onto the footpath. Continue along the path, following the stream.
An old mine shaft
An old mine shaft (fenced off for safety, up on your left). In the 1790s, the estate was expanded by the Colby family, with John Colby (1751–1823) leading the development of local mining operations. There has been coal mining in this area for over 700 years. Remains of the old mill leet near the stream bed which provided power for the sawmills located lower down near Colby Lodge.
Stage 3
Keep going straight ahead through 2 consecutive gates and following the orange waymarkers. Stay alongside the stream following the path as it branches off sharply uphill.
Stage 4
As the path joins the bridleway there is a short steep ascent continuing around a sharp U bend. At the brow of the hill look out for a gated path to the right. Go right through the gated path (follow Orange & Pink signs). 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 because they maintain plant diversity and support a healthy ecosystem by controlling dominant grasses and invasive plants that outcompete delicate wildflowers. The National Trust has been working with volunteers and farmers here to encourage environmentally friendly farming.
Stage 5
After passing through the gate, take the wide farm track on the right towards ‘Craig y Borian Farm’. At the orange waymarker, before reaching the farm, double back onto the lower track. Continue descending by the river valley for approximately 25 minutes.
Stage 6
Turn left onto the tarmac road. Pass ‘Rose Cottage’ on your left (National Trust holiday cottage) and Colby Lodge on your right. Just after Colby Lodge, you will see an entrance on your right leading to the Tea Room, WCs, Gallery, and Book Shop. You are now in Colby Woodland Gardens. To return to the upper car park, take the path opposite the lower car park entrance.
Rose Cottage
Rose Cottage – in it’s garden is the oldest specimen of Osmunda Regalis (Royal Fern) one of the largest and oldest in the UK (about 400 yrs old). Colby Lodge was built in 1802. The origins of the estate date back to the 18th century. The original area was called Rhydlangoed: "Rhyd" – means "ford", a shallow crossing point in a river or stream. "Langoed" – possibly derived from "Llan" (church or settlement) and "coed" (woods or trees). So, "Rhydlangoed" could roughly translate to "Ford of the wooded settlement". In summer House Martins fly around the Lodge.
End point
Colby Estate car park, grid ref: SN 15990 08175
Trail map
Colby Estate Streamside Walk (Orange Trail) Map | © Komoot
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