Dog Walking Info - There are currently 255 stiles that need to be crossed on Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail, and they are usually provided and maintained by the National Park Authority. 84 of these stiles incorporate 'dog gates' and a further 65 have gaps that dogs can pass.

The purpose of a traditional stile or gate is to enable the public to exercise their right of passage while at the same time ensuring that a farmer's boundary fence or hedge is stock proof; on sheep farms - to a standard that will contain lambs. Where 'dog gates' are fitted they are usually designed to exclude lambs; this construction unfortunately may not allow a big enough gap for the largest of dogs.

National Trail management policy is in tune with the spirit of the Disability Discrimination Act and adopts the Gap-Gate-Stile approach. When a stile is due for replacement, replacement with another stile is the last option, and only at the landowners insistence. In law, stiles are considered to be 'limitations on the path'. This means that when a path was registered or created as a public right of way, one of the conditions was that stiles were maintained at specific points. In view of this we cannot compel landowners to remove or alter stiles, it has to be negotiated.

Where there is a public demand for the provision of dog stiles, the National Park Authority considers the modification of a stile, subject to funding availability and the agreement of the landowner, who will often request a dog gate to reduce vandalism to boundary fences by dog owners. We now consider fitting dog gates on all stile replacement and repairs. However, with a current rate of 20 stiles being replaced each year, it will be some time before most of the Coast Path is adapted for the passage of dogs.

Where stiles no longer serve a useful agricultural purpose, they can be removed. However, the replacement of stiles with gates is not popular, due to the unfortunate fact that they are often left open.

The National Park Authority is responding positively to the demand for dog stiles and will continue its programme of stile modification, as funding allows. However, although dogs are allowed on the Coast Path, under close control as a natural accompaniment to walkers, the National Park Authority has neither the power nor duty to ensure the free passage of dogs; neither is there provision for this in highway law. It is reasonable to assume that people walking country paths would be confident of their dog's ability to negotiate stiles or else be able to lift their dogs over stiles.

The funding provided by the Countryside Council for Wales is directed at managing the Coast Path for the benefit of walkers and the National Park Authority's duties and powers relate to the passage of the public only, and not necessarily their dogs. Therefore, priority for expenditure on stiles is their safety and convenience for the public.

Responsible dog walking on the Coast Path

Each year the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park receives complaints concerning dogs.
Dog owners can be of great assistance by:

• Cleaning up after their dog.
• Keeping dogs under close control, preferably on a lead. (Each year a number of sheep are chased over the cliff by loose dogs; this fact sours relationships with landowners, making it more difficult to negotiate new access opportunities. Farmers have the right to shoot dogs that worry/chase sheep).
• Keeping dogs away from other walkers, particularly on narrow sections. (Many walkers are distrustful of dogs, and do not want to be bothered by loose dogs).

Coastal grazing

There are a number of current conservation initiatives to increase the grazing of coastal slopes. As a result:

• There may be flocks of sheep and other stock, such as ponies, in places where there were none before.

Dog owners should be aware that having dogs with them in the countryside could make them vulnerable to dangers that walkers without dogs do not experience.

• Other dogs may fight with your dog. There have been cases where owners have been bitten trying to break up dogfights. This is more of a problem where the dogs are resident on the path (eg farm dogs).

Cattle Sense

Many rights of way give access to farmland hat is grazed by cattle. Unlike certain breeds of bull, cattle are not prohibited from occupying fields crossed by public paths.

While a herd of cattle may appear intimidating, they will invariably approach walkers out of curiosity. There have been cases in the past where cattle have been panicked and caused injury to walkers, especially those accompanied by dogs.

Farmers are well aware of the public rights of way that cross their land and the need to ensure that livestock will not endanger walkers. It is sensible, however, to treat the cattle that you may encounter with caution. The Ramblers' Association has therefore issued the following advice to assist walkers who encounter cattle:

• Move carefully and quietly, walk around cattle. Be particularly wary of situations where you may unintentionally be 'herding' cattle into a confined space where their only means of escape is back past you.
• Never pass between a cow and its calf.
• Leave all gates as you found them.
• Be prepared for cattle to react to your presence, especially if you have a dog with you.
• Always keep your dog close and under proper control, ideally on a lead.
• Don't hang on to your dog if you feel threatened by cattle - let it go.

Dog Walks on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail - Autumn 2005

Dog access should be available at the locations listed below, from South (Amroth) to North (Cardigan). I hope this will give you further opportunity to explore - in due course the list will be extended.

Please note:
Although this information is updated fairly regularly, stock practices may change at short notice, and stiles can be erected with little warning. This list has been compiled based on records showing gates, stiles and dog hatches (dog stiles) and stiles that an average size dog should be able to get past. The largest of dogs may not be able to get past either stile.

PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR DOG

• There are no impediments to dogs between the eastern end of Amroth beach and Swallowtree Woods beach Point (about 6km). Part of this route has a wheelchair suitable surface.
• Between 1km north of Waterwynch Bay and Frank's Shore, 1 km west of Giltar Point (about 6km).
• Around and between Lydstep head and Skrinkle Haven (1.5km).
• From Manorbier for one mile both to the east and the west.
• Dog stiles have been fitted from Freshwater East towards Swanlake (about 2 miles).
• Dog stiles have been fitted from Stackpole Quay towards Freshwater East (4.5km), on the last inspection the last stile had bent wire beside that dogs could pass.
• There are no obstructions to dogs between Stackpole Quay and Broad Haven South and Bosherston Church on the Lily Ponds alternative route (6.5km).
• From Stack Rocks to St Govans Head (the gates open) (5km).
• Dog stiles have been fitted or bent wire allows dogs to pass between West Angle Bay and Point House, Angle, there are no stiles on the section east from Angle village to Popton Fort (part is private road) (about 8km total).
• There is dog access for over half a mile at each end of the stretch between Pembroke and Pembroke Dock.
• The Neyland woods section has neither stiles nor gates (0.5km).
• There is a dog access for a mile to the west of Hazelbeach, Neyland.
• From Gelliswick, Milford Haven to Sandy Haven there are now no stiles (4km).
• For 2 km west of Lydsway beach access (St Ishmaels) and east to the south end of Sandy Haven Woods (4km).
• About 0.5 km to the east of St Anne's Head and 3 km to the north - Park at Kete car park.
• There is access for dogs about 1 mile around Dale Airfield.
• There are no stiles left between Marloes Beach car park and Martin's Haven via Marloes Beach main access (4.5km).
• For 1 km to the northeast of Martins Haven (and around the Deerpark 2.2km).
• For 2 km to the southwest of St Bride's beach.
• For 1 km to the north of St Brides beach.

• From south of Mill Haven to Little Haven (5km).
• From Broad Haven to Modoc's Haven (4km). Part of this route has a wheelchair suitable surface.
• For 1.5km south from Newgale (off road section).
• For 1 km north from Newgale.
• There are no impediments to dog access between Solva and St Justinian (16km) Part of this route (in Solva) has a wheelchair suitable surface.
• For 500m to the north of St Justinian.
• There are now no stiles between Point St John, 2km south of Whitesands and about 7km north of St David's Head.
• There are now no stiles between Aberdeiddi and Porthgain (3km). Part of this route has a wheelchair suitable surface.
• Between Porthgain and Aberfelin, Trefin the timber stiles are passable, there are two stone stiles that a fairly agile dog should be able to negotiate (2km).
• To the south of Abercastle there are either dog stiles, or an alternative route through gates giving access to over 3 km, and to the North the stiles are considered to be passable to dogs for about 2.5km.
• From the end of the road at Abermarw, for 2km to the South and over 500m to the North.
• The stiles are passable to dogs for 1km south from Pwllderi.
• There is a stile fenced against sheep halfway between Pwllderi and Strumble Head allowing about 2km access from each end.
• The path should be passable to dogs for 3.5km to the West of Harbour Heights, Goodwick.
• There are no stiles between Harbour Heights and Fishguard Fort - 5km (part is road - 1.2km), and the stiles for a further 1km to the east are dog friendly. Most of this route has a wheelchair suitable surface.
• Dog stiles are provided between Penrhyn and Pwllgwaelod, Dinas (about 4km).
• The Dinas Island circuit (about 4.5km) is dog friendly; all stiles have dog gates fitted. Park at either Pwllgwaelod (free) or Cwm yr Eglwys (charge). NB - the path between Pwllgwaelod and Cwm yr Eglwys has a wheelchair suitable surface.
• Newport; from Newport sands car park (charge) around the estuary to Newport and to the west it is not until Aber Rhigion that you will encounter a dog proof stile - 5km. The path between Iron Bridge and Parrog has a wheelchair suitable surface. With the exception of the section between the lifeboat station and Aber Rhigion, the rest of the path is much used by pushchairs and perambulators.
• There are no stiles between Ceibwr and Witches Cauldron (1.3km).
• NB the most Northerly section around Camaes Head. We are aware of complaints with regards to the resident dogs of Allt y Coed farmyard who resent other dogs, and do not therefore recommend that walkers bring their dogs on this path. Walkers with dogs should consider bypassing Allt y Coed on the bridleway that starts at Cnwcau some 700m east of Allt y Coed. Neither route is provided with dog or pet friendly stiles.

These guidelines are provided by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority as of 23rd September 2005. For up to date information contact Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority on www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk