Discover four of the best family bike rides in Pembrokeshire. We love going for family bike rides, but don’t love hills! Surprisingly there is a good choice of flat routes that you can take if you want to go for a bike ride in Pembrokeshire with kids.
This travel guide will help you plan your own family bike ride. It will tell you the starting point, distance and things to to see on the family bike ride. More importantly, it will provide a map of each route. All of the bike rides are away from roads and make the most of the spectacular Welsh countryside and coastline.
Here are our favourite traffic-free, flat family bike rides in Pembrokeshire:-
The Dramway Trail
Distance: 4 miles return
Start in Saundersfoot and follow the disused railway line through the old railway tunnels to Wiseman’s Bridge. This is 4-mile return bike ride along the coastal path, so good for little legs or a beginner. There are great views of the Pembrokeshire coast and you could stop at the beach or Coast restaurant on the way.
Refreshments: Stop for a drink at Wiseman’s Bridge Inn when you get there
St Govan’s Head
Distance: 8 miles return
Start: Car park at Broad Haven (South) – National Trust fee applies for non-members
This is our favourite of the family bike rides in Pembrokeshire, as there is so much to see on the way. The trail follows the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path from Broad Haven South and is the only part of this coastal trail that is accessible by bike.
It is a really picturesque cycle ride across the cliff tops and has many natural and historical attractions. (see below)
Take a picnic, as there are plenty of beautiful viewpoints to stop and eat.
Things to see on the St Govan's bike ride:-
St Govan’s Chapel –– This 13th Century chapel is in the cliffside, so you have to leave your bikes to climb down.
Green Bridge of Wales – This is a dramatic natural arch which has formed in the limestone cliffs. The famous geological feature is a great spot for a selfie.
Nesting seabirds – You can get a good view of razorbills (black with white tummy) and guillemots (brown with white tummy) at Stackrocks before you get to the Green Bridge of Wales.
Grey Seals – Pembrokeshire has one of the biggest breeding colonies of grey seals in Britain. If you are lucky you can see them from the cliff tops in the secluded coves (not accessible by humans). August to November is the breeding season, so if you go then you may see a seal pup too.
Iron Age Forts – These forts were built over 2000 years ago.
Top tips: It is a military firing range, so check they are not firing before you go.
Brunel Trail
Distance: 18 miles return
Start: Neyland (parking next to the marina)
Park at Neyland and cycle the former route of the Great Western Railway to Johnston and Haverfordwest, built under the direction of Isambard Kingdom Brunel in the 1850s. It’s a traffic-free bike ride and has a very gentle ascent, with great views of woods and open country-side.
At Haverford West there are many places to eat, but we walked up to the castle and picknicked there.
Llys y Fran Country Park
Distance: 8 miles (one-way)
Start: Llys y Fran Country Park is a 350 acre country park, set in the heart of Pembrokeshire. We cycled here before it closed in 2019 for renovations, but we hear it’s due to be reopened in 2020. The main focus of the park is the reservoir and an impressive 100ft dam which sends water down into the River Syfynwy.
Starting in the car park by the cafe we cycled anti-clockwise along the family trail for ~1.5 miles. At this point the boys and I turned back for a picnic and play in the park. My husband, however, continued on the more challenging mountain bike trail for ~6.5 miles. He cycled a complete loop of the reservoir, finishing at the dam.
Be warned there’s a fast and steep descent down in front of the dam, followed by an equally gruelling climb back up to the visitors’ centre.
Top Tip: A bike wash is available if your bike has got muddy on the ride.
PIN FOR LATER: 4 Fabulous family bike rides in Pembrokeshire
