Kenfig Pool – Rest Bay Rocky Shoreline loop from Kenfig

Hiking trails & Routes

United Kingdom

Wales

South Wales

Kenfig Pool – Rest Bay Rocky Shoreline loop from Kenfig

Moderate

3.0

(1)

hikers

Kenfig Pool – Rest Bay Rocky Shoreline loop from Kenfig

04:27

17.2km

90m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 6, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Kenfig National Nature Reserve

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

552 m

Kenfig Pool

Highlight • Natural Monument

Kenfig Pool, covering an area of 70 acres is the second largest freshwater lake in south Wales (after Llangorse Lake).

It is the heart of the nature reserve and is a valuable stopping point for migrating birds. The lake's maximum depth is about 12 feet - although legend has it that the lake is bottomless and fed by seven springs.

There are 2 bird hides, one on the South and one on the North shore.

Tip by

3.10 km

Kenfig Dunes Information Board

Highlight • Natural Monument

4.27 km

Bench With View of Rest Bay

Highlight • Beach

5.59 km

Rest Bay Rocky Shoreline

Highlight • Beach

Rest bay is a bay and beach near Porthcawl on the coast of Bridgend. The long sandy beach is west facing and is popular with surfers. Facilities are basic. There is a pay and display car park and cafe nearby.

Tip by

7.80 km

View of the Rocky Coastline at The Esplanade

Highlight • Viewpoint

At low tide, the water escapes quite far.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

8.33 km

Porthcawl Promenade and Harbour

Highlight • Beach

THE PROMINARD was built in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, Porthcawl's promenade runs along the seafront from Lock's Common in the west to the harbour, before joining the Eastern Promenade and leading to Coney Beach and Griffin Park. The promenade was restored in 1996. There are many cafes, bars, restaurants and hotels along the promenade, which offers views across the Bristol Channel.

The Grand Pavilion, built at a cost of £25,000 in 1932, is the venue for popular shows, including the annual pantomime. The singer, actor and civil rights activist Paul Robeson once performed 'live' at the Pavilion via a transatlantic telephone link.

Controversial luxury flats now dominate the seafront on the site previously occupied by the Esplanade Hotel, which dated back to the late 1880s. The Royal Society of Architects in Wales awarded 'Esplanade House' a Welsh Housing Design Award in 2006, but the architecture has proved unpopular with many local residents who have nicknamed it "the bottle bank".[5]

Tip by

8.45 km

Harbour

Highlight • Harbor

Harbour with lots of boats and benches. There are some public toilets and cafes nearby

Tip by

10.3 km

Trecco Bay

Beach

13.9 km

St David's Well

Highlight • Historical Site

ST DAVIDS WELL There is many links between Nottage and St Davids the patron saint of Wales,including this holy well.The celts believed the pure water of the well contained magical healing powers. In the past visitors to the well would leave piece of cloth or rag hanging on a nearby tree believing it would cure them of their aliments and bring good luck to the sufferer.Tree could be seen covered with hundreds of discarded rags.

Tip by

17.2 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types