Monknash Beach and Cwm Nash Walk

4 miles (6.4 km)

This circular walk takes you through Cwm Nash to Traeth Mawr beach from the village of Monknash in the Vale of Glamorgan.
From the car park you follow a well-used footpath heading west to the scenic wooded valley of Cwm Nash. The path runs close to the Nash Brook, with tall trees, ferns and moss-covered banks creating a sheltered, green corridor.... In spring the woodland often has carpets of wild garlic and bluebells, while birds such as robins, wrens and woodpeckers are commonly heard along the route.
As the valley opens out you approach the dramatic cliffs of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, where the stream meets the sea. A short, steeper section leads down to Traeth Mawr, a wide, wild stretch of shoreline backed by towering limestone and shale cliffs. At low tide the rocky platforms and exposed strata show the distinctive layered geology for which this coastline is known.
The beach itself feels remote and unspoilt, with sweeping views along the coast and plenty of space to explore the rocks and pools. From here you retrace your steps back through the valley to Monknash, completing a scenic outing that combines wooded river scenery with one of the most striking coastal landscapes in the area.
You can extend the walk by heading east to visit the lighthouse at Nash Point.

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Cwm Nash
Cwm Nash
Monknash beach
Monknash beach.  A very rocky beach. The rock is Lias which means alternating layers of soft shale and harder limestone. The shale gets washed away from the cliff bottoms leading to rockfalls and continual slow erosion.

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