Overview
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is one of the UK’s finest National Trails stretching for 299km along wild cliffs, dipping down into magical coves and then opening up into vast surfy strands. Its location on the southern peninsula is a Welsh walking paradise, and this walking holiday, from Amroth to Dale, is an ideal introduction to its highlights. Covering 117km over eight days, the natural and cultural landscapes are ever changing, as you enjoy the likes of Tenby Castle or Trewent sea cliffs, picnics in the dunes or dips at dawn.
You can also consider the other versions of the tour (6 & 12 days).
- Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
- Spot seals and puffins in their natural habitat
- The banks of the Gann, one of Pembrokeshire’s best birdwatching sites
- Tenby Castle
- Trewent Point sea cliffs
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Amroth
Start your adventure in Amroth, the village that marks the beginning of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Amroth has a wide sunny beach, popular for swimming and windsurfing.
- Accommodation: Manian Lodge or similar
Day 2: Amroth to Lydstep | 21km
The first section of the trail takes you through a short section of woodland, one of the very few sections of woodland along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. You will have great views across Caldey Island, then follow the promenade through Saundersfoot, a popular spot for windsurfing. Visit the ruins of the 13th century Tenby Castle and walk along the golden sandy beach of Lydstep Haven.
- Walking for the day: 7-8h, 21km ↑680m
- Accommodation: The New Overlander or similar
Day 3: Lydstep to Bosherston | 20km
From Lydstep, the trail takes you up over the Skrinkle Haven sea cliffs, where you’ll be rewarded with some stunning views back over yesterday’s trail and ahead to Manorbier Castle and beyond to the East and West Moor cliffs. You will walk through the dunes of Freshwater East and have a chance to stop for lunch in the National Trust Boathouse Tearoom. Your day finishes in the small village of Bosherston.
- Walking for the day: 7-8h, 20km ↑695m
- Accommodation: St. Govan’s Country Inn or similar
Day 4: Bosherston to Angle | 22km
Today the trail passes the Castlemartin military range and, as they will be on active training duties on certain days of the year, you will have to make an extra 2km detour. Your tour package will include full details of training days and detours. For the first section of the trail, you will follow the Wales Coast Path through farmland for approximately 5km to reach Pembrokeshire Coast Path at Merrion and continue as normal. The trail descends to meet the coast at Freshwater West and then climbs steadily to take you up onto the sea cliffs at Trewent Point. A beautiful 5km section now awaits, with some of the finest views of the day. Your day finishes in the charming village of Angle, situated in a sheltered valley of East Angle Bay on the Milford Haven Waterway.
- Walking for the day: 7-8h, 22km ↑675m
- Accommodation: The Globe or similar
Day 5: Angel to Pembroke | 19.2km
Today will be an easier walking day that leads you out from Angle along the coast by Angel Bay. If you are a wildlife enthusiast or a nature lover, this section will not disappoint. The trail continues around the headland by some of Pembrokeshire’s industry, but this is generally hidden from view. As you approach Pembroke, views of the impressive Pembroke Castle will come into sight. The castle is worth a visit (tickets not included).
- Walking for the day: 6-7h, 19.2km ↑365m
- Accommodation: Woodbine B&B or similar
Day 6: Pembroke to Milford Haven | 20km
From Pembroke, the path crosses the Pembroke River at Mill Bridge, giving extensive views of the Castle and Pembroke River. Your walk continues through a riverside woodland where you will see the remains of old limestone quarries, which provided stone for the castle walls. You will skirt the villages of Neyland and Llanstadwell and out into the open countryside through fields at Hazel and Beach. You will have great views of the waterway back towards Pembroke and the Cleddau Bridge.
- Walking for the day: 7-8h, 20km ↑430m
- Accommodation: Heart Of Oak or similar
Day 7: Milford Haven to Dale | 15.2km
You will have two river crossings today with the aid of a low bridge. You will have to cross at low tide, or else make detours (tidal times will be included in your tour notes). The trail takes you out of Milford Haven on a beautiful coastal path that overlooks the town and then into the beautiful Cobh of Sandy Haven. Here you have to cross over a low bridge, and once over, the trail will lead you around by Little and Great Castle Head, Watch House Point and into the sandy beach of Aber y Gann. This is a great area for birdwatching. Once over the causeway, follow the trail into Dale.
- Walking for the day: 5-6h, 15.2km ↑290m
- Accommodation: Allanbrook B&B or similar
Day 8: Departure
Departure or stay an extra day on request.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Manian Lodge
- The New Overlander
- St. Govan’s Country Inn
- The Globe
- Woodbine B&B
- Heart Of Oak
- Allanbrook B&B
*Hotels are subject to availability. If a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal or higher value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. You can have dinner at the guesthouse you are staying at or at nearby pubs and restaurants.
Difficulty and terrain
While not too demanding, most days offer 5-7h of walking over beaches, cliffs, paved and unpaved roads, with a daily elevation gain between 350 and 550m. Some sections can be rocky and steep as you traverse the cliffs, and there are a few steps to navigate. When necessary, you will walk inland from the Coast Path to your accommodation or bus stop. You must be reasonably fit to complete the walk (read more about difficulty grades). The trail follows well-maintained footpaths. The route is waymarked extensively with fingerposts and acorn symbols. A comprehensive guidebook and map are supplied. You can also call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. Your holiday information pack will include more detailed information on route navigation.
When to go
This trip is available from mid-April until mid-October.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season. We can book you on off-season dates if you are a seasoned and well-equipped hiker.
Getting there
Up-to-date travel advice on the United Kingdom is available here (for Canadian citizens) and here (for US citizens).
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airports for this tour are Cardiff (CWL), Bristol (BRS) or any London airport.
By train or bus
- From Cardiff airport, by rail to Whitland, and then it is 15mins by local bus to Amroth.
- Check the Traveline website for up-to-date timetables, or use the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights in twin/double rooms, en-suite (3-star hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses as listed in the itinerary)
- 7 breakfasts
- Luggage transfer when changing hotels (one piece of luggage per person, max 20kg)
- Detailed journey documentation and practical information: personalised trip notes and maps, details on restaurants and places of interest to visit, information on trains or buses needed to get to your first accommodation and back at the end of the tour (emailed before departure and a hard copy provided at first hotel; one set per room)
- GPS tracks
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights along the trail are bookable upon request
Gallery
