Overview
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail follows the rugged coastline along the western peninsula of Wales, providing some of Britain’s finest walking. Take in numerous secluded beaches, castle ruins and charming fishing villages; follow the undulating cliff-top trails and listen to the ocean waves crashing in the caves below; enjoy the diversity of wildlife and the amazing abundance of flowers covering the cliffs.
This walking holiday includes the sections of the path from Amroth to Whitesands, covering just over 193km. You can also consider the shorter versions of the tour (8 & 6 Days).
- Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
- St David’s Cathedral
- Spot seals and puffins in their natural habitat
- Whitesands Bay, famous for its golden sand and spectacular sunsets
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 its own 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 you will encounter on any day’s walk along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. You will have great views across Caldey Island and 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 will 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 they will be on active training duties on certain days of the year. If this is the case, 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 Coastal Path through farmland for approximately 5km to reach Pembrokeshire Coastal 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 you and offers 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 the Pembrokeshire industry, which remains 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. Through a riverside woodland where you will see the remains of old limestone quarries, which provided the 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 you will have to 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 Milford Haven and 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: Dale to Marloes | 18km
This section of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path takes you past Castlebeach and Warwick Bay; two secluded golden coves carved out of the landscape. This was the landing point of Henry VII in 1485 as he made his way to the Battle of Bosworth. The trail continues passing the mouth of Milford Haven, rounding St Ann’s Head before turning north to take you along by Frenchman’s and Welshman’s Bay. You will pass a disused airfield at Dale, round Hooper’s Point to glorious views of Marloes Sands stretching out before you.
- Walking for the day: 7-8h, 18km ↑355m
- Accommodation: Clock House B&B or similar
Day 9: Marloes to Broad Haven | 18km
From Melrose, the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path leads you to Martins Haven, where you will have lovely views across Skomer Island. The island is best known for its large breeding seabird population, including Atlantic puffins, Manx shearwaters, razorbills, guillemots, great cormorants, and thousands of other seabirds on the water and soaring above the cliffs. You can add a rest day in Marloes and take a 15min boat trip to enjoy one of the most incredible wildlife experiences in Britain. Note that there are no sailings on Mondays, and sailings are weather dependent. Cost is not included in the tour price. The trail continues around the cliff tops that overlook Musselwick Sands, along St Bride’s Bay, where you will be overlooking Warey and Mill Haven. Ahead you will have beautiful views of St David’s Head and Ramsey Island to finish your day in Broad Haven.
- Walking for the day: 7-8h, 18km ↑560m
- Accommodation: Anchor Guest House or similar
Day 10: Broad Haven to Solva | 20km
The trail takes you along the golden sandy beach of Broad Haven and out over the clifftops that overlook St Brigit’s Bay. You will pass the magical, secluded bays of Druidston Haven and Nolton Haven. After Nolton Haven, you have a short steep climb back onto the clifftop trail, Maidenhall Point, and back down to the village of Newgale. The village is renowned for having one of the best surfing beaches in Pembrokeshire that stretches for just over 3km, the perfect spot to stop for lunch and watch the world go by. Your final section for the day takes you back onto the clifftops along Porth Mynawyd, Aber West and finally into the hamlet of Solva.
- Walking for the day: 7-9h, 20km ↑925m
- Accommodation: Ty Boya or similar
Day 11: Solva to Whitesands | 22km
The Pembrokeshire coastal path takes you out of Solva and back onto the cliff path, where you will be rewarded with some glorious views back over Solva, across St. Brigit’s Bay and ahead to Ramsey and Skomer Islands. You will pass Caer Bwdy and Caerfai Bays. The purple sandstone used for the building of St. David’s Cathedral was quarried from these two bays. A little further is St. Non’s Bay, named after St David’s mother. The trail rounds the head at Penmaen Melyn, where the path turns north to follow the eastern shore of Ramsey Sound to finish your day at Whitesand Bay.
- Walking for the day: 7-9h, 22km ↑720m
- Accommodation: Ty Boya or similar
Day 12: Departure
Departure or stay an extra day on request.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodations on this tour include a mix of charming small hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses. They have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere, cuisine and unique services. 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
- Clock House B&B
- Anchor Guest House
- Ty Boya
*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 the village 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 sometimes steps. Sometimes, you will walk inland from the coastal 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 eventually 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 15 minutes by local bus to Amroth.
- Check the Traveline website for up-to-date timetables, or use the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 11 nights in twin/double rooms, en-suite (3-star hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses as listed in the itinerary)
- 11 breakfasts
- Luggage transfer when changing hotels (one piece of luggage per person, max 20kg)
- Transfers from/to St. Davids included
- 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
