Pembrokeshire Coast Path
An expert guide to walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
Whisper it quietly; this might just be the best coastal path in Britain, and one of the UK’s best walks overall.
If you ask me, Pembrokeshire has it all – dramatic clifftop vistas, seemingly endless beaches, secluded coves and tiny fishing villages, but best of all; almost no one knows about it, so you get pretty much all of it to yourself.
You’ll need two or three weeks to complete the trail in one go, and, as with most coastal paths in Britain, you’ll have to endure a lot of ups and down as you climb from clifftop down to cove and back up to clifftop, time and time again. But the rewards are plenty; as well as the sensational views, there’s wildlife to spot (seals, dolphins, all manner of seas birds), historic sites to explore (including no fewer than 11 castles), and exotic Welsh cuisine to fuel those tired legs (oggy and faggots, anyone?).
Good to know
- Distance: 186 miles (299km)
- Duration: 16 days
- Start point: Amroth
- End point: St Dogmaels
- Difficulty: Moderate – No problem to navigate, and not technically difficult, but don’t underestimate its length, nor the steepness of some of the cliff climbs
- Suitable for: Any fit walker; great for families, though not necessarily in one sitting
Key information
| Destinations | Pembrokeshire |
|---|---|
| Activity | Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Camping, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks |
| Physical Level | Moderate |
 Season |
January - December |
Pembrokeshire Coast Path itinerary
Amroth – Tenby
Day 1 in Tenby
The path begins on the seafront at Amroth and follows low cliffs and wooded slopes westward, offering occasional sea views through gaps in the trees. Approaching Tenby, the route opens out to reveal the town’s medieval walls and harbour, with Caldey Island visible offshore.
- 7 miles
Tenby – Manorbier Bay
Day 2 in Manorbier Bay
Leaving Tenby along the shoreline, the path rounds Giltar Point and climbs onto open clifftops above the wide sweep of Lydstep Haven. It continues west across exposed headlands and fields before descending into the more sheltered cove at Manorbier, overlooked by its Norman castle.
- 10.5 miles
Manorbier Bay – Broad Haven South
Day 3 in Broad Haven South
From Manorbier the route climbs gently onto limestone cliffs, then continues past secluded beaches, including Freshwater East and the stunning Barafundle Bay. The path follows rugged headlands before descending to the sandy dunes of Broad Haven South and neighbouring Bosherton Lily Ponds.
- 10.5 miles
Broad Haven South – Angle
Day 4 in Angle
This is a longer and more remote section, with much of the day spent on Ministry of Defence land when access is permitted. The route skirts dramatic coastline including Stack Rocks, Freshwater West and the Green Bridge of Wales, before bending north across farmland to reach Angle.
- 20.5 miles
Angle – Pembroke
Day 5 in Pembroke
The path follows the south side of the Milford Haven waterway, passing oil terminals and inlets before turning inland. It ends in the town of Pembroke, dominated by its large medieval castle and millpond.
- 11.5 miles
Pembroke – Milford Haven
Day 6 in Milford Haven
Today’s route follows a mixture of minor roads, wooded tracks and riverside paths as it traces the southern edge of the estuary. Views across the water are intermittent, and the day finishes in the industrial town of Milford Haven.
- 12.5 miles
Milford Haven – Dale
Day 7 in Dale
Leaving Milford, the route winds through fields and along creeks, eventually rounding the headland at Great Castle Head. The path leads into Dale via a quiet stretch of shoreline and the village quay.
- 9.5 miles
Dale – Marloes
Day 8 in Marloes
This stage circles the remote Marloes Peninsula, with expansive views from airy cliff tops above rocky coves and bird-nesting sea stacks. The walking is exposed but steady, eventually curving into the inland edge of Marloes village.
- 12 miles
Marloes – Newgale
Day 9 in Newgale
The path continues past the wide beach at Marloes Sands and through the National Trust-managed Deer Park at Wooltack Point, with views across to Skomer Island. From there it tracks a series of rugged headlands, ending on the long shingle beach at Newgale.
- 15.5 miles
Newgale – St Davids
Day 10 in St Davids
Leaving Newgale, the path runs along low cliffs and past isolated coves before reaching the headland at St Non’s. A short inland detour leads to St Davids, a small city (Britain's smallest, in fact!) centred around its cathedral and former bishop’s palace.
- 9.5 miles
St Davids – Whitesands Bay
Day 11 in Whitesands Bay
From St Davids the route returns to the coast, rounding the peninsula via Caerfai Bay and St Non’s Chapel. It follows undulating cliffs and passes several rocky inlets before reaching the sandy sweep of Whitesands.
- 8.5 miles
Whitesands Bay – Trefin
Day 12 in Trefin
The trail climbs and falls along rocky cliffs with views north towards Ramsey Island. The day ends near the small village of Trefin, set back slightly from the coast.
- 11 miles
Trefin – Pwll Deri
Day 13 in Pwll Deri
A wilder section of the path, with fewer settlements and longer stretches of cliff walking. The route follows exposed headlands before finishing at Pwll Deri, a high point overlooking the sea.
- 9.5 miles
Pwll Deri – Fishguard
Day 14 in Fishguard
The route stays high on the cliffs for much of the day, descending occasionally into steep-sided valleys. It approaches Fishguard via the breakwater and lower town quay.
- 10.5 miles
Fishguard – Newport
Day 15 in Newport
After a brief urban stretch, the trail returns to the coast, weaving around Dinas Island (a detached headland) and sandy beaches. The day ends in the small town of Newport at the mouth of the River Nevern.
- 11 miles
Newport – St Dogmaels
Day 16 in St Dogmaels
The final stage is the longest and most strenuous since the early days of the walk, with constant ups and downs over isolated headlands. The path finishes at St Dogmaels, just inland from the estuary, where a marker near the abbey notes the end of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
- 16 miles
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path: Need to Know
Where to stay
Some of the more remote stretches have a dearth of accommodation so you may need to adjust your daily distances accordingly. In general, there’s a good range of places to stay, from campsites and hostels, to B&Bs and guesthouses. Don’t forget to factor in one or two rest days; walking for 16 days on the trot is a tough ask.
Coast to Coast route overview
Starting in the seaside village of Amroth, day one takes you across the sandstone cliffs of south Pembrokeshire to pretty Tenby, with its pastel-coloured harbour buildings and boat rides out to the monastic island of Caldey. You’ll soon reach the beachside 12th-century castle at Manorbier Bay before passing a series of magnificent beaches – Freshwater West, Barafundle Bay, Broad Haven – each with its own unique character. Having negotiated a route around the MoD firing range at Castlemartin, and the more inviting Angle peninsula, you approach the least desirable part of the walk, around the heavily industrialised estuary of Milford Haven – fortunately, historic Pembroke and its magnificent Norman castle provide a welcome distraction.
The coastline becomes increasingly more attractive again as you approach Dale peninsular, then turns spectacular around Marloes peninsula where the three barren islands of Skomer, Skokholm and Grassholm attract thousands of seabirds, plus a boatload or two of curious day-trippers.
After the surfing hotspot of Newgale you reach St David’s, Britain’s smallest city and home to a beautiful cathedral plus a host of cute cafes, pubs and restaurants. The rugged coastline of St David’s peninsular provides fabulous hiking over the next few miles as you pass long sandy beaches, hidden coves and windswept bluffs before climbing the cliffs at Pwll Deri for outstanding ocean views.
The large harbour town of Goodwick and Fishguard offers a chance to stock up on supplies before you round the peninsular known as Dinas Island and negotiate the beautiful clifftop path to historic Newport, a precursor to the even more dramatic (and energy-sapping) clifftop walk on your final day.
View of Skomer Island
Hidden gems
Give your legs a rest at Martin’s Haven and ride the waves out to Skomer Island, a protected national nature reserve that’s home to a third of the world’s population of manx shearwaters as well as thousands upon thousands of indescribably cute puffins. No need to pre-book anything; just buy your morning boat ticket when you arrive.
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