6-Day / 5-Night Challenging

From your point of arrival, use the public transport information we provide to make the journey to Amroth or Tenby. 

Amroth is a small, quiet seaside village at the southern tip of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, where a long shingle and sand beach marks the official start of the Coast Path. The beach, with its submerged prehistoric forest visible at low tide, offers a fascinating first glimpse of a coastline rich in history and natural character.

Tenby is one of the most characterful and beautifully preserved seaside towns in Wales. Enclosed by medieval walls and perched above two sweeping golden beaches, Tenby has been welcoming visitors since the Victorian era and shows no sign of losing its charm. With its colourful harbour, excellent restaurants and cafés, independent shops and a wealth of history to explore, it makes for a wonderful overnight stay.

This first hike offers a varied and beautiful introduction to the Pembrokeshire coast. The first few kilometres alternate between the shoreline, woodland and clifftop, with fine views out over Carmarthen Bay. Once past the little seaside resort of Saundersfoot, you follow grassy clifftop paths and wooded valleys before descending to the charming seaside town of Tenby.

After passing its golden beaches, the trail climbs back to the limestone cliffs. Keep an eye out for the remains of an old limestone kiln and a steep-sided blowhole before descending towards Lydstep beach. The trail then grows more rugged as it continues past Skrinkle Haven and skirting the Manorbier military range before returning to the cliff edge on the way to Manorbier Beach.

The trail quickly regains the clifftop and then continues along the sand dunes at Freshwater East and onwards to the lovely Barafundle beach. From Stackpole Head you drop down to the beach at Broadhaven South where the trail offers two options to Bosherston: a shorter route via the famous lily ponds, or, if the military range is open, a longer coastal route.

If the Castlemartin range is open, the coastal path leads past St Govan’s Chapel and across the flat clifftops to the Elegug Stacks and the Green Bridge of Wales, one of the most impressive natural arches in Britain, before heading inland towards Castlemartin. If the range is closed, the trail leads inland from Bosherston, skirting the edges of the firing range through farmland towards Castlemartin.

Both routes meet just past Merrion Barracks and continue to Castlemartin and on to the golden sands and expansive views of Freshwater West. From Freshwater West, a transfer brings you to your accommodation.

A transfer brings you to Broad Haven, its lovely beach tucked into the southern corner of St Brides Bay, a great arc of coastline that will accompany you for the next two days. The trail winds along low clifftops and dips down to a succession of small, sheltered coves before the path eventually opens out onto the sweeping expanse of Newgale Sands. 

Beyond Newgale, the route follows a superb section of rugged coastal cliffs. At the entrance to Solva Harbour, the trail climbs up to a rocky headland and ancient settlement guarding the entrance to the estuary. There,  the walk reveals the unspoilt harbour and the colourful cluster of houses that is Solva.The route continues along rugged and spectacular cliffs, before reaching a promontory fort that crowns the headland at Caerfai Bay. From there, it is just a short walk into the tiny, charming cathedral city of St Davids.

Leaving St Davids, you follow quiet field paths to St Non’s, birthplace of St David himself, before the coast path drops down to the sheltered little harbour of Porthclais. The coastline grows wilder as the route approaches Ramsey Sound, where the churning tidal current separates the mainland from Ramsey Island, a bird sanctuary and haven for grey seals. The cliffs get gradually lower as you approach the beautiful expanse of Whitesands Bay.

The trail then rounds St Davids Head, one of the most dramatic headlands on the Welsh coast, and the coastline becomes more remote as the path makes its way past a succession of coves and clifftops. After Abereiddy and the extraordinary Blue Lagoon, the final stretch follows the cliff path into the picture-perfect harbour village of Porthgain. From there, a transfer brings you back to your accommodation.

There are regular bus services from St Davids to Haverfordwest, from where onward train connections are available to Cardiff and other destinations in the UK. Your hosts can usually provide the most accurate local details, but if you need additional guidance, our team is happy to help.