10-Day / 9-Night Gentle

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 village has a handful of pubs and cafés, and the beach itself, 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. Starting from the quiet little village of Amroth, the opening kilometres are fairly easy as the trail alternates between the shoreline, woodland and clifftop, with fine views out over the waters of Carmarthen Bay. Once past the little seaside resort of Saundersfoot, the trail follows grassy clifftop paths and wooded valleys with regular ups and downs, revealing secluded coves, limestone cliffs and glimpses of Caldey Island, before descending to the golden sands of the charming seaside town of Tenby.

Passing the last of Tenby’s golden sand beaches, the trail climbs back to the clifftops and follows grassy paths along the limestone cliffs, revealing small signs of industrialisation from centuries past that once gave this coastline a quite different character. Keep an eye out for the remains of an old limestone kiln and an impressive steep-sided blowhole before descending to Lydstep beach. The trail then climbs back to the clifftops and the path grows more rugged as it continues past Skrinkle Haven, skirting around the Manorbier military range before returning to the cliff edge on the way to Manorbier Beach.

Starting at the beach just below the impressive castle at Manorbier, the trail quickly regains the clifftops. Take time to admire the dramatic strata, ridges and fissures in the sandstone cliffs, which display a striking range of colours. The trail continues along the sand dunes at the back of Freshwater East before climbing to the clifftops towards Stackpole and the lovely Barafundle beach. From Barafundle the path climbs back to the clifftop, continuing along Stackpole Head before dropping down to the beach at Broadhaven South. From there 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 past St Govan’s Chapel, hidden in a cleft in the cliffs.

Today’s hike passes the Castlemartin firing range, and the route depends on whether the range is open to the public. If it is open, the coastal path leads past St Govan’s Chapel and across the flat clifftops to the Elegug Stacks, dramatic limestone pillars rising from the sea and home to colonies of guillemots and razorbills, with seals often visible in the water below. The route continues to 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 for the night.

This short day is an easy introduction to the wilder and more rugged northern part of your tour. 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. Today’s hike offers a wonderful variety of coastal scenery, and the opening kilometres are relatively gentle as the trail winds along low clifftops and dips down to a succession of small, sheltered coves. From the historic Druidstone, you pass reminders of a coal mining past before the path eventually opens out onto the sweeping expanse of Newgale Sands, one of the finest beaches on the Pembrokeshire coast. From here, a transfer will bring you to your accommodation.

Today’s route follows a superb section of rugged coastal cliffs with a delightful half-way stop at Solva. Beyond Newgale, the trail climbs more steeply before dropping into the quiet valley of Cwm Mawr, then settles onto the cliff path as it passes the headland of Dinas Fawr. Visit the hidden beach at Gwadn at the entrance to Solva Harbour, before the trail climbs up to the Gribin, a rocky headland and ancient settlement guarding the entrance to the estuary. From there, the walk reveals the unspoilt harbour and the colourful cluster of houses that is Solva – one of the most charming harbours on the Welsh coast. Leaving Solva, you climb along the northern side of the harbour and back onto the cliffs, where the remains of an Iron Age promontory fort offer an early taste of the ancient history woven into this coastline. The route continues along rugged and spectacular cliffs, before reaching a second 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.

You return to the coast via quiet field paths that guide you to St Non’s, birthplace of St David himself. From there, cliffs and dramatic views lead you to the sheltered little harbour of Porthclais, with its lime kilns, colourful boats and welcome café kiosk. Beyond Porthclais, the coastline grows wilder as the path approaches Ramsey Sound, where a churning tidal current separates the mainland from Ramsey Island, a bird sanctuary and haven for grey seals. From St Justinian, with its picturesque lifeboat station perched above the water, the cliffs gradually lower towards the beautiful expanse of Whitesands Bay, with its surfers, beach sauna and café. A short transfer brings you back to St Davids.

Leaving St Davids, the trail follows quiet fields and lanes before arriving back at the beautiful expanse of Whitesands Bay. From here the path rounds St Davids Head, one of the most dramatic headlands on the Welsh coast, passing the ancient stone ramparts of Clawdd y Milwyr, the Warriors’ Dyke, which once defended a clifftop stronghold three thousand years ago. Continuing along the headland, a Neolithic dolmen perches on the ridge above the sea, the great rocky mass of Carn Llidi towering behind it. The trail then turns inland, climbing over the shoulder of the hill before quiet paths, tracks and lanes guide you back towards St Davids, where – without entering the city – you arrive at the beautiful ensemble of old lanes, river, Bishop’s Palace and the glorious cathedral.

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.