6-Day / 5-Night Gentle

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

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 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.

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.