Pembrokeshire Coast Path

About this trail

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path traces the wild Atlantic edge of southwest Wales from St Dogmaels, near Cardigan, to the ancient cathedral city of Saint Davids, passing through a succession of wind-scoured headlands, hidden coves, and small harbours such as Porthgain and Trefin. The route moves through the heart of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, where clifftops drop sharply into churning grey-green seas and the landscape alternates between open heathland, grazed farmland, and bare rock. This is one of Britain's finest coastal walks, offering raw, exposed scenery and an ever-present sense of the sea that rarely lets up. The terrain is deceptively demanding — the path rises and falls continuously as it negotiates each headland and bay, accumulating considerably more ascent than the linear distance suggests, so daily stages should be planned conservatively. Newport, Fishguard and Goodwick, and Saint Davids provide accommodation, food, and water resupply; the stretches between these settlements are remote and largely unsupported. The route is waymarked throughout with the National Trail acorn symbol and is straightforward to follow in clear visibility. Late spring offers the best combination of settled weather, blooming coastal wildflowers, and quieter paths; winter brings Atlantic gales and greasy rock surfaces that make clifftop sections genuinely hazardous. Stay alert to coastal erosion — the path edge can be unstable after storm damage, and reroutes are not uncommon.