Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Pembrokeshire Coast Path
St Dogmaels (north) to Amroth (south), West Wales
Distance
299 km
Duration
15–16 days (full route); many walk sections
Elevation gain
10,750 m
Difficulty
ModerateNo booking required — Free to walk; accommodation booked independently
Best season
April–October (May–June optimal for wildflowers and weather)
Check current trail conditions
Track closures, snow conditions, hut availability, and safety alerts update daily. Always check before departing.
About this trail
One of Britain's most spectacular coastal walks, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path follows the entire coastline of Britain's only coastal national park. The path hugs dramatic sea cliffs, crosses sheltered coves and sandy beaches, and passes through traditional fishing villages, Iron Age promontory forts, and some of the finest seabird colonies in Wales. In spring (April–June), the cliffs are carpeted with sea campion, thrift, and bluebells. Grey seals, porpoises, gannets, puffins, and choughs are commonly seen.
Highlights
- ✓St David's Head and Ramsey Island views — the far southwestern tip with dramatic cliffs
- ✓Strumble Head lighthouse — Atlantic grey seals and porpoises in the bay
- ✓Stack Rocks (Elegug Stacks) — two dramatic limestone pillars with guillemot colonies
- ✓Barafundle Bay — voted one of Britain's most beautiful beaches, car-free and pristine
- ✓Skomer Island (day trip from Martin's Haven) — puffin colony of 6,000+ pairs (April–July)
🚌 Getting there
St Dogmaels (north end): bus from Cardigan. Amroth (south end): bus to Tenby then train. Welsh transport links are improving — the Puffin Shuttle coastal bus runs sections of the path in summer.
🎒 What to bring
- ·Full waterproofs — Wales has wet weather year-round
- ·Tramping boots — 299km of coastal path includes some rough terrain
- ·Binoculars — wildlife spotting is a highlight
- ·Trekking poles for steep coastal ascents and descents
Hazards & safety
- ·Cliff paths: stay on the marked path and well back from cliff edges — cliff top erosion is ongoing and unpredictable.
- ·Pembrokeshire weather is extremely variable — full waterproofs are required even in summer.
- ·Tidal beaches: some sections of the path use beaches at low tide only — check tide times.
📋 Know before you go
- 1.The total elevation gain of 10,750m — more than walking up Everest — surprises many walkers. The constant ups and downs of coastal terrain are cumulative.
- 2.Skomer Island puffin visits must be booked in advance through Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. Day trips April–July only.
- 3.St David's (Britain's smallest city) is the natural midpoint and an excellent rest day location.
🚨 Emergency contacts
UK Emergency
999 or 112
RNLI (Coastal)
999 (ask for Coastguard)
Before you go
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Adventure insurance
Covers helicopter evacuation, search & rescue, and medical costs. Check your policy covers this trail's altitude or multi-day duration.
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Official sources
Trail information here covers stable facts — distances, difficulty, gear, and what to expect. Current conditions (closures, snow levels, hut availability, permit quota) change regularly and must be checked at the official source before you depart.
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