Guidance

Pembrokeshire Coast Path: National Trail

Published 24 June 2026

Applies to England and Wales

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is a 186-mile (299km) National Trail through South West Wales’ coastline. The trail goes through Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and coastal landscapes including cliff tops, coves, beaches and estuaries.

It’s also part of the Wales Coast Path.

About the trail

The trail goes between:

• St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire
• Amroth, Pembrokeshire

You can choose to walk the entire trail, a specific section or two, or find local circular walks that follow some of the trail.

You can find some circular and linear walks on the National Trails website.

When to visit

The trail is open all year.

Signposts on the trail

All National Trails are marked with an acorn symbol or the trail name. You’ll see these along the trail, for example on gates and signposts.

On the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, you may also see a dragon shell on signs, which is the symbol for the Wales Coast Path.

Walking the whole trail

• Length: 186 miles (299km)
• Time to complete: around 12 days - if you walk 15 miles (24km) a day

You can walk the trail in either direction. Signposts show the route in both directions so you can choose.

Lots of people walk the trail north to south, from St Dogmaels to Amroth. Most of the guidebooks are written in this direction, and the gates or stiles along the trail are numbered in this direction.

Accessibility on the trail

There are steep and hilly sections throughout the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. The section from St Dogmaels to Newport has many steep hills. The whole trail involves a total ascent and descent of 11,000m (35,000 feet).

At low tide you can walk on some of the beaches, and also hire beach wheelchairs.

You can find information on the Pembrokeshire National Coast website about:

• walks for all
• free hire of beach wheelchairs and all-terrain equipment
• easy access viewpoints which can be reached by car and have a parking area or lay-by
• viewing the Pembrokeshire Coast Path on Google Street View

You can also find more information about accessibility on the trail from Natural Resources Wales, including:    

• which sections of the National Trails in Wales are suitable for everyone, including people who use a wheelchair
• other walks that may be suitable for users of adaptive equipment

What you can experience on the trail

There are many things you can experience on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, including:

• wildlife – such as seals, gannets and porpoises from the headland of St David’s Head
• historic and heritage sites, such as the Strumble Head Lighthouse, St Govan’s Chapel and the Blue Lagoon, a flooded slate quarry
• nature reserves – such as Bosherston Lily Ponds
• local culture, food and entertainment

Some of the towns and villages you may go through or near are:

• St David’s
• Solva
• Pembroke
• Tenby
• Fishguard
• Newport

Sections of the trail

You can break the trail into sections that you can walk in a day, or that give you time to visit specific things on or near the trail.    

There’s an example below, but you can find more information online and in guidebooks to help plan your route.

St Dogmaels to Newport – 15.5 miles (25.7km)

This section of the trail has many steep hills and can be challenging. You can split this section into two if you stop at Moylgrove.

There are no services between Poppit Sands and Newport Sands, so you should carry enough food, water and supplies with you.

Newport to Fishguard – 12 miles (19.3km)

The cliffs on this section are lower, mostly around 40m. The elevation at Dinas Head rises to 142m, but you can avoid this by taking a level valley route.

In Fishguard look for the acorn symbol, which may be high up on signs and posts, as these show the recommended route through the town.

Fishguard to Pwll Deri – 9 miles (14.5km)

There are steep hills on this section, with cliffs mostly between 30m and 70m high.

There are grazing livestock along this section, like most of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. You should follow local signs and keep your dog on a lead or in sight.

Pwll Deri to Porthgain – 12 miles (19.3km)

On this section of the trail there are cliffs where coastal erosion is taking place. The route of the trail is continually reviewed for safety.

There are no stiles on this section.

Porthgain to Whitesands – 10 miles (16.1km)

This section is remote with some steep hills. The trail goes above high cliffs and beneath the outcrops of Pen Beri, Carn Lleithyr and Carn Llidi. There are some places for food and drink in Abereiddi and Whitesands, but the trail in between is remote with few facilities.

Whitesands to Solva – 13 miles (20.9km)

This section has no stiles. There are places for food and drink, shops and accommodation in St David’s and Solva.

This area is popular for short and circular walks, as there are many access points and a bus service.

Solva to Broad Haven – 12 miles (19.3km)

There are no stiles on this section.

Northwest of Newgale there’s a series of very steep hills. South of Newgale there’s a series of less steep hills and the trail passes through The Havens.

Broad Haven to Martin’s Haven – 11 miles (17.7km)

There are no stiles on this section. This route is coastal and steep in places.

The trail goes through the village of Little Haven and the bay at St Brides.

Martin’s Haven to Dale – 10 miles (16.1km)

This section is mostly flat and there are no stiles on this section. There’s an occasional short climb out of steep valleys. The trail starts on the Atlantic coast, with views of the islands of Skomer, Skokholm and Grassholm, and ends in Milford Haven waterway.

There are places for food and drink, and accommodation, in Marloes and Dale.

It’s a popular area for short and circular walks, as there are many access points.

Dale to Neyland – 16 miles (25.7km)

This section has no stiles but has 2 tidal crossings, so you should check time times before you set off. There’s an alternative route you can take during high tide, which has one stile just south of Herbrandston.

Neyland to Angle – 16 miles (25.7km)

From Neyland the trail crosses the Milford Haven Waterway using the Cleddau Bridge. It goes through Pembroke and follows the estuary to Angle. This section of the trail has many sections of woodland.

Angle to Freshwater West – 10 miles (16.1km)

This section is entirely coastal and remote. There are no amenities or roads, no stiles and most areas have no mobile phone coverage.

Freshwater West to Broad Haven South – 10 miles (16.1km)

This section of the Pembrokeshire coast path goes near the Castlemartin Range training area. There are no stiles on this section.

The coast at Range West, between Freshwater West and Elugug Stacks (known as Stack Rocks), is always closed to the general public.

At Range East, the trail along the coast is closed to the public when ‘firing’ activities take place but is available on bank holidays, throughout August most weekends and evenings but times will vary depending on operational requirements. During these times, there is an alternative route known as the ‘range trail’ you can take between Castlemartin and Bosherston.

To plan your route, you should check the firing times at Castlemartin Range or telephone 01646 662367.

Broad Haven South to Skrinkle Haven – 11 miles (17.7km)

There are several places for food and drink along this section, including at Stackpole Quay, Freshwater East and Manorbier. The trail also passes by the Bosherston Lily Ponds National Nature Reserve.

Skrinkle Haven to Amroth – 14 miles (22.5km)

This is often the busiest section of the trail with many beaches. There are shops and places for food and drink in Tenby. There are no stiles on this section.

Maps for the trail

You can find:

• a map on the National Trails website - you can also download GPX data
• other maps and guidebooks online and in print
• circular and linear walks online and from the local council or National Parks Authority

The Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer maps that cover the Pembrokeshire Coast Path are:

• OL35 North Pembrokeshire
• OL36 South Pembrokeshire

Diversions or closures on the trail

You may find minor diversions, seasonal or tidal changes to the route. These will be clearly signposted and you should always follow the signposts on the trail.

Prepare for your visit

Read guidance on how to prepare for your visit for information on:

• checking the route – including for diversions or closures
• planning your trip
• what to prepare before you set off
• what to do on the trail

Contact

Use the relevant National Trails online form to:

• report a problem
• ask a question about accessibility on the trail
• find out about volunteering opportunities

Contact the local council to report a problem on a public right of way, for example obstructions, poor maintenance or a misleading sign.