The Best Pembrokeshire Coast Walks

With 260 miles (418 km) of coastline to its name, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is packed with stunning seaside scenery – and there’s no better way to explore than by heading out for a walk. 

This park has something for everyone, whatever your age, ability and available time. Intrepid hikers with plenty of time on their hands can head tackle the full 186-mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path, or try out some of the routes in our Pembrokeshire Coast hiking article. At the other end of the spectrum, there are plenty of easy-access routes that are suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs, giving everyone the chance to enjoy this fabulous area. Whatever you're after, the national park’s walking page, which lists over 200 circular walks in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, is a great source of information and ideas.

In this article, we’ll focus on some of the easier Pembrokeshire Coast walks, including several options for circular walks and some routes that will suit families and casual walkers.

The best walk in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

With so much spectacular coastal scenery around, choosing just one spot to feature as Pembrokeshire’s best walk is a hard task indeed. However, this route from Bosherston won the coveted top spot for its variety, its adaptability and the facilities available along the way. 

Bosherston to St Govan’s

Start/end: Bosherston

Distance: 4 miles (7 km)

There are several options for getting to the start of this walk in the village of Bosherston – there are a couple of car parks there, and it’s also served by buses, making this a good option for those travelling by public transport. Public toilets, a café and a pub are all handy pre- or post-walk facilities too.

This four-mile circular walk is best done in the anti-clockwise direction so that you’ve got the sea ahead of you for the first section. You’ll get to the coast at St Govan’s Chapel, a hermit’s cell built into a scenic spot in the cliffs, before picking up the coast path to head along to the soft sands to Broad Haven South beach, a fabulous spot for a paddle and/or a picnic. Finish up by walking along the pretty boardwalks of the Bosherston lily ponds, looking out for wildlife including dragonflies along the way – if you’re lucky you might even spot an otter.

Local tip: The lily ponds are at their best when the flowers bloom in June, but they’re gorgeous to visit at any time of year. If you don’t want to do this full walk, try the shorter mile-long trail running from the car park to the beach and back.

Circular walks in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Our team of outdoor enthusiasts at Pitchup are particularly fond of a circular walking trail – for logistical reasons, a loop that takes you back to where you started is by far the simplest way to do a walk. Handily, the scenery of this area lends itself very well to loop routes, especially those that take in part of the coast path. We’ve picked out a few of our favourite Pembrokeshire Coast circular walks here to give you some inspiration.

Dinas Island circular walk

Start/end: Cwm-yr-Eglwys

Distance: 3 miles (4.5 km)

The lovely three-mile loop from the pretty hamlet of Cwm-yr-Eglwys out to Dinas Island is one of the best short circular walks in Pembrokeshire. There are a couple of climbs and some steps and stiles to negotiate, and the coast path can be rocky in places, so it’s a moderate-difficulty trail rather than an easy one, but there’s nothing too hard here so it should be suitable for most walkers.

Dinas Island isn’t actually an island – it’s a headland, so you won’t cross any water to get there. The trail runs around the full circuit of the headland, so it’s got some fabulous views along the way, including sweeping vistas of the bay and the chance to spot seabirds nesting on Needle Rock in early summer. The trig point at the Dinas Head summit is the best place for great sea and cliff views.

Local tip: Finish your walk with a paddle in the sea at Cwm-yr-Eglwys beach and some time exploring the remains of the old chapel.

Solva and Gribyn walk

Start/end: Solva

Distance: 0.8 miles (1.3 km)

The pretty village of Solva is a popular favourite with visitors, who come here to explore the historic fishing village, see boats bobbing in the harbour and eat in harbourside cafés and pubs. A short circular walk from the village centre out onto the Gribyn headland is a good way to explore some of the coastal scenery beyond the village, and work up an appetite for a meal or drink upon your return.

With only a couple of steep-ish sections and no stiles to navigate, this walk is suitable for kids and dogs, although you’ll need to keep a close eye on them on the cliff path sections.

Local tip: The national park authority has produced a handy leaflet detailing several short circular walks from Solva – choose one or combine two or three for a longer day out. More active walkers can also pick up the coast path for the route to St Davids (which takes about two hours).

Carew Castle and Tidal Mill

Start/end: Carew Castle car park

Distance: 2.5 miles (4 km)

With more castles per square mile than any other country, Wales is known as the ‘castle capital of the world’ – so we couldn’t possibly not feature a castle walk on this list. Carew Castle is one of Pembrokeshire’s real gems, set next to a large tidal pool that produces stunning reflections on a sunny day.

This family-friendly circular walk is fairly flat, taking you along footpaths and quiet lanes as you head along the water’s edge and through woodland to the village of Carew Cheriton. You’ll get some nice views of both the castle and the tidal mill as you walk, and you can combine this loop with a visit to the castle itself if you like (you’ll need to pay for a ticket for this part).

Local tip: If you’d like to visit more Pembrokeshire castles, there are also lovely short circular walks that take in Pembroke Castle and Manorbier Castle.

St Davids, St Non’s and Porthclais loop

Start/end: St Davids

Distance: 3.5 miles (5.5 km)

Britain’s smallest city, St Davids, sits on a Pembrokeshire peninsula, with numerous lanes, footpaths and trails running to nearby beaches, coves and coastal attractions. This 3.5-mile circular walk takes in a couple of the best coastal spots near St Davids, without demanding too much effort from walkers.

You’ll first make your way to St Non’s Chapel, a tiny and atmospheric place overlooking the sea, before heading along the coast path to the pretty harbour at Porthclais. Head back along farm tracks to reach the city for a meal, drink or ice cream at one of the many cafés, shops, pubs or restaurants.

Local tip: As it’s so small, St Davids itself is also easily walkable – strolling from Oriel y Parc Gallery & Visitor Centre at one end of the city to the cathedral and Bishop’s Palace at the other should only take about 15 minutes.

Skrinkle Haven circular walk

Start/end: Lydstep

Distance: 2.3 miles (3.7 km)

If you’re staying in Tenby or Saundersfoot, have a go at this scenic trail, which is surely one of the best circular walks in the eastern part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The coast path is a bit rocky and steep in places but the views are really rewarding, and there are plenty of places to stop for a rest. A bus runs from Tenby to Lydstep, so you can get to the start by public transport (or make this a longer day out by walking from Tenby and getting the bus home.

The soaring sandstone cliffs of Skrinkle Haven beach are your end point here, but the highlight for most walkers is Church Doors Cove, named after the tall, narrow rock arch at the centre of the beach. There’s a long flight of sturdy steps to get down there, but it’s well worth the detour to see the arch up close. 

Local tip: Check the tide times before you go and time your walk around low tide – this is the best time to see the sands of Skrinkle Haven, and the only time you can get onto the beach at Church Doors Cove. Be aware of the incoming tide to make sure you don’t get caught by the rising waters.

More great Pembrokeshire Coast National Park walks

There’s certainly no shortage of fantastic walks in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, so we’ve picked out a few more great paths here for you to try out.

Stackpole Quay to Barafundle Bay

Start/end: Stackpole Quay 

Distance: 1 mile (1.5 km) out and back

With its sweeping golden sands, clear waters and tree-clad cliffs for shelter, Barafundle Bay is a real stunner. It often features on lists of the world’s best beaches, and is certainly one of Pembrokeshire’s best beaches. At just half a mile, the walk from the nearest car park is not a long one but it’s enough to build a sense of anticipation for the eventual view of the gorgeous beach.

There’s a fairly long flight of steps to get down to the beach, so this path isn’t suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs, but it should be fine for most walkers (including children). If you’d like to include Barafundle on a longer walk, continue along the coast path to Broad Haven South and then turn inland to explore the Bosherston lily ponds (or follow the circular trail outlined above).

Local tip: This is probably one of the best short family walks in Pembrokeshire – just remember that you’ll need to pack fairly light as anything you take has to be carried back up the steps! For more child-friendly days out, check out our suggestions for Pembrokeshire family activities.

Cwm Gwaun walk

Start/end: Pontfaen

Distance: 2.6 miles (4 km)

Although the national park is mostly centred around the coastal scenery, it does stretch inland a little way, and it’s well worth straying from the seaside for a while to bring a bit of variety to your Pembrokeshire walks. Created by retreating waters during the Ice Age and filled with ancient woods, the Gwaun Valley is a spectacular setting for a short walk.

You can access the valley from Lower Fishguard or follow this 2.6-mile trail from Pontfaen – either way, you’ll be walking in an area that’s rich in wildlife and has some prehistoric sights dotted around as well as gorgeous river views.

Local tip: This is an area with a strong sense of Welsh heritage – it still traditionally conforms to the ancient Julian calendar rather than the modern Gregorian one – so be ready to trade your usual ‘hello’ for ‘bore da’ while greeting local walkers.

Pentre Ifan Wood walk

Start/end: Pentre Ifan car park

Distance: 2 miles (3 km)

The well-preserved Pentre Ifan burial chamber is one of Pembrokeshire’s best historic sights – and while you can just park nearby and take a quick look at the ancient stones, you’ll get a much better sense of the place and its surroundings by following this easy two-mile trail through the woods while you’re here.

You’ll start by passing the 5500-year-old monument with its five-metre capstone, before heading into the woods to follow a trail running among ancient oaks and around 400 species of lichen. It goes without saying that this is a thriving area for wildlife, so it’s important to stick to the trails and leave no trace while you’re walking.

Local tip: If you’d like to see more of the area’s ancient history, stop by at the nearby Carreg Coetan Arthur chambered tomb while you’re here – it’s less well known, but made of the same bluestone as Pentre Ifan (and indeed Stonehenge).

Tips for walking in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

The walks suggested here are all fairly straightforward, so shouldn’t require too much preparation, but it’s always worth taking a few steps to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable walk.

• The coast path is made up of varied surfaces, including rocky sections, grass and woodland areas, so you’ll need comfortable shoes with good grip.

• Being in an exposed area on the western edge of Wales, the weather can change very quickly, so always be ready with both sun cream and wet-weather gear.

• If walking by the coast, be wary of getting too close to the edge – the views can sometimes be distracting, and you’ll need to be careful when taking photos.

• GPS-based apps such as AllTrails are great, but be aware that reception can be patchy in Pembrokeshire, so an offline map option (either on your phone or in hard copy) is a very good thing to have as backup.

• Support local cafés and shops with your custom where you can, but always carry water and snacks to keep you going in case you find them closed.

• Stick to marked paths for your own safety and to protect the surroundings, and keep dogs on a lead (especially around livestock or on the coast path).

• Always follow the Countryside Code, take your litter home and leave no trace.

Planning your Pembrokeshire break

The scenery of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is spectacular, and getting out for a walk – whether short or longer – is a great way to explore. You can also extend your time in the open air by staying at a Pembrokeshire Coast campsite – whether you go for a basic farm campsite or a comfortable glampsite, an outdoor stay is a wonderful way to make the most of this wonderful scenery right through to nightfall, and often puts you in a great location for getting out onto nearby walking trails.