3
moderate
Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • hotels and Guesthouses
Meals
  • 5 Breakfasts

6 Days£860GBP

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: WEP

Exploring the Pembrokeshire Coast on Foot Trip highlights

  • Walk one of the finest sections of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
  • Discover dramatic cliffs, hidden coves & sandy beaches
  • Spot puffins, seals and spectacular coastal wildlife
  • Settle into St David's with a pint in an old pub near the cathedral
  • Shorter itinerary with gentler days and flexible walking pace
  • Option to visit Skomer and Ramsey Islands

Stretching for 186 miles / 299km around the wild south-west corner of Wales, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is one of Britain's most spectacular coastal walks. This shorter Exploring itinerary showcases its most dramatic section, following the coastline from the peaceful village of Marloes to the tiny cathedral city of St Davids, Britain's smallest city, with some shorter days making it less challenging than the main route.

Every day brings a new perspective as you walk through Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, where rugged sea cliffs, hidden sandy coves, flower-filled headlands and sweeping Atlantic views create an ever-changing landscape. Offshore islands rise from the sea, historic lighthouses guard rocky headlands, and quiet fishing villages provide welcoming places to pause along the way.

Wildlife is one of the great rewards of walking here. In spring and early summer the cliffs are alive with thousands of nesting seabirds, including puffins, gannets, fulmars, kittiwakes and terns, while peregrine falcons and the rare red-billed chough patrol the coastline. From late August to November, grey and harbour seals can often be seen resting on secluded beaches or swimming in the sheltered bays below the cliffs. If wildlife is a priority, consider adding extra nights in Marloes or St Davids to join boat trips to the internationally renowned islands of Skomer and Ramsey to see the puffins in early summer and other seabirds later in the year.

The trail is well waymarked and, while coastal weather can change quickly, temperatures during the walking season are generally mild. Combining dramatic scenery, abundant wildlife and a rich Celtic heritage, it's easy to understand why the Pembrokeshire Coast Path has been recognised by National Geographic as one of the world's finest long-distance walks.

Countries:

Wales

Starting Point:

Marloes

Finishing Point:

St. Davids

Itinerary

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A transfer is included from Haverfordwest railway station to Marloes, a charming Welsh village with a traditional pub and picturesque clock tower. Surrounded on three sides by the sea, it is the perfect base for exploring this beautiful stretch of the Pembrokeshire Coast, with spectacular cliff scenery and sandy beaches including St Brides Haven and the expansive Marloes Sands. Just beyond the village lies Martin's Haven, where boats depart for Skomer Island, one of Britain's most important seabird sanctuaries. Between April and late July, we highly recommend adding an extra night in Marloes to visit the island, home to thousands of puffins, Manx shearwaters and other nesting seabirds. The crossing takes around 15 minutes, leaving approximately 4.5 hours to explore the island's walking trails and abundant wildlife. In spring, Skomer is carpeted with bluebells, while sea pinks colour the cliffs in early summer. Later in the year, grey seals are often seen around the island. Ferries usually operate four times daily, weather permitting, and Martin's Haven is a pleasant 3.5 km / 2.2 mile walk from Marloes. Optional: We can arrange an additional night in Marloes if you wish to visit Skomer Island (supplement applies). As ferry tickets are very popular and numbers are limited, we recommend requesting this when booking. Accommodation: Overnight in a friendly B&B in Marloes.

Meals:  Nil

The coastal drama begins as you round Nab Head, where sweeping views open across St Bride's Bay. The trail continues along spectacular clifftops high above the sea before descending to the sheltered cove of St Bride's Haven, overlooked by its distinctive hillside church and offering the only real shelter if the weather turns. Beyond the bay, the path stays close to the cliff edge, rising and falling gently with only occasional pockets of woodland breaking the open coastal scenery. Rocky headlands, hidden coves and expansive sea views accompany you all the way to the picturesque fishing village of Little Haven, clustered around a small sandy beach. From here, it is a further 0.8 km / 0.5 miles along the coast to Broad Haven, where a broad sandy beach, cafés and shops provide a fitting end to today's walk. Accommodation: Overnight in a B&B with sea views.

Meals:  B

Leaving Broad Haven, the trail climbs onto dramatic clifftops with superb coastal views, passing hidden coves and beaches before heading inland of Druidston Haven to the picturesque village of Nolton Haven, an ideal place for a coffee break. The path then descends onto the expansive sands of Newgale Beach, a two-mile / 3.2 km stretch popular with surfers and kite surfers. It's a great spot to pause for lunch at the Duke of Edinburgh pub overlooking the beach before continuing. From Newgale, the trail climbs once more, following an undulating coastline of rugged cliffs and sweeping sea views before descending to cross a small bridge at a pebbly cove. A final steep climb and descent brings you to Solva, one of the Pembrokeshire Coast's most attractive villages. Its picturesque harbour is tucked behind a protective curve of cliffs, creating one of the most distinctive natural harbours on the Welsh coast. Most accommodation is located in the upper part of the village. Optional: If you prefer shorter walking days, we can arrange an additional night in Roch, approximately 2 km / 1.2 miles inland from Newgale. This divides the walk into two stages of around 8 km / 5 miles and 10 km / 6 miles (approximate). Accommodation: In Solva we use a quiet Georgian B&B with full Welsh breakfast and vegetarian options. In Roche we use a small pub hotel with modern rooms

Meals:  B

Today's shorter walk gives you plenty of time to explore St Davids, Britain's smallest city. Leaving the picturesque harbour at Solva, a drowned river valley (ria) formed when sea levels rose after the last Ice Age, you'll climb steeply back to the coast path before following dramatic cliffs past a series of small offshore islands. The route then descends to the sheltered sands of Caerfai Bay before a gentle climb into St Davids. Spend the afternoon exploring this historic city, visiting the magnificent St Davids Cathedral and the impressive ruins of the 14th-century Bishop's Palace. If you'd like to experience more of Pembrokeshire's exceptional wildlife, consider a boat trip to Ramsey Island. Depending on the season, you may spot seals, seabirds, dolphins and even puffins. Boats depart from St Justinians Harbour, which can be reached by the regular 403 bus from St Davids or on foot in around 45 minutes. Please note that Thousand Islands Expeditions generally offers a morning landing trip on Ramsey Island, while Voyages of Discovery operates shorter sightseeing cruises, including afternoon departures. If you would like to spend more time exploring Ramsey Island, we recommend adding an extra night in St Davids. Accommodation: Overnight in an attractive guesthouse with stylish rooms arranged around a peaceful courtyard.

Meals:  B

A spectacular final walk begins by taking the regular 403 bus (approximately every two hours) or a 45-minute walk to Whitesands Bay, where you rejoin the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, this time heading south. Passing the cliffs of Porthselau Bay and rounding St John's Point, you'll enjoy magnificent views across the turbulent waters to Ramsey Island, where strong tidal currents race through the narrow sound. From late summer into autumn, keep an eye out for grey seals and their pups resting on the rocky shores below. Continue past St Justinians lifeboat station before crossing remote coastal heathland to the peaceful cove of Porthlysgi. The trail then reaches the historic harbour inlet of Porthclais, lined with the remains of old lime kilns and a pleasant spot for a coffee or ice cream break. The final section follows the coast past St Non's Bay, where you'll pass the ruins of St Non's Chapel and its ancient holy well, before returning via Caerfai Bay for the final 1 km / 0.6 miles back into St Davids. Optional: This walk can be shortened to approximately 11 km / 7 miles by finishing at Porthclais and taking the 403 bus back to St Davids. Accommodation: A second night in St Davids.

Meals:  B

Arrangements end after breakfast. Depart St. Davids for your onward journey. Take a local bus to Fishguard or Haverford West to join the rail network for connections to the rest of the UK.

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 5 breakfasts
  • 16 nights twin share accommodation in inns, B&Bs/pubs, small hotels with ensuite facilities where possible.
  • One piece of luggage per person transferred from Inn to Inn, not exceeding 20kg
  • Digital information pack including Navigational App, maps and route notes
  • Emergency hotline
  • Transfer from Haverford West train station to Marloes

  • Dinners, lunches and drinks
  • Entrance Fees
  • Travel Insurance
  • Travel to the start and from the end point of the tour
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
  • Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
  • Guide - this is a self guided holiday
  • Optional boat trips

Accommodation

Inns, B&Bs and Hotels

You will stay in a range of hotels, inns and guesthouses, all chosen for their local character, proximity to the walking route and comfort. Rooms will usually have private bathrooms, TVs, and tea and coffee making facilities. A Welsh breakfast will usually be served. Note that for the dates of your tour, we may not be able to get you into the accommodation described. We will endeavour to get you into a similar standard of accommodation nearby, but please appreciate that there are limited options in parts of rural Wales. Although we aim to get ensuite rooms, this is not always possible in some of the smaller and more traditional B&Bs where despite limited facilities, the welcome remains warm!

Trail Surface

Clifftop paths & country trails

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path uses a mix of trails, including grassy clifftop paths, compacted earth tracks and stone steps on steeper sections. You will also encounter short stretches of sand near beaches, rocky paths around headlands and occasional quiet lanes through villages. After rain, some grassy and earth sections can become muddy and slippery, so sturdy walking boots and care underfoot are recommended.

Suitability

moderate

3

This trip is graded Moderate. Daily walks range from approximately 7 to 18 km (4.5 to 11 miles), following the well-waymarked Pembrokeshire Coast Path along dramatic clifftops, sandy beaches and sheltered coves. The trail is undulating, with frequent ascents and descents as it drops to sea level before climbing back to the coastal headlands. One of the longer walking days can be split with an overnight stay in Roch, creating a more relaxed pace if preferred. Paths are generally well maintained but can be rocky, uneven and muddy after rain. Good walking boots are recommended, and you should be comfortable walking on hilly coastal terrain for consecutive days.

Departure dates

Daily from 29 Mar to 29 Sep

Notes

DN1
18-day itinerary available covering the full route (code WPC).

Priceper person from

£860GBP

Options & Supplements*
    *Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

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This trip gives you the chance to experience parts of one of Britain’s most spectacular coastal trails, with all the planning taken care of. You can focus on the scenery, wildlife and sense of journey, rather than daily logistics. Your accommodation is arranged in welcoming coastal towns and villages, luggage is transferred for you, and each stage is carefully planned to balance challenge with enjoyment. Along the way, you experience dramatic clifftop walking, rich wildlife, historic towns and a constantly changing coastline, all within a protected national park.

This walk is suitable for fit and active walkers who are comfortable walking for several hours a day. Daily distances are moderate , with the longest day at approx 18km/11 miles, and the route includes frequent ascents and descents along clifftop paths, as well as uneven ground. While there is no technical terrain, a good level of stamina and sure-footedness is important.

Yes, you can visit Skomer Island to see its famous puffin colony, but you will need to arrange an additional night in Marloes to allow enough time for the boat crossing and your visit. Puffins are typically present from April to July, with May and June offering the best opportunities to see them at close range as they nest along the island’s cliffs. Outside of these months, Skomer remains a rewarding wildlife destination, known for its seabirds, wildflowers and coastal scenery. Boats to Skomer depart from Martin’s Haven, a short distance from Marloes. Sailings are weather dependent and places are limited, so advance booking is strongly recommended. Tickets are released by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and must be booked directly with them online prior to your visit.

If you would like to include a visit to Skomer Island, please let us know when booking your walk so we can arrange the additional overnight stay in Marloes and adjust your itinerary accordingly. Note however that boats cannot land in rough weather and we cannot be responsible for cancellations

You will walk on a varied mix of grassy clifftop paths, compacted earth tracks, rocky sections and stone steps, with occasional sandy stretches near beaches. Some short sections follow quiet lanes or village paths. After rain, parts of the trail can be muddy and slippery, so good walking boots are essential.

You stay in a range of welcoming B&Bs, guesthouses and small hotels in coastal towns and villages. Accommodation is chosen for comfort, location and walker-friendly hospitality, with easy access to evening meals and the trail. Due to the demand and limited supply of accommodation available in the area. it may be necessary on occasion to spend 2 nights in one place with taxi transfers to the trailhead (own expense). We strongly recommend booking many months in advance.

Exploring the Pembrokeshire Coast on Foot Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been exploring the world on foot for over five decades, and our passion for walking runs deep. Having hiked nearly every corner of Europe, we take pride in sharing the joy, freedom and perspective that only travelling on foot can bring, all with the exceptional service and care our travellers know us for.

Great Value & Quality

Our trips offer excellent value for money, with everything you need for a seamless walking holiday. Each package includes detailed route notes, maps and navigation app, luggage transfers, and comfortable locally run accommodation. We take care of the planning, so you can simply enjoy the walk.

Self-Guided Specialists

We've been operating self-guided active holidays since 1973, taking care of every detail so you can relax and explore at your own pace. With many walking and hiking tours departing daily, you'll enjoy the freedom and flexibility to travel when it suits you.