• Distance
• 123 km
• Total Ascend:
• 4338 m
• Max. Altitude:
• 161 m
• Walking time:
• 32h 31m
• Days:
• 6

After several hikes in Scotland, in summer 2017 we decided to explore the Welsh coast. We specifically spent six days walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, a long-distance hiking trail of outstanding natural beauty which passes along the coastline of the Pembrokeshire National Park in south-western Wales. The trail has repeatedly ranked among the most beautiful coast walks in the world. Having finished the northern-most section of the 299 km trail, I whole-heartedly support this assessment. The combination of a wild, rugged and remote coastline with numerous quiet beaches and coves, an abundance of neolithic, celtic and medieval monuments, and pitturesque small villages is certainly worth a visit.

Download GPS track

Day 1: St. Justinians to Abereiddy

• Start:
• St. Justinians
• End:
• Abereiddi
• Distance:
• 19.3 km
• Total Ascend:
• 686 m
• Max. Altitude:
• 118 m
• Walking time:
• 5h 04m

On the first day, we start our walk in St. Justinians, located just a few miles outside the beautiful town of St. Davids. From St. Justinians, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path takes us along the coastline towards Whitesands Beach. We continue around the cape of St. David's Head, spotting seals from the edge of the cliffs. After more than 19 kilometers, we finally reach Abereiddi beach, where we finish today's route.

Day 2: Abereiddi to Aberbach

• Start:
• Abereiddi
• End:
• Aberbach
• Distance:
• 18.5 km
• Total Ascend:
• 512 m
• Max. Altitude:
• 60 m
• Walking time:
• 4h 26m

On the second day, we continue our walk at Abereiddi beach. From there, the path takes us up the cliffs, always following the cliff edge. After a few miles, we reach the pitturesque village of Abercastle, where take a small rest. We then continue the path, which again closely follows the edge of the cliffs. After about 18 kilometers we reach Aberbach beach and we end today's walk in Tregwynt.

Day 3: Aberbach to Goodwick

• Start:
• Aberbach
• End:
• Goodwick
• Distance:
• 28.1 km
• Total Ascend:
• 1175 m
• Max. Altitude:
• 144 m
• Walking time:
• 7h 08m

The third day brings about a long and strenous stage of the trail. We start at Tregwynt and make our way back to Aberbach beach, from where the path takes us back up the cliffs. We pass beautiful bays, caves and coves and cross hills along the coastline. We next reach Carreg Onnen Bay, which provides spectacular views of small islands and Ynis Meicel lighthouse. The path takes us around the bay and we reach a small bay, where we watch a couple of very relaxed seals. Strenous final kilometers, with spectacular passages of cliff edges finally take us to Goodwick, the goal of today's walk.

Day 4: Goodwick to Newport

• Start:
• Goodwick
• End:
• Newport
• Distance:
• 24.3 km
• Total Ascend:
• 793 m
• Max. Altitude:
• 140 m
• Walking time:
• 6h 10m

After a good night's rest, we start the fourth day of our walk in Goodwick. We first follow the coast path to Fishguard, with its beautiful old port and a fort overlooking the village. Sea mist rolls in from the ocean, quickly covering the coast in fog. We continue towards Pwllgwaelog Beach, where we take a break with some ice cream. The coast path continues around Pen Dinas peninsula, finally reaching the small town of Newport, where today's stage ends.

Day 5: Newport to Moylegrove

• Start:
• Newport
• End:
• Moylegrove
• Distance:
• 17.1 km
• Total Ascend:
• 632 m
• Max. Altitude:
• 161 m
• Walking time:
• 5h 02m

Setting off in Newport, we round the bay at Newport sands at low tide. Since the coast path is flooded at high tides, this luckily saves us a diversion. Passing by Newport Sands beach, we cross a golf court and again climb up the cliffs. Along steep hills and always following the cliff edge, we reach the witches' cauldron, a small cove that is connected to the sea via cave. While resting at the edge of the cove, we spot a curious young seal, whose head repeatedly pops out of the azure colored water. We continue along the cliffs, reaching the old vicarage in Moylegrove, where we spend a relaxed night with a phantastic dinner.

Day 6: Moylegrove to St. Dogmaels

• Start:
• Moylegrove
• End:
• St. Dogmaels
• Distance:
• 15.9 km
• Total Ascend:
• 540 m
• Max. Altitude:
• 173 m
• Walking time:
• 4h 38m

On the final day of our walk, we start in Moylegrove. Passing by the fallen church just across the old vicarage where we spent the night, we make our way back to Ceibrw bay. Here, we again reach the coast path, which guides us up the cliffs along the coastline. The path is again very steep and quite strenous, sometimes passing dangerously close by the edge of the cliffs. Having passed around Pen Cemaes, we spot Cardigan bay in the distance. We continue along the coast path, which takes us down the hillds to Poppit Sands beach. From here it is only a short walk to St. Dogmaels, which marks the end of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.