Pembrokeshire Coast Path

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path (approx. 186 miles) starts at the northern end of St.Dogmaels adjacent to the landing stage at The Moorings. The first 3 miles of the route follows roads and country lanes. Once past the Webley Hotel there are fine views of the Teifi estuary and it’s shifting sand banks, fishing boats and yachts.

Past the Poppit Sands shop/cafe the narrow road climbs 425 feet to the headland where you will have fine views across the estuary towards Cardigan Island and around the full sweep of Cardigan Bay. At Allt-y-goed farm you leave the country lane and begin the cliff footpaths onto Cemaes Head. From here you will get views down the coast as far as Strumble Head.

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path was officially opened on 16th May 1970 by Wynford Vaughan Thomas, then President of the Council for the Protection of Rural Wales.

St.Dogmaels to Newport (Parrog) section is 15.5 miles long. This stretch of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is a taxing one, but walkers are amply rewarded for their efforts by continuous contact with the wild and beautiful cliff scenery. Some of the highest cliffs in Pembrokeshire are encountered on this stretch, and walkers will climb more than 3000 feet before they reach Newport. It will be a good days walking (approximately 8 hours). The route is well marked and well trodden and there is little likelihood that you will go astray. However, you will need to make sure you are well equipped and carry food and water for the hike.

On every section of the footpath you will encounter creeks, coves, coastal valleys and sandy beaches and you are seldom far from civilisation as you pass a string of little coastal villages along the route. The landscape is extremely ancient with underlying rocks more than 300 million years old and the coastline showing signs of glacial action during the Ice Age.

For more information on the full Coast Path route: The Countryside Agency’s National Trail Guides: “Pembrokeshire Coast Path” – Brian John (Aurum Press, London/ Ordinance Survey 2001) – ISBN 1-85410-770-4