A few years ago the 299km-long Pembrokeshire Coast Path was voted one of the top ten long distance trails in the world by National Geographic magazine.
Sweeping golden beaches, hidden coves, sheltered harbours, soaring sea cliffs – you might expect all these and you indeed do get them in abundance – but add to that mix boat-dotted estuaries, offshore islands, ancient castles and cathedrals and a spectacular array of wildlife and one trip here will never be enough.
The path takes on a different character and appearance by the mile. Starting from Amroth in the south you’ll initially encounter a pastoral landscape where fields and woodlands wend their way down to the sea, and pass through historic towns like Tenby with its pastel painted houses and Pembroke, dominated by its huge medieval castle – both of which also mean you’re never far from a good pub or accommodation.
Crossing the mighty Daugleddau Estuary you encounter more rugged coastline as you wend your way north, with Atlantic swells crashing against high cliffs and offshore islands such as Skomer, Skokholm and Ramsey providing a habitat for internationally important seabird and grey seal colonies – look out to sea and you may well see dolphins or porpoise frolicking in the waves.
As you round St. David’s Head (not forgetting a quick detour to see the eponymous 11th century cathedral and its associated city, the smallest in Britain) you can walk for miles and have just seabirds and seals for company, until eventually you stride along the top of Wales’ highest sea cliffs at 167-metre high Cemaes Head before the gentle descent to the wide golden expanse of Poppit Sands and journey’s end.
The entire length of the coast path takes most fit, experienced walkers about two weeks, but if you don’t have that long you can walk sections of it using the various local bus services to return to your start point.
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