Wales Coastal Path
Wales Coastal Path
5
About
The Welsh coastline has many contrasts and really does offer something for everyone. From cliff top strolls to estuarine wanders, picturesque fishing villages to vibrant cities, industrial heritage to unconquered castles, desolate windswept beaches to bustling seasides. The Wales Coast Path not only takes you through the Welsh landscape, it takes you through its heritage and its communities.The Pembrokeshire section is home to the iconic and world-class landscape of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and wildlife rich islands. The Path (which has National Trail status here) passes through some of Britain's most spectacular and breathtaking scenery, including 58 beaches and 14 harbours and the UK's smallest city - St Davids.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
771 reviews
Excellent
702
Very good
63
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Jacki51
Cambridge, UK154 contributions
Jun 2021
While staying in St Davids, we took two walks along the coastal path, firstly from Caerfai Bay to Porthclais Harbour, where there is a NT car park and an excellent ice cream stall. Our second longer walk was from Porthclais Harbour to St Justinian's from where we caught the shuttle bus back to St Davids. The path is relatively clear overall but some parts are steep and other parts quite rocky so good footwear is advisable. Great views of Ramsey Island along the way and the path leads down to a pebble beach at one point. Both walks are popular with hikers and dog walkers.
Written June 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Patrick A
Cedar Falls, IA113 contributions
Sep 2022
We started in Dale, taking a cab from Milford Haven. We used the Encounter Walking service which booked our rooms and took our luggage from place to place. We did things at a decent pace of 12-17 miles a day. There was one windy day from Broad Haven to Solva which was a bit nasty but overall we had a great time for a retired couple from Iowa.
Written November 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Memorymaker
Pembrokeshire, UK34 contributions
Sep 2020
Living and working here in Pembrokeshire has allowed for many explorations of the wonderful coastal path and there are truly too many hidden gems to describe them all here. So my best advice would be to just book yourself a stay in the area whether you want to stay close to the Preseli Hills and travel to the path or stay right next to a part of it and find out for yourself (obviously once this pandemic is over!) what an incredible part of the world it is.
I've been fortunate to travel to many places in the world in my youth and I can honestly say Pembrokeshire's coastal path provides the most amazing memories and outstanding beauty. Whether you be a creative soul or an adventurer, young or old. There are areas for all. Enjoy !
I've been fortunate to travel to many places in the world in my youth and I can honestly say Pembrokeshire's coastal path provides the most amazing memories and outstanding beauty. Whether you be a creative soul or an adventurer, young or old. There are areas for all. Enjoy !
Written January 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Les G
Horsham, UK70 contributions
Aug 2022
Mostly well sign posted so easy to follow with grid references on gateposts along the way.
We walked a different section each day, using the half-hourly bus service to reach our starting points where they would have been rather a walk from where we were staying in St David's.
Beautiful purple heathers, the bright yellow gorze just coming into bloom, brackens, sloe berries in abundance, pink campion, yellow ragwort, to name only a few. A colourful landscape in amongst the limestone rocks, craggy outcrops.
Sheep grazing, cows, including some highland cattle and mountain ponies near St David's Head.
Spotted Grey seals and pups in some of the sheltered bays resting.
Unfortunately, we also saw the effect of Avian flu on gannets, two separate corpses had been washed up on the beach/shore. Not to be touched but report to the RSPB.
Numerous butterflies and moths including a female Oak Eggar, and a Magpie moth, supposedly both common but we had never seen them previously.
Take care as the paths are mainly on the edge of extremely steep cliff faces with sheer drops. Dogs should always be kept on a lead but not all that we saw were!
We walked a different section each day, using the half-hourly bus service to reach our starting points where they would have been rather a walk from where we were staying in St David's.
Beautiful purple heathers, the bright yellow gorze just coming into bloom, brackens, sloe berries in abundance, pink campion, yellow ragwort, to name only a few. A colourful landscape in amongst the limestone rocks, craggy outcrops.
Sheep grazing, cows, including some highland cattle and mountain ponies near St David's Head.
Spotted Grey seals and pups in some of the sheltered bays resting.
Unfortunately, we also saw the effect of Avian flu on gannets, two separate corpses had been washed up on the beach/shore. Not to be touched but report to the RSPB.
Numerous butterflies and moths including a female Oak Eggar, and a Magpie moth, supposedly both common but we had never seen them previously.
Take care as the paths are mainly on the edge of extremely steep cliff faces with sheer drops. Dogs should always be kept on a lead but not all that we saw were!
Written August 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chris W
12 contributions
Sep 2020
The breathtaking views and I do mean breathtaking. Our aim was to walk around St Davids Head from Caerfai Beach to Whitesands Bay a route described as rugged! We found we were a bit too ambitious. It took two attempts! Day 1 we started from Caerfai and got just beyond Portclais before we decided we best head back. We were within sight of Ramsey Island. Day 2 was better planned, we started from Whitesands and aimed to get the Coastal Path Bus back from Portclais. We just managed to catch the penultimate bus. Over all the walk is not too strenuous but there are places where the path is narrow and the cliffs are very high, care is needed. You also need to allow plenty of time for seal watching!
Written October 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
trudesteiro
Nesna, Norway147 contributions
Aug 2022 • Friends
Such a nice walk. Loved the views. The path was a bit demanding at times but all in all such a good hike. We walked from Newgale to St. Davids and used about for hours. The weather was really nice, and the path was well marked and gave us a lot of views on diffrent beaches, cliffs and and rockformations.
Written August 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ruth H
Billericay, UK24 contributions
Aug 2022
We hiked from Whitesands to Solva (having left the car at Solva Harbour and taken 2 buses via St David's to get the Whitesands which was very simple).
Stunning coastline, well marked route with plenty of waymarkers and easy to follow. Took a mixed ability group 6 hours including a fairly lengthy picnic lunch. Highly recommend.
Stunning coastline, well marked route with plenty of waymarkers and easy to follow. Took a mixed ability group 6 hours including a fairly lengthy picnic lunch. Highly recommend.
Written September 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
gladfly
New Castle, NH1,031 contributions
Jun 2022
If you enjoy nature at its best come an do a walk. Highly recommended. Wear good hiking shoes or boots. Stunning views along the way and fresh air all around! We walked about 30 miles of different trust properties in and around the coastal paths and enjoyed all of it.
Written July 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Steve D
Caerleon, UK365 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
The coastal path around St David’s is spectacular. The path is well maintained and easily followed. The cliffs in places are very high and have superb views. We were lucky enough to spot porpoises and watched them for 30 minutes or so. The wildlife, birds and wild flowers are something else. Highly recommended.
Written June 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Serenity201
Chertsey, UK232 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
Camping at Caerfai Bay campsite we used the amazing coastal path a number of times with our dogs. I would recommend not for prams or small children. Dogs need to be on a lead as there are a number of sheer drop areas that they could accidentally fall from( our dog would have had I not pulled her back!). The views were amazing and invigorating.
Written August 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Becky M
Bath
How long did the walk take you to do? I'm keen to do it but can only find distance and no times online
Jason
Birmingham, UK10 contributions
Is there a visitor's centre / cafe that you can sit and look at the view?
jaimeelsabio
Maryland4,153 contributions
Which town are you asking about? If it’s St. Davids, the town is very, very, small. You can walk from one end to the other in 5 minutes. The visitor center is in town and at least a mile from the coast.
Jason
Birmingham, UK10 contributions
Hello. What’s the address of the visitors centre in st David’s , or is there one in Pembrokeshire? I want a hat or T-shirt with the name of the area on it .. thanks.
jaimeelsabio
Maryland4,153 contributions
The one I found is:
National Trust - St David's Visitor Centre & Shop, Captain's House, High St, St Davids SA62 6SD, UK
+44 1437 720385
nm_mom_traveler
Albuquerque, NM40 contributions
Hello,
Is the Wales Coastal Path generally thought to be good for solo female travelers? I am a fit and experienced hiker. I am hoping to walk from lodging to lodging with a baggage transfer service over about a week in early June, and do a section of the northern part of the trail, probably north to south. (Trying to decide between the Coastal Path vs Offa's Dyke vs some other trail??)
Thank you!
Wataoo
Kolkata (Calcutta), India171 contributions
I haven't done the luggage transfer part, and hence would not be able to comment on that part. The paths are beautiful and safe. You will have signs to guide you. Have a safe trip!
maria t
Leicester, UK4 contributions
Hi, maria. What would you like to know about this attraction? Loved your review, we are considering to do the coastal walks, especially stayng in St. Davids as a base, would you recommend a good place to stay as a base.
FRANK N
Durham, UK35 contributions
We stayed in a cottage in the City and were able to walk to the coast from there. There are a number of local buses to visit further afield. We used St Brides Bay Cottages, which is run by a couple who are based in Solva. They were very helpful and our cottage was excellent. Last minute bookings are a quite a good way to save money, but of course you risk not finding the ideal place. We have used this method over a number of years and always ended up with a good cottage. Take your time to explore the rental market and it will pay dividends. Hope this is helpful.
Sarah W
Montreal, Canada2 contributions
Hello,
I am planning to walk the coast path (hoping to do it all) with my boyfriend either in April or September of 2019.
Is it easier to find hostels or campsites along the path? If willing to carry camp equipment. I assume camping is cheaper. This way would permit ourselves to eat at pubs more often than if we were staying in hostels or B and B.
I'm having trouble finding hostels and campgrounds online.
I guess I'm looking g about general suggestions of how to plan the accommodations.
Thank you.
Sarah
Rebecca C
Shropshire, UK61 contributions
Hi Sarah,
We visit the area quite a lot and there always seems to be campsites along or close to the coastal path.
If you want to get them booked up ahead of time, perhaps try a website such as National Trail. If you select the South West Coast Plan and then 'plan your trip' you can select the option to show you all of the campsites along the path.
Good luck and enjoy!
jan j
5 contributions
Planning to visit wales in September and wanting to do some hiking. How would we get from town centres , ie Swansea or Cardiff to trails? Rent car, or tours or bus? Thanks for any suggestions.
Alexander Marsden-Jones
Colerne, UK536 contributions
It’s super easy from Swansea. The coastal path goes around the fringes of the town centre, near Swansea marina, which is within easy walking distance from the railway and bus stations.
Hello! I am planning a trip here at the end of March. This is the place that is drawing me to Wales. I will be traveling alone I was wondering if you had any recommendations on where to stay in the area?
And if you visited anywhere else in Wales you would recommend?
Thanks for any info!
t W
Cupertino, CA49 contributions
I agree with Spacehopper2000. After research, I went with a niece in Sept/Oct to St Davids, Tenby, and Crickhowell in Brecon Beacons (I was also very interested in Snowdonia but...).
I used all public transportation. St Davids took a little effort to get there but then the buses were great for allowing one-way hiking and putting all your energy into staying on the trails!
We stayed at St Davids Cross Hotel, Tenby's Premier Inn, and Gwyn Deri Bed and Breakfast on Mill Street in Crickhowell.
Have fun!
gill m
Evesham, UK186 contributions
we're can I see the seals in Dec in this area .. been by the lagoon and just past .. didn't see any
Meg_Redding
164 contributions
Yesterday we saw two seals in a small body of water in St David’s area in Pembrokeshire. They somehow swam into the little inlet of water near the parked boats.
Wales Coastal Path (St. Davids) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Wales Coastal Path
- We recommend booking Wales Coastal Path tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Wales Coastal Path tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Wales Coastal Path:
- (0.10 mi) Llys Aber Large Luxury Holiday House By Solva Harbour Pembrokeshire sleeps 10
- (0.12 mi) The Ship Inn
- (0.16 mi) The Cambrian Inn
- (0.13 mi) Cosy, character cottage in heart of village. Newly refurbished.3 ensuite b/rooms
- (0.15 mi) Williams of Solva
- Restaurants near Wales Coastal Path:
- (0.12 mi) MamGu Welshcakes
- (0.07 mi) 35 Main Street
- (0.09 mi) The Harbour Inn
- (0.11 mi) The Ship Inn
- (0.14 mi) The Old Pharmacy