7 Best Circular Walks On The Pembrokeshire Coast Path

1 – STACKPOLE AND BARAFUNDLE CIRCULAR WALK

Difficulty – Easy to Medium | Distance – 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) | Time – 3 hours 15 minutes | Start – Bosherston National Trust Car Park | Directions – Clockwise on our Stackpole & Barafundle Walk Map

It’s not always easy to find a great circular walk along the coast but this is a cracker. The coastal section roams over magnificent headlands with views stretching down past rugged cliffs to the surging ocean below.

Along the way it visits a tiny harbour, a dramatic deep blue pool, and magnificent Barafundle beach. Backed by dunes with cliffs rising on either side, it is one of the finest in the UK.

The vertiginous cliffs are dramatic and scary at the same time. Look carefully and you may see intrepid adventurers hanging from ropes attempting climbs like The Widowmaker, Heart of Darkness or Blowin in the Wind.

Inland, the trail meanders through the Stackpole Estate and its famous Lily Ponds. In June and July, beautiful white flowers float on the man-made lake and if you are extremely lucky you may see an otter darting in and out of the banks.

2 – MARLOES PENINSULA CIRCULAR WALK

Difficulty – Medium | Distance – 10.75 kilometres (6.7 miles) | Time – 3 hours 30 minutes | Start – Marloes Sands National Trust Car Park | Directions – Anti-clockwise on our Marloes Peninsula Walk Map

There are three great reasons to attempt this walk. Firstly, the scenery on the southern side of the Marloes Peninsula is some of the finest on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. Streaky grey slate forces its way through sandy beaches and swelling seas, forming sharp triangles of rock jutting through the golden sand and blue-green waters.

Secondly, the lovely narrow path clings to the cliff top as it meanders along the edge of the headland and cuts through swathes of yellow gorse, swaying bracken, and seasonal flowers. In spring, purple foxgloves line the route before late summer sees the heather bloom.

Thirdly, although the greatest proliferation of birdlife is found on Skomer Island (one of our favourite places to visit in Pembrokeshire), this hike heads to Wooltack Point, on the headland opposite. From May to July, you may see puffins, guillemots, and razorbills fishing for food. If you are really lucky you may spy thousands of Manx Shearwaters gathering on the water in the early evening. Seals can be seen all year round but come ashore to give birth in October and periodically porpoises can be spotted in the waves. Binoculars might be a good idea.

Begin the walk at the National Trust Car Park at Marloes Sands and head anti-clockwise following the route on the map linked below. The walk takes a little over three hours, involves a couple of short climbs, but is relatively easy. Grab lunch at the excellent National Trust Runwayskiln café (public toilets next door) to finish off a great day out.

OUR MARLOES PENINSULA WALK TIP

Boats to Skomer Island leave from Martin’s Haven harbour, which you pass on this walk. If you are interested in birdwatching, a visit here is not to be missed, but you will need to book in advance.

MARLOES PENINSULA MAP

3 – SOLVA AND THE GRIBBIN HEADLAND CIRCULAR WALK

Difficulty – Easy to Medium | Distance – 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) | Time – 1 hour 30 minutes | Start – Lower Solva Car Park | Directions – Anti-clockwise on our Solva & Gribbin Map

This short but glorious circular walk is perfect if you want a quick taster of all that is great about the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

The walk begins in Lower Solva, a colourful village at the end of a deep cut inlet. In 1900, 30 ships and 9 warehouses made this a buzzing hub. But today it has an altogether more relaxed feel and at high tide its brightly painted houses shimmer as boats bob cheerily in the harbour.

The path begins by heading up to the Gribbin peninsula, providing fine views of the town, then drops to a tiny cove and rises again to head along the coast. For the next kilometre you pass dramatic rock formations and secret beaches before heading inland.

4 – TREGINNIS CIRCULAR WALK

Difficulty – Medium | Distance – 14.25 kilometres (8.9 miles) | Time – 4 hours 30 minutes | Start – St Justinian’s, Porthclais or Merrivale Car Park | Directions – Anti-clockwise on our Treginnis Peninsula Map

This is a lovely circular walk around the Treginnis headland that covers almost the entire southern half of the St Davids head peninsula. The coastal cliffs are not as high and the beaches perhaps not quite as pretty as other walks, but it is the diversity that makes it special.

In just over 4 hours you pass St Justinian’s boathouses; numerous coves tucked into headlands; the giant gash of Porthlysgi Bay and the charming harbour of Porthclais. Keeping you company on your journey are the rushing gurgling waters of Ramsey Sound which can reach up to 6 knots on spring tides. 

After passing the rocky coast around St Nons, the trail then heads inland to the town of St Davids. Take a detour to the magnificent cathedral where wealth poured in after Pope Calixtus II declared two pilgrimages to St Davids is equal to one to Rome, and three to Jerusalem.

Along the way there are brief reminders of life: the remains of a Celtic Chapel; a long-lost ancient fort; ruined burial chambers and the dolmen of Coetan Arthur. But the highlight is summiting Carn Llidi. Its dramatic buttressed craggy features and far-reaching views belie its 181-metre height.

The walk begins and ends at Whitesands Beach, a sweeping stretch of powdery white sands. End the day with a refreshing swim, watch the surfers rule the waves or simply chill out in a deckchair.

6 – PORTHGAIN & ABEREIDDY WALK

Difficulty – Easy to Medium | Distance – 6.5 kilometres (4 miles) | Time – 2 hours | Start – Porthgain Village (Free) | Directions – Anti-clockwise on our Porthgain Abereiddy Walk Map

In our opinion, this is the most interesting short walk along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. It begins in the intriguing village of Porthgain which was a prosperous industrial harbour in the early 1900s.

Slate quarried a few miles south was carried by tramway to the village before being shipped from its tiny harbour. In later years slate was replaced with brickmaking and a gigantic hopper was built into the cliff above the village. Today the remnants of its industrial past stand as stark reminders of a bygone age.

From Porthgain the trail climbs up some steps and follows the coastal path south, passing magnificent scenery dotted with old quarries, remains of the tramway and ruined slate buildings. After half an hour you reach the secret beach of Traeth Llyfn, our favourite on the Pembrokeshire Coast.

Another 15 minutes further brings you to the Blue Lagoon. Originally a slate quarry it closed in 1910. Spotting a unique opportunity, local fisherman blasted a narrow channel between the quarry and the sea, creating an artificial harbour in the old pit. Today, the Blue Lagoon is great for a quick dip or some rather thrilling leaping from the slate buildings that line its edge.

After about an hour, the path arrives at Abereiddy, where you will find another beach, car park (£4 for the day)  and toilets. You can head back inland across the fields (see map below), but for once it’s probably better to return along the coast.

Whichever you choose, end the hike with a drink at the Sloop Inn in Porthgain. Established in 1743, the pub is packed with memorabilia harking back to the village’s industrial and fishing past.

OUR ABEREIDDY & PORTHGAIN WALK TIP

While in the area, we highly recommend joining a coasteering tour in the Blue Lagoon. Coasteering involves scrambling along rocky coastlines and playing in the surging surf. It was invented in Pembrokeshire and the Blue Lagoon is a great place to have a go.

OUR ABEREIDDY & PORTHGAIN MAP

7 – STRUMBLE HEAD CIRCULAR WALK

Difficulty – Medium to Challenging | Distance – 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) | Time – 3 hours 15 minutes | Start – Garn Fawr Car Park | Directions – Clockwise on our Strumble Head Walk Map

This is the hardest of our circular walks on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Not so much for the distance, as much as the amount of ascent and descent. It requires some puff, but it’s well worth the effort. The hike offers tremendous views around undulating coastal cliffs and two great points of interest.

At the far end of the peninsula, standing imposingly on St. Michaels Island is the Strumble Head Lighthouse. The 17-metre white tower was built in 1908 to protect sea traffic between Ireland and Fishguard and still contains the original lantern. Electrified in 1965 and automated in 1980 it offers an excellent focal point for photographers.

The walk also climbs to the summit of Garn Fawr, at 213 metres it is the highest point on this stretch of coast. At its summit is an iron age fort constructed more than 2,500 years ago. It makes excellent use of the hill’s natural lines, linking the rocky outcrops with stone walls. The views from here over a patchwork of green fields and disappearing headlands is remarkable.

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