Discover Pembrokeshire’s dramatic landscapes with 40 circular day walks, unveiling the wild heart of Wales’s far west. Explore the iconic Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the mysterious Preseli Hills, and the hidden tidal reaches of the Daugleddau, where ancient cliffs confront sweeping bays and secluded coves nestle between craggy headlands. Traverse rolling heathland, wooded gorges, prehistoric hillforts, and medieval castles, soaking up the tranquillity and rich heritage of a truly unspoilt county.

Ideal for both new and experienced walkers, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook features 40 day walks ranging from 3 to 20km (2–12 miles), each designed to be completed in 1–7 hours. Whether you’re seeking a gentle family stroll, a rewarding riverside ramble, or a challenging full-day hike, these routes showcase Pembrokeshire’s diverse beauty, accessible from Cardigan, Haverfordwest, and Tenby.

• Experience the best of Pembrokeshire on foot, from the wild coastline of St Davids and sweeping bays of Whitesands and Barafundle, to the rolling Preseli Hills and tranquil Daugleddau valleys.
• Enjoy year-round walking, with bright spring days in Tenby and Saundersfoot, summer rambles above Newport Bay, colourful woodlands in autumn near Cilgerran, and crisp winter vistas along the cliffs of Stackpole.
• Choose from 40 circular day walks across Pembrokeshire, each with a route summary, start and finish points, estimated walking time, and information on local facilities in key locations such as Cardigan, Haverfordwest, and Fishguard.
• Discover Pembrokeshire’s rich history and points of interest, including prehistoric earthworks on Carn Ingli, medieval castles at Carew and Pembroke, and isolated ancient churches in villages like Nevern and Angle.
• Walks range from easy rambles along the golden sands of Broad Haven to more challenging routes with steep climbs and descents in the Gwaun Valley and above Abereiddy, all clearly marked on 1:50,000 OS mapping.
• Explore nearly 200 miles (320km) of Pembrokeshire’s dramatic coastline and peaceful countryside, from the secluded coves of Solva to the rural landscapes around Llys-y-Frân, largely untouched by modern development.
• Navigate Pembrokeshire’s diverse landscapes with confidence, thanks to detailed directions, practical advice on weather, tides, and terrain, and essential kit tips for every walk.

Plan your Pembrokeshire adventure with confidence and enjoy the county’s celebrated blend of breathtaking scenery, rural tranquillity, and fascinating heritage. With the definitive Cicerone guidebook, discover the best of Pembrokeshire’s walking country at your own pace, in every season.

Walking in Pembrokeshire – Quick Facts

Location: Pembrokeshire, West Wales
Number of routes: 40 circular day walks
Distance: 3–20km (2–12 miles) per walk
Duration: 1–7 hours per walk
Areas covered: Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Preseli Hills, Daugleddau, Cardigan, Haverfordwest, Tenby
Route type: Circular routes on coastal paths, hilltops, wooded gorges, riversides, and countryside trails
Difficulty: Suitable for beginners to experienced walkers; easy strolls to strenuous hikes
Terrain: Clifftops, sandy coves, rolling hills, ancient earthworks, medieval castles, rural villages
Navigation: 1:50,000 OS map extracts, detailed directions
Best season: Excellent walking year-round; wildflowers in spring, vibrant autumn woods, winter coastal air
Highlights: Spectacular scenery, prehistoric sites, medieval castles, tranquil villages, abundant wildlife
Equipment: Sturdy boots, weather-appropriate clothing, a map and a compass recommended
Refreshments & facilities: Details of pubs, cafés, toilets, and parking provided for each walk
 

Author Highlight

"For the rambler, Pembrokeshire is nothing short of pure delight. Long-distance walkers will already know it for its 180-mile (290km) Coastal Footpath, arguably one of the finest routes in Britain. But its ready accessibility and serpentine geography ideally suit it for those with more modest ambitions too, and many of the most beautiful and dramatic sections provide splendid part- or full-day excursions.” 

- Dennis and Jan Kelsall, authors of Walking in Pembrokeshire

Map key

Overview map

Introduction

The legacy of the past

The national park

Pembrokeshire’s coast

An unspoilt hinterland

Things to take along

Getting there

Getting around

Terrain and weather

Tides

A changing countryside

Using this guide

Walks along the coast

Walk 1 Amroth and Pleasant Valley

Walk 2 Manorbier

Walk 3 Bosherston and the Lily Ponds

Walk 4 Stackpole and the Lily Ponds

Walk 5 The Angle Peninsula

Walk 6 The Dale Peninsula

Walk 7 Marloes Sands and the Deer Park

Walk 8 St Brides and Musselwick

Walk 9 St David’s and St Non’s

Walk 10 Ramsey Sound

Walk 11 St David’s Head and Carn Llidi

Walk 12 Around Ynys Barry

Walk 13 Porthgain

Walk 14 Aber Mawr and Penmorfa

Walk 15 Aber Mawr and Aber Bach

Walk 16 Strumble Head

Walk 17 Dinas Island

Walk 18 Ceibwr Bay and Pwllygranant

Walks in the Preseli Hills

Walk 19 Foel Eryr

Walk 20 Foel Cwmcerwyn

Walk 21 Carn Menyn and the ‘Bluestones’

Walk 22 Foeldrygarn

Walks around the Daugleddau

Walk 23 Cresswell Quay and Lawrenny

Walk 24 Landshipping Quay

Walk 25 Little Milford Wood and the Western Cleddau

Walk 26 Minwear Wood

Walk 27 Blackpool Mill and Slebech Church

Rivers, woodland and a lake

Walk 28 Carew Castle and Mill

Walk 29 Kilgetty

Walk 30 Canaston Wood

Walk 31 Llawhaden

Walk 32 Great Treffgarne Mountain

Walk 33 Treffgarne Gorge

Walk 34 Llys-y-frân Reservoir

Walk 35 Ffynone Falls and the Dulas Valley

Walk 36 Cwm Gwaun

Walk 37 Coed Pontfaen

Walk 38 Mynydd Caregog and Carn Ingli

Walk 39 Pentre Ifan Nature Reserve

Walk 40 Cilgerran and the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Useful information

Seasons

Pembrokeshire offers delightful walking at any time of the year but highlights include: spring flowers and countless seabirds; summer days on the beaches; autumn colours and seals. Winters are generally mild but snow occasionally visits high ground and coastal storms can be ferocious.

Centres

Tenby, Pembroke, Narberth, Haverfordwest, St David's, Fishguard, Cardigan

Difficulty

The routes, which range from 2 to 12 miles, are suitable for beginners or experienced hikers. There are some steep climbs and descents, and exposed cliff-tops require care, but navigation is not challenging.

Must See

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has spectacular cliffs and superb beaches. Unspoilt inland gems including the expansive Preseli hills, the unfrequented upper Daugleddau, superb woodlands as well as fine churches, castles, industrial heritage sites and prehistoric relics.

January 2024

Walks 26 and 27

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