Llwybr Cenedlaethol Arfordir Penfro
National Trail: Wales
Cardigan to Amroth
299km/186 miles
This route via Fishguard, Pembroke and Tenby includes some of the most spectacular coastal walking in Britain, mainly along clifftops and almost all within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. It includes a National Nature Reserve (NNR), a local nature reserve, Wales' only marine nature reserve and 17 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
Some sections involved steep climbs and there is around 10,700m/35,000 feet of ascent and descent on the Path as a whole, but there are also gentler sections including some lengths suitable for people with special access needs.
Update. The national park organises an annual coast path walk, an opportunity to walk the Path in the company of experienced guides. In 2006 the walk runs from 27 May to 9 June. Booking is essential and there is a fee. For more details contact Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
For full details of accessible sections of the path and for access information on the National Park see Easy Access in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park under Publications below.
Connects with
Highway Authorities
Tourist Information Centres
- Cardigan 01239 613230
- Fishguard 01348 873484
- Haverfordwest 01437 763110
- Milford Haven 01646 690866
- Newport 01239 820912
- Pembroke 01646 622388
- Pembroke Dock 01646 522246
- St Davids 01437 720392
- Saundersfoot 01834 813672
- Tenby 01834 842402
Accommodation
Click here to find bed & breakfast accommodation on this path
Luggage Carriers
Hostel booking
Holiday Providers
include Avalon, Bobs, Celtic Trails, CHP, Contours, Explore Britain, Greenways, Pembrokeshire Walking, Walking Holidays Britain, Walking Women, YHA
Public Transport
- Rail services along the line between Cardiff (connections for Bristol, Birmingham, London), Carmarthen, Swansea and Fishguard, with branch lines to Pembroke Dock via Tenby and Milford Haven via Haverfordwest, serve many parts of the coast and the National Park. The branch line to Pembroke Dock is particularly useful for walkers in the south of the Park between Tenby and Pembroke Dock, with intermediate stations at Penally, Manorbier, Lamphey and Pembroke. Greenways Ranger tickets give unlimited travel for one day at £3.50 adult (£1.75 child) between Whitland and Pembroke Dock: buy from the train conductor.
- Cardigan has regular bus services from Carmarthen and Haverfordwest, and an infrequent service from Tenby. The official start of the walk at St Dogmaels is 2km/1.5 miles from the town centre and there are regular buses from Carmarthen and Cardigan or the Poppit shuttle from Fishguard, Newport and Cardigan (see below). Some walkers may wish to take advantage of this to avoid a further 3km/2 miles of road walking.
- Amroth has regular bus services from Carmarthen, Tenby and Haverfordwest.
- Pembrokeshire Greenways bus services connect many locations along the coast. Routes covered are:
Poppit Shuttle linking the northern end of the Trail at Poppit Sands with Newport, Moylgrove, St Dogmaels and Cardigan.
Strumble Shuttle between St Davids and Fishguard, calling at Porthgain, Abercastle and Strumble Head.
Puffin Shuttle between St Davids and Milford Haven calling at Newgale, Broad Haven, Little Haven, Marloes and Dale.
Celtic Coaster, a wheelchair accessible bus running on ‘bio-diesel’ around the St Davids Peninsula from St Davids to Porth Clais, St Justinians and Whitesands, connecting with boats to Ramsey Island.
Coastal Cruiser, a wheelchair accessible bio-diesel bus that also carries cycles and surfboards, around the Angle Peninsula from Pembroke to Angle, Bosherston and Stackpole.
Services operate daily between May and September, with Poppit, Strumble and Coastal Cruiser services continuing on three days a week until the end of April. For more information and timetables see www.pembrokeshiregreenways.co.uk or get a coastal bus service timetable, including walk suggestions and discount vouchers, from local outlets or 01437 776313. Various all-day tickets and passes are available: see the leaflet or ask the bus driver.
A detailed public transport guide to the Path can be found via the Pembrokeshire Coast website (see below). For more on finding out about services and fares across Britain, click here.
Maps
The way is shown on recent editions of these maps.
Publications
- Pembrokeshire Coast Path by Brian John, ISBN 1 85410 975 8. Aurum £12.99 + p&p. Order here!
Official National Trail Guide with OS 1:25,000 map extracts, describing route from Cardigan to Amroth. - Pembrokeshire Coast leaflets. The National Park produce a range of walks leaflets and booklets, covering the coast path in ten sections (40p each + p&p), plus a variety of circular walks using sections of the path and in other parts of the Park (various prices). Contact them for a list: see below.
- Pembrokeshire Coast Path Amroth to Cardigan by Jim Manthorpe, ISBN 1 873756 56 9. Trailblazer Publications £9.99.
Detailed compact publication with route description in opposite direction to the official guide, extensive background notes, clear sketch maps, accommodation suggestions, public transport information. - Pembrokeshire Coast Path Mileage Chart. 20p + 38p p&p from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (see below)
- Easy Access in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. £2.95 + 88p p&p from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (see below)
More than 20 easy and wheelchair-accessible routes and viewpoints along the Coast Path and in other parts of the park. Bilingual English/Welsh. - The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path from Amroth to St Dogmaels by Dennis Kelsall, ISBN 1 85284 378 0. Cicerone £12.95
Alternative pocket guide in opposite direction to official guide with OS 1:50 000 map extracts, route descriptions, accommodation listings and background ntoes. - Accommodation Guide: no longer in print. A full accommodation listing can be found on the national park website (see below).
Contacts
