St.Dogmaels to St.Davids Walk

Walking information

The walking is mainly along coastal tracks and paths. There are frequent steep ascents and descents. As you are walking over high cliffs, often with sheer drops down to the sea, a head for heights is necessary.

Day 1: Arrive in Newport

Arrive in Newport. Flanked by Carningli mountain and the sandy shores of the Nevern estuary, it's one of Pembrokeshire's most scenic towns. There's time to explore before your briefing on the week's walking.
You stay at the Cnapan B&B (breakfast included)

Day 2: St. Dogmaels to Newport 25km/15.5mi/6hr

A short transfer takes you to St. Dogmaels and the official start of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. Today's route is demanding, with frequent very steep sections, but the views over to Cardigan Island make it well worth the effort, and there's a good chance of spotting nesting guillemots, razorbills and even the rare chough if you're lucky! At rocky Ceibwr Bay, pass the Witches' Cauldron (Pwll-y-Wrach) - a blowhole caused by the collapse of a cave roof with a nearby stream emptying into the 'cauldron'. End the day with a descent to dune backed Newport Sands before crossing the Iron Bridge into Newport itself.
You stay at the Cnapan B&B (breakfast included)

Day 3: Newport to Fishguard 15.5km/10mi/5hr or 20km/12.5mi/6hr

Another wonderful day following a roller-coaster cliff top route dipping in and out of small coves backed by surprisingly verdant valleys. The cliffs today are not as high as yesterday, but they are just as impressively wild and rugged. There's the option to extend the walk around Dinas Head (142m) - the breeding ground for herring gulls, razorbills and guillemots which nest on Needle Rock, a 50m high offshore stack. Pass the ruins of the 18th century Fishguard Fort - with its cannon still pointing out to sea - to enter Fishguard via its pretty harbour, once busy with trading vessels but now home to leisure boats.
You stay at the Manor Town House B&B (breakfast included)

Day 4: Pwll Deri to Fishguard 18km/11mi/5.5hr

After a short transfer to Pwll Deri you begin the day by exploring its spectacular surroundings and mighty cliffs before making your way to Strumble Head and its dramatically perched lighthouse. Known as the Pencaer Peninsula, it is not a peninsula at all but flanked by the sea with a line of low hills on the inland side giving the impression of being cut off. Pass Carreg Wastad Point, where French soldiers invaded British shores in 1797 - the last ever troops to do so - then make your way back to Fishguard over clifftop heathland and with the chance of spotting seals, porpoises and even dolphins in the clear waters below.
You stay at the Manor Town House B&B (breakfast included)

Day 5: Pwll Deri to Trefin 15km/9mi/5hr

A transfer to Pwll Deri means you can start the day on a high - literally and figuratively. Surrounded by some of Pembrokeshire's most beautiful scenery the route takes you along an airy clifftop ridge, with pebble beaches and crashing waves below, before dropping down to the pretty harbourside hamlet of Abercastle. A short detour from the coast takes you to Carreg Samson, a 5000 year old Neolithic burial site, gazing out across the bay; then it's an undulating path with lovely sea views to Trefin.
You stay at the Tŷ Boia (breakfast included)

Day 6: Trefin to Whitesands 18km/11mi/6hr

Your last day on the wild and undulating north coast takes in high cliffs, secluded settlements and atmospheric heathland as you make your way to Abereiddy Bay - a dark sand bay made of crushed grey slate. The same slate gives a brilliant deep blue colour to the water in the nearby 'Blue Lagoon', formed when an old quarry was opened up to allow the sea to flood in. You'll find remains of the quarry buildings and old tramway lines here too. Continue along the coast to round St. David's Head with its prehistoric remains, craggy little tor-topped hills and superb views over Ramsey Island, before descending to the pristine sandy beach at Whitesands Bay.
You stay at the Tŷ Boia (breakfast included)

Day 7: Whitesands to St. Davids 13km/8mi/4hr

Having turned the corner of St. David's Head, the scenery changes for your final day's walk. Gone are the dramatic, imposing cliffs to be replaced by sandy beaches and pretty coves. From Whitesands Bay, follow a delightful section of coast that includes St Justinian's, with its dramatically situated lifeboat stations nestled in the low cliff face, and views over to Ramsey Island. Continue along the coast to round Pen Dal-Aderyn - Wales' most westerly point - for sweeping views over the vast expanse of St. Brides Bay before reaching pretty St. David's with its quaint streets, cute cafes, boutiques, galleries and, of course, famous cathedral.
You stay at the Tŷ Boia (breakfast included)

Day 8: Leave St David's