Description
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path lies almost entirely within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park — Britain’s only coastal national park – and passes through stunning scenery. Throughout its 186 miles it covers a huge range of maritime landscapes, from rugged and steep limestone cliffs and volcanic headlands to sheltered red sandstone coves, flooded glacial valleys, winding estuaries, and wide-open beaches. In total the path passes 58 beaches and 14 harbours.
As far as possible the route runs close to the cliff edge and coast, but this is not possible at all times; on occasion the coast is barely in sight where it detours industrial or military areas. These deviations, however, are brief.
The walking is not strenuous, but there are constant undulations throughout, and there are narrow sections of the path. There are also many stiles en-route. In its entirety the Coast Path represents a considerable physical challenge — its 35,000 feet of ascent and descent is said to be equivalent to climbing Everest. There are two low-tide crossings, at Dale and Sandy Haven, which require lengthy detours if not timed suitably.
There are a handful of seaside towns and coastal villages along the path, such as Tenby, St Davids, Solva and Newport and the backpacker attempting longer parts of the trail will consequently find enough shops and campsites along the way, but may need to carry food and water for a couple of days in one or two places. There are also a number of small hotels and guest houses en-route, invariably family-run. There are also cottages for hire, often built in traditional styles.
For the vast majority of walkers, the coastal path is enjoyed in shorter sections, and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park lists some 130 shorter circular walks on its web site (here). Access to the coastal path (by bus or car) is easy in dozens of locations. The whole coast is served by a number of dedicated walkers' bus services, which operate over the entire length of the path; these include the Puffin Shuttle, the Coastal Cruiser, the Celtic Coaster, St David's Peninsula Shuttle Service, the Strumble Shuttle, and the Poppit Rocket.
Since the construction of the Cleddau Bridge across Milford Haven Waterway it is possible to walk the whole route of the trail without a break. The path, however, is not continuous in that it is not designated through built up areas in the southern section, such as Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock, Tenby and Saundersfoot.
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