Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – Cliffs, Headlands, and Wales’s Maritime Edge

Atlantic Coastlines, Layered Geology, and Continuous Movement

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park lies along the south-west edge of Wales, covering much of Pembrokeshire. Britain’s only national park designated almost entirely around coastline, it protects a long, varied maritime landscape of cliffs, headlands, beaches, and sheltered inlets — shaped by geology, weather, and centuries of coastal settlement and movement.

Walking journeys here are defined by continuity and exposure. The land narrows to meet the sea, and routes follow the edge with little interruption, rising and falling between headlands, coves, and river mouths. Progress is rhythmic rather than vertical, with frequent short climbs and descents creating days shaped by repetition, light, and changing coastal conditions.

Cliffs dominate much of the park’s character. Sheer rock faces, folded strata, and eroded headlands create walking that is visually dramatic but technically straightforward, rewarding steady movement rather than scrambling or ascent. Views are wide and outward-looking, with long stretches of coast unfolding ahead rather than drawing the eye upward.

Beaches and sheltered bays punctuate the harder edges of the coastline. Sandy coves, tidal estuaries, and calm sections of shore offer moments of pause and contrast, breaking longer days into distinct stages. These transitions between cliff, beach, and headland give the coast its strong sense of sequence and narrative.

Human history is deeply embedded in the landscape. Small ports, fishing villages, chapels, and defensive sites sit close to the shore, reflecting centuries of maritime life. Settlements such as St Davids and coastal hamlets along the peninsula act as natural stopping points, reinforcing the coast’s long-standing role as a corridor rather than a destination.

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path threads the entire park together, forming one of Britain’s most complete long-distance coastal walking experiences. Following the edge almost continuously, the route links wild headlands, working harbours, and quiet beaches, allowing walkers to experience the coast as a single, connected landscape.

Despite its popularity, large sections of the park retain a strong sense of openness. Wind, tide, and weather shape each day’s experience, while the constant presence of the sea gives walking here a dynamic, living quality. Conditions change quickly, with light and atmosphere shifting from hour to hour.

Inland, the character softens. Rolling farmland, estuaries, and wooded valleys provide alternative routes and recovery days, offering contrast to the exposed coastal edge without losing the maritime influence. This interplay between coast and hinterland adds depth to longer stays.

Wildlife is a constant companion. Seabirds nest along cliffs, seals haul out on quiet beaches, and marine life animates the waters below. These encounters reinforce the sense of walking through a working natural system rather than a static landscape.

Accommodation and services sit close to the coast but rarely intrude upon it. Inns, small towns, and villages are spaced naturally along the route, supporting multi-day walking without diminishing the coast’s openness.

For walkers drawn to long horizons, constant movement, and landscapes shaped as much by water as by land, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park offers one of Britain’s most complete and immersive coastal walking environments.

Where to Walk and Explore

Clifftop Paths and Headlands

‍Exposed coastal routes with continuous views, shaped by rock, wind, and sea.

Sandy Bays and Sheltered Beaches

‍Natural pauses along the route, offering contrast to rugged cliff sections.

Peninsulas and Coastal Settlements

‍Historic villages and working harbours linked directly by coastal paths.

Estuaries and Inland Valleys

‍Softer routes following tidal rivers and farmland just beyond the coastal edge.

Adventure Highlights

• Britain’s only fully coastal national park
• Continuous long-distance coastal walking
• Dramatic cliffs and folded geology
• Strong maritime heritage and settlement pattern
• Constant wildlife presence
• Weather- and tide-shaped journeys