Pembrokeshire Coast Walk 1. Amroth to Saundersfoot

Our series of Pembrokeshire coast walks begins in Amroth just across the road from the New Inn pub, where a stone pillar marks the start or end point, depending on which way you’re walking, of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail.

The pillar is topped with a plaque of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path map and nearby a way-marker post with the National Trail’s famous acorn symbol, these helpfully remind walkers of the distance ahead. The end of the Pembrokeshire Coast path at St.Dogmael’s is just 186 miles away!

Amroth to St. Dogmael’s 186 miles on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path

So this walk is an easy going ‘there and back’ to Saundersfoot. It’s just over 3 miles on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, so 6 miles with the return.

We set off along the road through the village with fine views over the wide sweep of Amroth beach, the swathes of pebble banks and numerous lines of breakwater timber groynes which stretch out across the sands.

Amroth has a couple of cafes and 3 pubs along the seafront road, ideal should you need refreshments to start your walk and set you on your way, or perhaps a mini pub crawl to sample the local ales. The Amroth Arms, Smugglers Bar and Temple Bar each have outdoor seating, perfect for spring and summer visits and enjoying the views.

A notable fixture along the seafront is a steel fish sculpture ‘Bertie the Sea Bass’ to highlight the issue of plastic litter pollution.

The sculpture is filled with plastic litter to publicise Pembrokeshire’s Clean Seas pledge to “turn the tide on marine plastic”, a great initiative to engage the interest of the younger generation on such an important issue.

At the end of the beach road the path winds up the steep hillside, which raises the heart rate at an early stage. But once at the top it’s a more gentle climb as the path widens on the headland, where some magnificent pines border the clifftop.

A surfaced track follows the contours across the gently undulating countryside before joining a road downhill to Wiseman’s Bridge. It’s a very popular spot for day trippers and the pub of the same name has a large outside terrace with plenty of seating and great views across the bay.

The coast path continues along the road, across an old stone bridge, then joins a wide footway with white railings above the rocky beach. This footway follows the route of an old coal tramway, which was used to transport coal from long gone local collieries for shipping out of Saundersfoot harbour. It now provides a good level and wide footpath for an easy walk along the coastline.

The path passes through 2 dimly lit, low tunnels which were originally cut through rock headlands for the tramway, leading on to Coppett Hall.

Coppet Hall has a water sports activity centre with great facilities, the building also hosts a highly rated Coast Restaurant. It’s a lovely golden sand beach overlooking Carmarthen Bay and Monkstone Point.

It’s only a short distance before going through a third tunnel to emerge onto The Strand, a busy street with shops, cafe and pub, which leads into Saundersfoot.

The small harbour town has a relaxed holiday feel about the place, with a range of cafe bars, a few pubs, gift and corner shops. One of our favourite places here is Periwinkle Bistro / Tea Room, just across the road from the seafront.

There’s a new development of small units and nearby a couple of seafood restaurants at the harbour. So there’s plenty of choice for refreshments or meals. It’s worthwhile taking a relaxing stroll around the harbour area with views along the coast towards Monkstone, and walk back along the footway above the fine beach.

To return to Amroth, an option to consider if you can time your walk about right at low tide, is to walk back along the beach from Saundersfoot around to Wiseman’s Bridge.

We walked back this way, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows and with waves gently lapping the shoreline, it was an invigorating beach stroll.

But do watch the tide times, as you may end up having to contend with an incoming tide. It takes some sure footed ‘rock hopping’ to make it back safely to the path near the Wiseman’s Bridge pub.