Pembrokeshire Coast Path #1 - Amroth to Freshwater Bay West

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is a National Trail in Wales which is 186 miles/299 kilometres in length with a total ascent equal to the height of Mount Everest. This is part one in a series of five which has been compiled into a playlist. Also, if you're planning to do the trail, there is a Trail Review video that provides hints and tips that will help you achieve a successful completion. More recently, I have completed a summary video that consolidates all the playlist videos into a single video. Needless to say, this does not have the same level of detail as the playlist videos but is more of a taster of this National Trail.
We take a south to north route staring in Amroth and finishing 11 days later in St Dogmaels near Cardigan. Early morning witnesses our start Amroth as we touch the start stone and wonder along the beach front to meet the plastic fish 'Bertie the Bass'. This is to highlight the waste of plastic within our seas. We then follow the cliff tops before descending to use the old tram line that use to take coal to Saundersfoot Quay. When we reach Saundersfoot beach we note that the tide is out so we can take a short cut across the beach to the harbour. Here we admire the boats in the marina and in particular the schooner that has been built to accommodate a museum of ships that use to visit Saundersfoot.
Next we head across mainly fields and woods and we stop to admire the wooden sculptors of animals that are in place at Allans View. From here we drop down on to Tenby beach and eventually have breakfast on Tenby Harbour. We escape the town of Tenby and walk along the long beach of Tenby South. Lydstep Haven is acquired next before we eventually arrive at the campsite of the YHA Manobier.
The next day, following a hearty breakfast at the YHA, we head back onto the trail of the Coast Path. As is the nature of costal paths we pass many inlets and coves as well as the more famous beaches including, Swanlake Bay, Freshwater East, Barafundle Bay and Broad Haven. Due to the Castlemartin firing range being active we head inland and discover the delights of Bosherston Lily Ponds. As we head further inland we discover the Castlemartin Range Trail. This takes us past the Merrion barracks where we also see two armoured tanks at the entrance to the camp.
From the entrance of the barracks we notice signs to the spectators viewing area for the range which we investigate. Eventually, after a long inland detour the path regains the coast and we next descend into the bay of Freshwater West. It is at this bay we discover Dobby's grave. On the grave there are many pebbles painted with pictures of Dobby and messages in remembrance of Dobby. It is at this beach that I decide to wild camp and enjoy the setting sun and the red sky.

[@alanwetherelt7155]

Yet another great watch , a wonderful walk to add to the list

[@AmblingTrails]

Thanks for the watch and comment, glad you enjoyed it Alan 👍🏼

[@holl]

Great video! What a beautiful path. Will definitely be doing this one after watching! :)

[@AmblingTrails]

Glad you enjoyed the video, and certainly worth doing the path. Thanks for watching.

[@joeking7707]

Beautiful part of the world! great video that brought back many good memories of that part of Wales thank you so much.

[@AmblingTrails]

Glad you enjoyed it, hope you enjoy the rest of the series. Thanks for the comment.

[@joshuajcoates]

Such a characterful walk! really enjoyed this

[@AmblingTrails]

Thanks Josh, really appreciate the watch and comment

[@andreamckay7085]

I thought the fish was cool. Loved Dobby’s resting place. Thanks for sharing your journey

[@AmblingTrails]

Totally agree and both were very unexpected which is one the things I love from being on the trails, discovering the unexpected! Thanks for the comment and I hope you enjoyed the rest of the series, which will be published on a Tuesday over the next few weeks. Cheers

[@vlcoates01]

I have to imagine the beaches were much busier this week! What an interesting trail which such different landscapes on offer!

[@AmblingTrails]

I’m sure your right😎! Thanks for the watch and appreciate the comment. Cheers

[@fiveinitaly]

Super video! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@AmblingTrails]

Thanks, always appreciate the support. Cheers 😁

[@catherinewalks1207]

Increasingly noting the irony of a channel named Ambling Trails which often sees you walking 20 miles + in a day - speed ambling. Another great watch though, looking forward to the next instalment.

[@AmblingTrails]

Ha, you guessed right 😁, I love irony! Thanks for the watch and insightful comment!

[@captainplanet1576]

I've been enjoying your videos in the series. I've recently finished the SWCP with my 9 year old son and we have been looking got something to fill the void it's left in us.

[@AmblingTrails]

That is awesome! Not got round to the SWCP but certainly on my to-do list. Just finishing the Great Ocean Walk in Aus and been recommending the PCP to everyone I meet as I think it’s one of the best, so hope you get chance. Thanks for sharing your story, always interested in what other hikers are doing. Cheers, Nigel

[@heatherread5314]

If you start at milford you miss loads. Just skip the milford to Pembroke bit. You can walk the castle Martin range at weekends and at other times. It's definitely worth it for scenery and st govens chaple

[@AmblingTrails]

Thanks Heather, certainly agree with your suggestions. ATB, Nigel

[@kennethcarter5720]

Great journey your doing. Presented well. I know from your other videos that you plan meticulously. What is the fresh water situation for the journey? Thanks

[@AmblingTrails]

Generally on the Wales costal path, the water situation is better than other trails. This is driven mainly by the fact there tends to be toilets at most beaches where you can get water. There is just one stretch towards the end that lacks water but I was able to filter water and use a YHA. This will section will be specifically highlighted in one of the later videos but the info provided above would get you by. Also, met some Polish hikers who actually just knocked on peoples door to ask for water and they told me they were amazed how friendly and helpful everyone was, not refused once! Hope that helps.

[@kennethcarter5720]

@@AmblingTrails thanks Nigel

[@ramiras3675]

Thank you ! Interesting video. I always go there too. You have a good pace, do you think it is possible to walk from Tenby to Pembroke in 4 days? And spend the night wild camp (not using campsites)

[@AmblingTrails]

Yes I do think it’s possible, the distance is 74k from Tenby to Pembroke, so 18.5k or 11.5 miles per day. Generally, I found wild camping on the PCP was reasonable good. Have a great adventure and I hope you enjoy the rest of the series. Cheers Nigel

[@ramiras3675]

@@AmblingTrails Thanks a lot! Yes, good shots and review of places.

[@brucejohnson2684]

We are hiking the trail in June this year, interested to know what map you were using in this video?

[@AmblingTrails]

Hi Bruce, the map I used was the Harvey map XT40 for the PCP. As it happens, this is quoted in the description of the trail review I did for this trail. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWXRp5avgq-KhdE In addition, worth getting a tide app as well, also mention in the video linked. It's a great trail and hopefully, you will find the rest of the series helpful as well. best of luck with your adventure in June. Cheers, Nigel

[@brucejohnson2684]

Thank you for your reply. I didn't mention but we are from Canada. I ordered the map and referred you as the reason. We are going to start at Pembrokeshire Dock and head north. We will then come back to the beginning of the trail and do a week back to Pembrokeshire Dock with our daughter that lives overseas. It has been a challenge to find accommodation for the second part or the trip as we would like to stay indoors with her. @@AmblingTrails

[@AmblingTrails]

Thanks Bruce, always interested in peoples back story. As I said before it’s a fabulous trail and hope all goes well with the travel plans. ATB Nigel

[@commiebastard3633]

Yeah, the trains are a disaster from Swansea to further West. Since privatisation, much worse.

[@AmblingTrails]

Yeah, agree with that one. Cheers