The trail starts in St Davids, heading south to St Non’s Chapel, the legendary birthplace of St David, featuring a holy well and a modern chapel built from salvaged ruins. The coastal path then winds past dramatic cliffs with views of Ramsey Island, often dotted with seals. Next is Porth Clais, a historic harbour with a seasonal café and facilities.

The route continues to St Justinian, home to a lifeboat station and boat trips to Ramsey Island. Wild ponies graze the headland, maintaining rare flora, while seals bask in the coves below. The path ends at Whitesands Bay, a stunning golden beach backed by cliffs and Carn Llidi peak. Facilities include toilets, a café, and a summer shuttle bus to St Davids.

From Whitesands Bay, the trail climbs past secluded coves like Porth Melgan before reaching the wild St David's Head peninsula, where Iron Age ruins and the 6,000-year-old Coetan Arthur burial chamber stand amid dramatic cliff-top views of Ramsey Sound and the Bishops and Clerks rocks. Seals often bask in the coves below while gannets and porpoises hunt offshore. The path continues to the peaceful cove of Aber-pwll before arriving at Abereiddy's striking Blue Lagoon, a flooded slate quarry with vivid blue-green waters, where public toilets and a seasonal ice cream van are available. Nearby Porthgain reveals its industrial past through massive brick hoppers, now complemented by excellent dining options like The Sloop Inn pub and The Shed's renowned fish and chips. Further along, the ruins of historic Trefin Mill mark the way to Abercastle, a picturesque fishing hamlet with harbour-side toilets, while walkers can detour uphill to Trefin village for refreshments at The Ship Inn or The Mill café.

From Abercastle, the coastal path climbs above dramatic cliffs through some of Pembrokeshire's most remote stretches, passing secluded Pwllstrodur beach before reaching the unspoiled twin beaches of Aber Mawr and Aber Bach. These tranquil pebble coves, backed by freshwater marshes, are prime seal-watching spots, especially in autumn when grey seals haul out on the shingle. A worthwhile 1km inland detour leads to Melin Tregwynt Woollen Mill, where a café serves breakfast, lunches, and local baked goods daily (Monday-Friday 9:30-17:00, weekends 10:00-17:00) - the only refreshment stop in this isolated area.

The landscape grows increasingly spectacular as the path approaches Pwll Deri, with towering cliffs at Pwllcrochan giving way to the seal-frequented cove of Porth Maenmelyn. Passing the ancient Iron Age fort of Dinas Mawr, the route climbs past volcanic hillocks and the sheltered valley of Pwll Arian before reaching the dramatic headland of Strumble. Here, the 1908 lighthouse stands sentinel on Ynys Meicel island, offering panoramic sea views and exceptional wildlife spotting - from resident seals and porpoises to migrating dolphins, whales, and seabirds like fulmars and guillemots.

East of Strumble Head, the path traces breathtaking clifftops with views to Cemaes Head, passing remote bays and the isolated Penrhyn holiday cottage. At Carregwastad Point, a monument marks Britain's last invasion site, where French forces landed in 1797 before surrendering at Goodwick. The final stretch winds through the wooded Cwm Felin valley before descending to Goodwick's amenities, completing this wild section of coastal walking.

The trail departs Goodwick Harbour into one of Pembrokeshire’s most challenging stretches—20km with steep climbs and no facilities until Newport. Passing Lower Town’s ancient volcanic cliffs, it reaches Fishguard Fort, where the Royal Oak Inn displays artifacts from Britain’s 1797 invasion. The path then traverses sheltered hedgerows before ascending exposed clifftops with 470-million-year-old rock formations.

A steep descent leads to Pwllgwaelod’s cove (The Old Sailors Pub, toilets) and a detour to Bryn-henllan’s gallery-café. Walkers can shortcut across Dinas Island or tackle the full route around Dinas Head, summiting Pen-y-Fan (142m) for views of Cardigan Bay and the Preseli Hills. Seabirds nest along cliffs overlooking Needle Rock.

The path drops to Cwm-yr-Eglwys, where storm-wrecked St. Brynach’s Church ruins stand, then winds past Aber Bach’s pebble beach to Newport Sands (toilets, showers, seasonal café). Finally, Parrog’s historic harbor offers waterfront dining at Morawelon Café, while Newport town provides pubs, shops, and resupply options.

The 20km stretch from Newport to Poppit offers no en-route refreshments, demanding proper preparation. The trail begins gently along the River Nevern before climbing steep cliffs—accumulating over 915m of ascent—past Pembrokeshire’s highest coastal drops. Highlights include the thunderous Witches’ Cauldron blowhole and Ceibwr Bay’s folded rock formations, where seals gather August-November. A 1km detour leads to Moylgrove’s toilets and Penrallt Garden Centre café, with infrequent buses to St Dogmaels (timetable: pembrokeshire.gov.uk/bus-routes).

The path’s toughest challenge comes at Pwllygranant ravine before revealing Pen yr Afr’s spectacular geological folds. Victorian coastguard ruins crown Traeth Godir Coch, offering dolphin-spotting vistas. Cemaes Head’s 175m cliffs host Wales’ largest grey seal colony and nesting seabirds. Approaching Poppit, dunes lead to the Blue Flag beach (toilets, Crwst café). The finale at St Dogmaels features the Ferry Inn’s endpoint marker, 12th-century Y Felin watermill’s tearoom, and Coach House Heritage Centre’s Celtic stones—a perfect celebration after this dramatic coastal trek.